Friday is World Teachers’ Day in NSW, an annual date set aside to recognise the regular contributions of the state’s educators.
Currently, NSW’s home to more than 170,000 primary, secondary and early childhood educators.
Teachers in all sectors from both city and regional areas were being recognised for their efforts on 27 October, in a campaign asking students to identify a “gem” of a teacher.
Using the hashtag #WTD2023, pupils are nominating their favourite teacher and sending notes of appreciation to the Education Standards NSW website.
The entries are then converted into an interactive map.
By noon, the site featured more than 7,400 messages of appreciation for teachers across NSW.
For Muswellbrook recent teaching graduate Meg Southcombe, the date presents an opportunity to feel proud of an occupation she is passionate about.
“It’s a day to celebrate diversity in the education sector and department,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“We’re all trying to educate future generations, but this role is about so much more than just learning algorithms and times tables.”
Meg completed her teaching degree at the University of Newcastle this month.
The 20-year-old is planning to undertake an honours degree, which she hopes to have completed by 2025.
Her goal is to teach Health and Physical Education at high school level.
She has completed several practical teaching experiences.
“At Uni we do simulation classroom teaching as part of the course, it’s great but there’s nothing better than being with real kids and watching their faces when they achieve something, or learn something new,” Meg said.
“I absolutely love getting involved in teaching.”
Meg has been a guest speaker at several educational events thanks to her experiences as a student at a unique “cluster-school” model of learning at St Joseph’s High School in Aberdeen.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a teacher in the Catholic, public, or independent sector, you’re part-time, casual, university… they’re all crucial in a child’s life,” she explained.
“Each teacher inspires the future every day.
“I think it’s important we recognise and celebrate that.”
Meg says she has witnessed a change in teaching in the past few years.
“Experienced teachers are really embracing the learning of us graduates,” she said.
“They’re actively seeking out new ideas and they understand the need for a shift toward a holistic approach to wellbeing for better outcomes for schools.
“The future is looking bright.”
World Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year on 5 October. As this date is within the school holidays, NSW celebrates on the last Friday of October.
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