World Teachers’ Day

When is World Teachers’ Day?

Teachers are among the world’s most respected professionals, and for good reason. To commemorate the importance of teaching, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day every October 5^th. This not only gives students the opportunity to honor their favorite teachers, but the holiday also increases awareness of the importance of quality education worldwide.

History of Teachers’ Day

Educators make an impact every day. This impact may seem small at first, which is why many students don’t realize the significance their former teachers had on their lives until many years later. In order to recognize the impacts of teachers today, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) developed World Teachers’ Day. It was first held on October 5, 1994.

Today, World Teachers’ Day is celebrated on every continent, with more than 100 countries actively participating in the holiday. Despite the high participation rate, not every country celebrates this holiday yet. This is especially the case in some developing countries, where public education is just now becoming an initiative. UNESCO has an open invitation for countries that don’t yet participate in World Teachers’ Day.

Celebrating Teachers and Education

UNESCO is the leading organizer of World Teachers’ Day. In addition, individual national teaching organizations also help to advertise the annual observations and events. In the United States, this includes the National Education Association (NEA). While not a public holiday, World Teachers’ Day gives students and parents the opportunity to celebrate by showing appreciation for the educators in their lives. Depending on seasonal schedules, some regions may hold separate holidays to celebrate teachers so they may be observed when school is still in session. Events may also take place on a different day if the holiday falls on a weekend.

The way people celebrate World Teachers’ Day varies. Students of all ages often make or purchase cards to give to their favorite teachers. Adults may recall a favorite teacher and send them an email to show their appreciation. Apples are common symbols for the holiday.

While celebration and appreciation are certainly large components of this holiday, UNESCO has also taken advantage of the attention given to World Teachers’ Day to help set up the future of education. This is why you may see increased efforts for teacher recruitment on or around October 5^th. Today’s teachers are important in educating today’s students, but the world requires quality educators for future students. Numerous resources are available on World Teachers’ Day to help recruit professionals for certain subjects, as well as for specific higher education programs to train teachers.

Global Impacts of Teaching

World Teachers’ Day also means more than just celebrating the roles of teachers and education in your life. On a larger scale, this holiday also celebrates the global impacts of quality teaching. Education is proven as just one of the ways to beat poverty, which in turn leads to better job opportunities and quality of life. Furthermore, teachers help children understand the world around them; learning is therefore linked to increased empathy and reduced oppression. Such points are even more endearing as the world becomes more of a global community each and every day.