As board Chair, I would like to join the rest of the trustees in recognizing our teachers in School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) on this very special occasion – World Teacher’s Day, Oct. 5, 2014.
I would also like to share some thoughts about the challenges and importance of teaching in today’s world.
Education has changed immeasurably since many of us were in school. We expect our teachers to teach everything that seems familiar from our own education in addition to all that is new. It’s a tall order, but one that the teachers of SD52 are infinitely able to take on.
Every day we are reminded of the enormity of their task as they build confidence in 20 or 30 students at a time in mathematics, science, language arts, the arts, health and physical education — not to mention keeping the students current with trends in technology and in learning how to be socially responsible human beings. They design and deliver instruction that helps students become self-regulated, collaborative, creative, and culturally aware.
We ask a lot of our teachers and they deliver.
Our teachers practice ongoing professional development in order to keep abreast of the needs of our students in addition to collaborating and co-teaching with their peers. The work has become increasingly multifaceted as teachers strive to meet the individual needs of every student. Our classrooms are no longer “one size fits all” and the thoughtful, creative planning and delivery of complex curricula takes a very special kind of individual.
Please join me in thanking our teachers for their efforts with our children.
-Tina Last, Board Chair of School District No. 52