The Heart of the Education System

Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques.
The teacher is the heart of the educational system.

SIDNEY HOOK

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Thursday, October 5 is World Teacher's Day, and indeed, teachers are the heart of education.  Without teachers, educators, and trainers guiding your growth and developmental journey, you could not have become the person and leader you are today.

And while as the husband of an award-winning and amazing elementary school teacher and the father of twin eight-year-old boys I want to celebrate this day; I am very concerned. 

Many good teachers are leaving the profession they love, and fewer young people aspire to become teachers—and for good reasons.  School teachers are facing an onslaught of challenges like never before.  That's why this year's World Teacher's Day theme is:

The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage.

I still find it hard to believe that my wife and teachers all over the US have to attend required active-shooter trainings before school even starts, drill for nightmarish scenarios with police, and then drill their students off and on throughout the school year.  The rampant gun violence in our country and its impact on our educational systems are a failure of leadership, and of ourselves as voter/citizens, at every level of our threatened democracy.

In addition, new laws regularly restrict what and how educators teach.   Book-bans that are contrary to a democratic society and to education thwart access to  literary classics.  Cuts in funding strip away vital education resources and lower teacher salaries.   We’re facing a dangerous time when even schools with plenty of funding still may not be able to find qualified teachers willing to stay in the classroom.

And while these may be mine and others' concerns about what challenges teachers, when you ask teachers—and TeacherVision did—here's what they report:

• 70% of teachers are worried their students are behind where they should be
• Handling stress was the biggest challenge for 55% of teachers
• 45% of teachers are struggling with their own wellbeing and work/life balance
• 40% of teachers admitted to finding it difficult to stay motivated and inspired

This World Teachers’ Day, join the global mobilization calling on governments and officials everywhere to invest in teachers, quality public education, gun safety, and the fight against poverty and; use your power to vote for leaders who value teachers, education, our children, and our future. 

That's how you show teacher appreciation! 

Image courtesy of About Education International (click the image to go to their website to learn more)

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Have an amazing journey today!

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Alan Mikolaj is a coach and leadership development consultant with 15+ years of experience.  He is passionate about helping leaders transform their leadership, their teams, and their organizations.  Impactful, professional approach driven by a passion for meaning and purpose, a growth mindset, and a commitment to excellence and service in order to drive change and results.
Alan maintains the ethics and standards of behavior established by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), including the standards regarding confidentiality.  You can learn more about them on the ICF website.
Transformational change starts with a conversation!
Alan is on a mission to partner with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world.
Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan
Or call or email me: Contact Page

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