Recasting Teaching As A Collaborative Profession

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite imagination, and instill love for learning.” – Brad Henry. The teaching profession is oftentimes referred to as the noble profession yet there is nothing noble regarding how teachers are treated. Teachers play vital roles in education systems, spearheading learning, inclusion, and modernism in schools and societies. However many teachers work without collaborative structures to support their pedagogy, agency, professionalism or well-being. In many education systems, the profession remains marked by isolation, fragmented structures and limited opportunities to build networks with peers, mentors and ineffective school leaders, affecting both student outcome and teacher retention. World Teachers’ Day is held annually on October 5 to celebrate all teachers around the globe. The day is set aside to celebrate how teachers are transforming education but also to reflect on the support they need to fully execute their talent and vocation, and to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally. Many countries around the world struggle with a shortage of teachers. This happens because teachers do not receive enough training, work in poor conditions, and do not earn enough money. In many societies the teaching profession is deeply rooted in a culture of disrespect and nepotism. As a result, many teachers work for years and are overlooked for promotion. Promotion is oftentimes based on emotions. The whim and fancy approach to promotion is also endorsed by those who should know better. In the era where teachers are singled out for voicing their concerns bullying is pervasive in the education system. Some teachers are sidelined because they share a difference of opinion. Unfortunately, in this toxic educational environment, guess who suffers in the middle, and long term. Yes, you guess correctly. The students, the future of our world are the ones who are disenfranchised and who will continue to be in the foreseeable future unless changes are made. The teaching profession is not viewed as attractive by students. Interestingly, Nirma¬la Sesnarayan, a Trinidadian teacher found the courage to bring a case against the Ministry of Education regarding the delay in her appointment. Sesnarayan was, two weeks ago, awarded $800,000 in damages, the High Court finding that her constitutional rights had been violated when she was unfairly denied promotion to Teacher III despite holding the same qualifications as colleagues who advanced. The court noted that the claimant endured five years of delay, constantly checking on the status of her application and transcripts. Nirmala Sesnarayan’s bravery should be celebrated this World Teachers' Day. Her story of determination and bravery should serve as an inspiration for all teachers, not only for those of us in the Caribbean but globally. Teachers need to fight for what they believe is just and fair. The system is unfair and lacks integrity and there lies a significant part of the problem. Many teachers are discriminated against. Those who continue to pursue such discriminatory policies against teachers must remember there is a God and that a day of reckoning is coming. History of World Teachers Day. World Teachers’ Day is a day of awareness celebrated globally on October 5 of each year. Founded in 1994, this day marks the anniversary of the 1966 Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers, an international document establishing the rights and responsibilities of teachers. World Teachers’ Day is a celebration of the role of teachers in shaping young minds and safeguarding personal, national, and international education into the future. The day is also set aside to discuss and attempt to find remedies for the numerous problems facing education. Three organizations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the International Labour Organization (ILO); and the International Bureau of Education decided to officially acknowledge the role of teachers in guarding and improving the future. On October 5, 1966, these organizations published the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers. This document established global expectations for the rights and duties of teachers. It ensured that teachers would be properly qualified, selected, and compensated for their important work. It also included protections of children’s right to education. Undoubtedly, many heralded the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers as a landmark document. It both honored and empowered teachers and made it clear that proper education was essential for the improvement of world civilization. In 1994, supporters of the document declared a new day of celebration called World Teacher’s Day. This day would be noted each October 5 to honour the groundbreaking document. It would also recognize and celebrate the teachers at the core of the document. Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession. As the international community reflects on the global theme of “Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession" on World Teachers’ Day we must be mindful of the varied barriers many of which are systemic and historical in nature that are working to prevent teaching as a collaborative profession. Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession reflects an educational philosophy that places premium on respectful critique and gentle scaffolding of teachers. Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession means embarking on a paradigm shift away from the traditional model of isolated classroom instruction toward a dynamic, team-based approach where educators work together to improve student outcomes, share expertise, and support each other’s growth. In other words, teaching as a collaborative profession embraces a culture of transformational leadership. Regrettably, this culture of transformational leadership is absent in many schools both at the primary and secondary levels. Recasting teaching as collaborative also means redefining school culture. Too many school cultures are toxic and silent on issues such as bullying and lack inclusivity. The culture in too many of our schools support a teacher centered approach and this is quite unfortunate. This cultural shift requires leadership that values and models collaboration. Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession also means the head teacher should be the main instructional leader rooted in a culture of respect, accountability and transparency. Perhaps, it is only in a utopian society that all these best practices will be achieved. Collaboration should be emphasized for many reasons to include reducing teacher burn out. The construction of timetables oftentimes is done not with the mental health of teachers in mind, but to cater to special interest groups which invariably negatively impacts all stakeholders. Teaching can be emotionally and mentally taxing. A collaborative environment fosters shared responsibility and emotional support. When teachers collaborate, they can co-design lessons, analyze student data, and implement strategies that are more effective than working alone. Unquestionably, the positives of teaching as a collaborative profession outweigh the disadvantages. On this World Teachers’ Day, let us call on governments, partners and the international community to make a collective commitment to ensure that collaboration is recognized as a norm within the global education systems. Let us recommit to make the education system a space for fairness and inclusivity that inspires growth and development. We must at all times be mindful that the students are the sole reasons why we are in this space as teachers. Let us create a space that amplifies the voices of teachers in educational decision-making processes. It is only when the voices of teachers are heard and actioned that we will see improvements in the education system. Finally, let us ask for forgiveness for the wrongs we have done and work towards making the wrongs right in the sight of man and God. It is only through self reflection and forgiveness that collaboration will reap the benefits of transformational success in global education systems. Happy World Teachers’ Day. In the words of Nirma¬la Sesnarayan, they will try to deter you, but you must stand up for yourselves. You mould society yet they treat you like nothing. Get what is yours.” Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #WorldTeachersDay