Yo Teach! Shout Out To All The Educators On World Teacher’s Day

Today is World Teacher’s Day - celebrated on the last Friday of October in Australia - yet the worth of a teacher has been debated for years.

Policy-makers throw around figures whilst others suggest no numerical measure can accurately represent a teacher’s potential contribution to society.

Their exposure to impressionable minds gives them the ability to impact so many that their professional choices can change the fate of the world. However, regardless of whether you're saying they are just a teacher or more than a teacher, we are fundamentally still comparing what is an incomparable job.

There are two types of people that will be there during moments of impact: your parents and your teachers. One has an obligation formed by familial love and an eternal connection. The other has chosen to take on a role of influence and pressure for a few of your formative years.

Teachers give us knowledge and in turn, they give us power. The knowledge they impart goes beyond the curriculum. That's why I believe the word ‘teacher’ needs a connotative revamp.

Teachers teach you ‘The Force’... of education.

They have the power to change nations: after all, a country's ability to improve is proportionate to its literate population.

Globally, over 40 years, income per capita would be 23 per cent higher in a country with more equal education. A teacher is the messenger of a quality, equal education. Evidence from the EFA Global Monitoring Report shows that for every $US1 spent on education, between $US10 and $US15 would be generated in economic growth.

They also teach us that learning never stops and can be weird, wacky or wonderful.

A teacher will help to mould you. They introduce us to a whole, new world.

I may forget the booming voice of Mr. W, and the monotones of Mr. K but, I will always remember when Mrs. E introduced me to Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier or when Mr. H introduced me to Doctor Who and the brilliance of The Weeping Angels.

So no more, "just a teacher".

A teacher is a teacher and it’s a profession with enough value and glory that no other can be compared.

Cassie Ngurah is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. Learn more about our contributors program.