A James Cook University Professor is asking all students to bring a smile to the classroom for World Teachers' Day on Friday.
Professor Peter Leggat from JCU's Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators.
He said JCU is enthusiastically celebrating World Teachers' Day, which this year is focused on the theme Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future.
Professor Leggat said it is a reminder of the additional challenges of COVID-19 to teachers in schools and universities.
"Every day Queensland teachers are making a positive difference – creating opportunities for their students, empowering the minds of young people and proudly teaching our state's future leaders, innovators and influencers," said Professor Leggat.
He said JCU is committed to producing top-quality teaching professionals for our schools, but it was important that their communities supported them too.
"It would be nice if parents and students could show their appreciation in some way to their teacher on Friday. It doesn't have to be the traditional apple - a smile, or simple "thank you", might be sufficient to make a teacher's day," he said.
Lorraine Cordukes, a Senior Lecturer in Education, said JCU offers world-class teacher education and has forged dynamic partnerships with schools throughout North and Far North Queensland and beyond.
"Staff and programs are committed to preparing graduates to teach in the tropics and beyond, with a focus on Rural and Remote, Sustainability and Indigenous Education," she said.
Professor Leggat said JCU is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and World Teachers' Day has become the occasion to mark progress on the goal of 'ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all'.
Background
Internationally, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrates World Teachers' Day on 5 October 2020. As this falls within school holidays, the celebration takes place on the last Friday of October each year in Australia. Schools around Queensland will celebrate World Teachers' Day in some way and more information on this can be found at: https://www.worldteachersday.com.au and #ThankQldTeachers
Professor Peter Leggat, AM, ADC, joined JCU more than 28 years ago and has promoted World Teachers' Day for the past 15 years. He was elected as a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators in 2007 and is the new JCU Deputy Chair of Academic Board.
Lorraine Cordukes began her teaching career many years ago and has taught across Australia, overseas and at JCU for the past 18 years. In schools, she promoted World Teachers' Day and, during her time at JCU, celebrated World Teachers' Day to pay tribute to the work of staff involved in the preparation of the teaching profession of the future.
