Minister Thanks Teachers on World Teacher Day

Teachers inspire, cajole, delight, discipline and challenge. The lessons they teach us cover the three Rs and more. By their example and their counsel, we learn valuable lessons in life.

Today, Oct. 5, is World Teacher Day, a day to say thank you to the people who influence so many young lives each day. Teachers are more than classroom instructors, they are also mentors and leaders for our children, said Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison.

"Teachers have enormous responsibility. They influence every aspect of student life: classroom learning, extracurricular activity and social development," he said. "Teachers take that responsibility seriously, and are continually engaged in professional upgrading and self-improvement. They're lifelong learners with a serious commitment to their students."

Proof of that commitment was evident in teachers' participation in this year's Summer Institutes. Hundreds of teachers signed up for summer courses ranging from Internet publishing to entrepreneurship.

Marg Forbes, president of the Nova Scotia School Boards Association, said we all remember a teacher who inspired us in some way. "Teachers are the backbone of our education system. Almost everyone can recall the impact a special teacher has had on his or her life. The school boards association supports teachers in the very important work they do and we salute them on World Teacher Day."

Students are obviously responding to their teachers' dedicated efforts. Statistics in Nova Scotia show the number of students who graduate high school continues to rise each year.

Initiated by UNESCO, World Teacher Day was proclaimed in Nova Scotia in 1995.

"World Teacher Day is a great opportunity to thank teachers for the work they do so well, each and every day, in our children's classrooms," said Mr. Harrison.