Teachers at Pope John Paul II didn’t really mind that some of their students weren’t in class on Oct. 6.
Out in the hallways members of the high school’s Executive Leadership Council were going from class to class with a trolley of coffee, doughnuts and thank-you cards as part of their annual World Teachers Day celebrations.
“We always help large charities and multinational corporations, but often forget about things close to home,” says Rachelle D’Souza, 17, president of the leadership group.
D’Souza and other council members organized the coffee run with financial assistance from the main office. She says sometimes our parents and teachers aren’t always well received even if they are looking out for our best interests.
This was one way to say thank you.
“It was really nice to start your Monday with a coffee,” says Louis Brighton, vice-principal.
Thousands of organizations and over 100 countries celebrate World Teachers Day every year. It was started by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Every year an issue affecting education is highlighted. This year’s theme, “Teachers change your life,” focused on professional training for quality education.
According to the Educational International web page, teachers’ unions internationally are asking public authorities to develop and provide adequate training.
A source at the Toronto District Catholic School Board said while no board-wide celebrations were in place, schools were free to recognize the occasion however they saw fit.
The board did send out a thank you email, however.
“Teachers work very, very hard and sometimes the audience isn’t as receptive as we’d like them to be,” Brighton says. “It’s nice to show teachers they are appreciated.”
Teachers at John Paul II were also celebrated in a low-key ceremony last week. Brighton says it is important to thank educators for their year round hard work.
“I don’t think teachers expect to get anything tangible, but saying thank you is nice,” Brighton explains.
D’Souza says the council is “always expanding” their plans and wants to do something bigger for next year’s coffee-run. She adds they went from one trolley last year to two this year, as well as adding the thank-you cards.
Like most grade 12 students she is gearing up for the university and college application process, which starts in one month. She is considering becoming a teacher.