October 3rd, 2014
October 5, 2014 is World Teachers’ Day. This year, we celebrate teachers who educate our students to be better global citizens and to respect cultural diversity with the theme “Invest in the Future, Invest in Teachers”.
Ontario is home to citizens from around the world and that makes diversity one of the greatest strengths of Ontario’s public schools. Students are exposed to all the cultures that make Canada such a unique and vibrant place to live. And with the encouragement of their teachers and school support staff, students learn the importance of understanding, embracing diversity and working together. It’s good for Ontario. It’s good for our future.
World Teachers’ Day is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of educators in our communities and around the world in creating a better future for all students. Teachers are the cornerstones of our public education system which, in turn, is the cornerstone of a civil society. They play a vital role in preparing our young people in their development as caring, honest and industrious human beings and are active agents and advocates for the transformation of a global society into a better place for all.
Today we recognize the contributions made by teachers throughout the world and within our own Region. We would also like to recognize the efforts of all of our support staff in the Waterloo Region District School Board. Their many efforts to support our teaching staff and students help to ensure that an outstanding education system continues to exist within the Region.
We must remember that the example we set is not the main thing influencing others, it is the only thing. Each of us, individually and collectively, has a tremendous influence on how we choose to shape our society for future generations.
Thank you for all you do for our students and for the future!
Ted Martin, Chairperson, WRDSB
John Bryant, Director of Education
Nathan Core, President ETFO Waterloo OTs
Sherry Freund, President OSSTF District 24 TBU
Greg Weiler, President ETFO-WRTL