Celebrating Teachers on World Teacher Day

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten in celebration of World Teachers’ Day, designated by UNESCO and Education International:

"Nearly everyone has a teacher they remember—someone who nurtured them, counseled them, and taught them something they’ve never forgotten. As the professionals in our classrooms every day, teachers do so much more than administer tests and grade assignments. They build their students up. They keep them safe. They empower them to think critically and ask questions, and to consider futures they may otherwise have deemed impossible.

“This past year, educators across this country walked out for their students and their schools and, in doing so, reminded a nation of the power of teacher voice. On World Teachers’ Day, we hear those voices around the globe in chorus—standing up for learning, tolerance and the values that bring communities closer together.”