A James Cook University Professor is asking all students to bring a smile to the classroom for World Teachers' Day on Friday.
JCU's Professor Peter Leggat from Public Health and Tropical 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 at the heart of education recovery", which focuses on the additional challenges COVID-19 poses for 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," he said.
Professor Leggat said JCU is committed to producing top-quality teaching professionals for our schools as well as professionals in many different disciplines, 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, an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Education said JCU offers world-class teacher education programs and has forged dynamic partnerships with schools throughout North and Far North Queensland and beyond.
"Education staff at JCU and our programs are committed to preparing graduates to teach in the tropics and beyond, with a focus on Rural and Remote Education, and Indigenous Education," she said.
The Head of Education, Associate Professor Leanne Dalley, said "the high quality of JCU Education graduates is widely recognised by our stakeholders". JCU graduates are "highly regarded by employers across all sectors; they are seen to be 'classroom-ready'."
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'.
