A Red Carpet and a Blueprint!

A young teacher, one of whom I am mentoring, has been awarded, among other teachers, the Ministry of Education Excellent Teacher Award in a grand ceremony, that was held on October 17, 2019. The ceremony has taken place in resonance with World Teacher Day, in a recent plan of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education, not only to train teachers professionally, but also to recognize them as pillars in the educational field.

I was not surprised at the outstanding result because for multiple years, I have been working with hundreds of educators - teachers, heads of subject departments, administrative staff, and decision makers, and there were traceable remarks at how they act and interact, either creating pipelines of opportunities for learning and developing their full potential, or dissipating efforts and evaporating expectations and ardor!

Recently, robust studies have been undertaken to determine the status of the teaching profession in the context of the dense requirements of 21st century teaching and learning and the critical social, economic, and political conditions surrounding teachers all over the world. The studies were oriented towards discovering the link between teaching impact on learners, viewed through PISA scores, and teachers’ pay according to regions and countries. One of the uncovered facts was teachers’ overall status in comparison to other professions. Teaching is the mother of all other professions- No doctors, engineers, scientists, could have existed without: TEACHERS! Fortunately, the discussions resulted in many positive outcomes, one of which is awarding exceptional teachers in many regions around the world.

Ministries of education and educational bodies worldwide have studied and designed strategic plans to enhance teachers’ performance and bridge the gaps, forming solid, clear, and task-driven platforms that promote engagement and sustainable growth. For this complex process, a set of criteria was established, each organization depicting its vision and mission statements, but all concurring two major assets: commitment, and professional development of the teachers.

According to the Saudi MoE criteria, an excellent teacher can qualify if he/she not only excels at classroom management, pedagogy and assessment, but also undertakes his/her profession to new insights. Being an active community member, with integrity and dedication to a higher vision, is another vital factor that accelerates opportunity to be awarded as an excellent teacher in KSA. Researching and presenting workshops are also two essential criteria for qualifying for this recognition, making the criteria authentic, recognizing teachers who are truly dedicated in action and word, strategically planning to be effective as teachers and school community members. Additionally, many shortlisted teachers are nominated to be winners of The Global Teacher Prize, awarded by the Varkey Foundation under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates UAE. The prize is also endorsed by Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan.

The United States of America awards teachers in several ways, one of which is National Teacher of the Year award presented by The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). One fundamental key concept alongside defining and measuring student success is supporting and elevating teachers as stated by CCSSO Executive Director Carissa Moffat Miller, as part of the equity measures taken in public schools, capturing thus the sense of purpose behind the council. Strengthening teachers is one of the core responsibilities in terms of professional development and funding. The National Teacher of the Year Program as an award started in 1952 and every year it “brings together State Teachers of the year from the 50 states, U.S. territories, DC, and the Department of Defense Education Activity for a year of professional learning, and facilitates the selection of the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY).“ Another award in USA is Sanford Teacher Award, which rewards top inspiring teachers, is based on five keys: engaging students, building confidence, creating an inclusive environment, motivating students to succeed, and giving students a voice. Sanford Programs also recognize top teachers with $10,000 each and for the winner a grand prize of $50,000!

The UK also recognizes inspiring teachers that support talented children, such as Oxford Inspirational Teacher Award. Criteria range from fueling learners’ enthusiasm about the subjects, exceeding effort and capacity to support learners, motivating learners to reach their full potential, to empowering learners to apply to Oxford with determination and success, and other supplementary points of excellence. Pearson National Teaching Awards are another sample of expressing appreciation and encouragement to the profession. The updated trophy represents people in their path towards growth and hope reaped from good practices, impacting lives. Thank a Teacher, supported by the Department for Education, recognizes teachers’ enormous efforts in a different way, by sending a teacher of choice a “Thank You Card”! What is more precious than receiving a personal, published Thank You message from a learner, who shows attention to your efforts, when they have been sometimes unnoticed !

Australia recognizes teachers, too, through a grand prize, the Australian Education Awards, that offer grand trophies to excellent teachers, as well as schools, principals and Heads of Departments. The prize also offers an additional award for curriculum programs, such as STEM, innovation, and technology. Teachers’ efforts and dedication, topped with innovation, are therefore prestigiously highlighted for the entire nation to honor! Another type of award is BHP Foundation Science and Engineering Award, which recognizes teachers’ excellence and “their support of open-ended student investigations”, fostering resources and capacity for better performance.”

South Africa combines the view of excellent teachers in terms of pedagogy to that of youth support, and issues the National Teachers Award NTA. Genuine attention to excellence based on capacity, rather than age and/or socio-economic conditions, characterized the NTA, which as many other awards, undertakes two or more stages before teachers are selected. The focus is also on students’ high pass rates, shedding light on a clear direction: improving learners’ performance.

India, the country that illustrates perseverance and IT prowess, celebrates excellent teachers through Alert Knowledge Service AKS, which offers Global Teacher Award, identifying exceptional teachers, who have an enormous impact in their learning communities.

However, the Debris:

(What would deter teachers from being eligible for national teacher awards nominations or education systems from awarding exceptional teachers?)

1. Governmental Factors: Although many governments officially provide winner teachers with tremendous sums of money as a component of the award, there are many governments that cannot or do not offer the opportunity of nationally and festively recognizing their excellent teachers.

2. Personal Factors: Whilst many teachers strive for excellence and recognition, many others choose to remain in the back rows, due to several reasons, such as fear of success (achievemphobia), lack of self-motivation and perseverance, and/or dissipation of efforts.

3. Societal Factors: School leadership sometimes fails to get teachers engaged in the entire competitive, ever-growing nature of teaching and learning. Family responsibilities sometimes hinder the improvement of teachers, who are more absorbed in family or personal matters, ignoring thus the shining opportunities of being celebrated as an excellent teacher.

Brun & Dugas, 2008, say that employee recognition, teachers included, is an essential element to enhance motivation, and therefore advancement and growth. National awards have a tremendous impact on teachers, especially when they are at a high scale, the national, and even at a higher scale, the global!

With the growing years, observations of teachers have been naturally sharpened, and one is assured that, when there is a will, there is a way, which educators and employees, can dig through to reach their achievements. It is the aspiration that he or she strikes, that sets him or her on the path with all its steps, whether tough or smooth... The positive boomerang effect for being: an exceptional teacher !