Dear teachers,
On this World Teachers’ Day, we are celebrating your hard work, dedication and passion for the profession. Your unwavering commitment to the students in our schools is clear in all the work you do and is appreciated each day.
With every lesson, you are sharing important skills that go beyond the classroom and are shaping the young leaders of tomorrow. Your contributions are invaluable and make the Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District a great place to learn and grow.
This year’s celebrations come during an unprecedented global teacher shortage. The theme for World Teachers’ Day 2023 is “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage.” The theme highlights the importance of supporting our current teachers and stresses the need for more qualified educators. Our district, like many others, is feeling the pressure of these staffing shortages, and looks for every available opportunity to recruit and retain new teachers.
In this context, I would like to reiterate my deep appreciation to each of the teachers who have stepped forward in the past several years to sponsor practicum students in our district. This is important work as many of these practicum students later apply for positions in our schools, helping to alleviate the staffing shortages we are facing. There is perhaps no greater testament to the immeasurable value of qualified teaching staff than the immense strain on the system when shortages occur.
Teachers, your contributions extend beyond mere instruction. Today and every day, I am grateful for the work you do to support students inside and outside of our classrooms.
With gratitude,
Harry Dhillon