Teachers: leadership in crisis reimagining the future

Cyprus International University (CIU), Faculty of Education Academic Staff Assist. Prof. Dr. Şerife Özbiler, spoke within the scope of 5th October, World Teacher’s Day. Özbilir underlined that due to the Covid-19 epidemic, there is a worldwide crisis being experienced and that in this crisis environment, teacher’s have taken on a very important role.

World Teacher’s Day, which was set by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), announced this year's theme as “Teachers: Leadership in Crisis Reimagining the Future” confirmed Özbiler. “Covid-19, which unexpectedly entered our lives in December 2019 and caused many changes in our lives, caused a number of changes in the formal education system and teacher roles, as in all areas" she continued.

Providing information on the recommendations made by UNESCO for the long-term durability of the education system and strong planning, Assist. Prof. Dr. Özbiler stated; “one of the tasks of teachers and school administrators, is to lead the way in how to mitigate the effects on education and training during and after the crisis.”

Defining leader educators as people who have a very strong pedagogical expertise, field and general cultural knowledge, capable of innovation, management and effectiveness in the classroom, at both school and society levels, Özbiler also stressed the importance of teachers who are effective leaders having problem solving, critical thinking and innovation skills.

Özbiler also underlined that the society needs leading teachers to continue to work effectively, and noted that the World Teachers' Day sheds light on this fact. Reminding that teachers should not only focus on the academic success of students during this challenging Covid-19 epidemic process, Özbiler stated that it is important that they lead the classroom, school and community systems with different teaching methods, which also support the adaptation processes.