Innovative teachers of the new generation: Well-educated students will set the best example

As the original texts are written in Turkish, English translation is provided for non-Turkish readers. The author apologizes in advance for any and all possible changes and losses in meaning due to translation.

Today is a special day. Every year we celebrate the 24^th of November to remember our teachers and pay respect to them. On one hand, we remember our own teachers and on the other, we consider the day as a chance to show our gratitude, love and respect to the teachers of our children, if we have any. Or if we are teachers, we hear from our past students and also enjoy the chirping of those we still teach: “Happy Teacher’s Day!” That’s all good. But sadly, teaching as a profession is still very far away from the point that it deserves to be. We have not yet been able to provide our teachers, the architects of today and tomorrow, with an environment where they will have no other concern than to teach and educate. However, none of these facts can damage the importance of this profession. So, what is the definition of “the best teacher” to me and what is the first and foremost reason for attaching such great importance to teaching?

In my opinion, the best teacher is the one who is always open to innovations, who sticks to this habit even in age of maturity and never closes the doors for what’s new. Access to information is very easy for today’s children, I realize this best when I listen and talk to my kids. Therefore, I do not and cannot ever be contented with what I teach them myself.

The best example so far for our teachers is, of course, Atatürk – the leader who established the foundations of this opportunity for them. But in fact, we have not seen the best examples yet. The best example will be the next generation. Why? Because the new generation is a modern one, seeing innovation neither as a risk nor a reason for fear. That will be our greatest luck. We always talk about the great potential of Turkey. Unless we have teachers to turn this potential into value for the individuals and the society, that potential will remain unproductive. Thus, innovative teachers who teach and encourage students to think with an innovative perspective will be the greatest fortune for us. One day, when we actively participate in space studies as a country, we should remember that our teachers, to whom our parents first entrusted us as young children, have played a great role in this success.

Happy Teacher’s Day.