The importance of professional development for teachers is increasing at a time when learning tools are changing at an unprecedented pace, and access to knowledge is easier than ever. From experience and monitoring of the reality of education, I believe that the biggest challenge today is not the lack of information, as knowledge has become available to everyone, but rather our ability to prepare teachers who help students think properly, choose the right information, and convert knowledge into skills, behavior, and practice. Experience has shown that any educational development project cannot achieve its goals unless the teacher is an active partner in the development process.
Educational excellence initiatives, led by the Queen Rania Al-Abdullah Award for Educational Excellence, have contributed to highlighting shining examples of teachers who have made a real impact in classrooms, confirming that the quality of education starts with the teacher and their daily practices and ability to innovate and renew.
However, educational development does not stop at training and qualification. The teacher also needs a supportive and motivating work environment and appreciation that aligns with the magnitude of the responsibility they bear. Societies that invest in their teachers understand that investing in education is an investment in their future and their ability to progress and develop.
The nature of knowledge has changed in recent years, and the teacher is no longer the sole source of information, but this has not diminished the importance of their role, rather it has made it more necessary. The student can easily access information, but they need someone to help them understand, analyze, and distinguish between correct and incorrect information.
A successful teacher does not just make the student memorize, but helps them think, and does not just provide answers, but encourages them to ask questions, research, and explore. They also contribute to instilling values of belonging, responsibility, and respect for others, which are the foundation of building society alongside knowledge and skill.
Therefore, celebrating Teachers' Day should be an occasion to emphasize the importance of supporting and empowering teachers and providing them with the conditions that help them perform their mission. Education does not start with modern technologies alone, but with a teacher who has the ability to inspire and motivate students to learn and achieve.
Behind every successful doctor, engineer, researcher, academic, and leader is a teacher who left an impact at some stage of their life. A person may forget much of what they learned in school, but they will not forget a teacher who believed in their abilities, an encouraging word that gave them confidence in themselves, or a situation that helped them discover their path.
On Teachers' Day, we celebrate not just a profession, but a message that has contributed and continues to contribute to shaping awareness and building the Jordanian human. Education starts with the teacher, renaissance starts with the school, and the future of the nation starts with the way we prepare our children today.
Indeed, when a teacher creates a human... they create a nation
