Support Downers Grove Teachers on World Teachers' Day

World Teachers' Day, celebrated on Oct. 5, is a great opportunity to show teachers in the Downers Grove how great you think they are. But, the day also takes on a deeper meaning, standing for the protection of teachers' rights.

Since its inception in 1994, World Teachers' Day has had a theme every year. The theme for 2012 is “Take a stand for teachers.”

This day was founded by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Its aim is to educate the public about the conditions of being a teacher around the world, focusing specifically on the protection of teachers' rights, and the proper training, development and status raising of teachers.

UNESCO’s partners in this effort are the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, Education International and UNICEF.

Everyone has an educator who has changed his or her life with their kindness, humor or educational impact.

On World Teachers' Day, we can remember them by looking at issues and obstacles they may face, knowing that the brightest and most motivated teachers need to be continually attracted to a profession whose status continually needs improvement socially and monetarily.

One opportunity to support Downers Grove teachers Friday is the Downers Grove North homecoming social, which will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Downers Grove Moose Lodge, 1030 Warren Ave., where the school's football game will be screened live.

The event will benefit the District 99 Education Foundation, which was founded in 1994 as a way for alumni, parents, educators and the Downers Grove community to support "innovative curriculum and technologies that fall outside of traditional public funding."

More than 100 countries currently observe World Teachers' Day, with many corporate supporters such as Google recognizing the global impact and conditions of teachers.

TELL US: How will you celebrate World Teachers' Day? Give your favorite teachers a shout out in the comments section below.

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