We can all agree that, in order for children to be successful, teachers must have the tools, subject-matter expertise, and colleagues they need to fulfill their important role. We know, too, that a society that supports its teachers reaps huge rewards: economic development and stability, significant gains in public health, civic participation, and - hope.
Teachers are not simply vehicles for the transmission of knowledge (though we wish the 70 million children out of school had access to a great teacher); they are one of the most powerful catalysts for sustainable and sustainable development. It’s not just about building schools; it’s also about building teaching and learning. That’s how communities flourish.
Unfortunately, teacher professional development itself is often impractical, spotty, or missing entirely, exacerbated by a worldwide shortage of between 1.6 to 4 million qualified teachers to meet basic goals. Many countries have taken on emergency measures by hiring untrained, unsupported teachers whose inexperience may often exacerbate problems. New policies are thrust upon teachers without the requisite training to demonstrate results. And teachers are rarely included in educational policy change or significant decision-making. Ministries of Education are often hamstrung by policies that marginalize innovation in favor of mandates to raise test scores - fast. They often fail.
TWB’s values and operational approach reflect the qualities of an excellent classroom on a global scale: hospitable, generous, results-driven, both structured and creative, and designed to inspire moral leadership. Programs for teachers must reflect the same qualities of individual initiative and collaborative learning we seek in our classrooms.
Teachers Without Borders promotes the free and open use of collective wisdom generated by teacher leaders from every culture to help all teachers work more effectively. For us, bridging the education divide is about removing barriers to education and each other.
And so, Teachers Without Borders believes that teacher professional development is a social justice issue. By supporting the unlimited capacity of professional education to flourish, we support initiatives designed to help teachers create and share content, build communities, and determine their own fate.
In “The Color Purple,” Alice Walker writes: “When Celie questions, a space opens.” That is what we aim to do on a global scale. Some organizations wait for Acts of Congress. Teachers Without Borders works from acts of conscience, because that is what teachers do. We cannot wait for rich benefactors or celebrity endorsements. We focus our efforts on investing in local heroes who have shown an inexhaustible energy for making a difference, even at enormous personal sacrifice. Where look at teachers and see deficits, we see a surplus of underutilized talent. Brains are evenly distributed; Teachers Without Borders relies on them.
We also recognize that connecting teacher development with international development is complex and politically-charged. TWB’s focus on human integrity and agency ensure that culture is celebrated, along with positive change. Teachers Without Borders depends upon local expertise. The organization IS its collective wisdom. Every member represents teachers everywhere. We are therefore able to work in emergencies, as part of national reform efforts, and with relief organization or charities precisely because we rely on local expertise. That expertise, in turn, is a resource for others.
That’s why our tagline is: Teachers. Leaders. Worldwide.
Teachers Without Borders prohibits discrimination against teachers based upon the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected right. Teachers Without Borders is firmly committed to a policy of equal opportunity in all aspects of employee relations, including employment, salary administration, employee development, promotion and transfer.
Teachers Without Borders is not permitted to, nor do we engage in, lobbying functions regarding political positions at home or abroad. We do promote, however, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights wherever appropriate, by articulating its values within the context of our international work.