By Elly De Winter, corporate communications at VAN IN, Sanoma Learning
Every day, teachers make an extraordinary difference.
Not because they are superheroes, but because they are there. In front of the classroom. Beside their pupils. Preparing lessons, giving feedback, adapting to different needs, motivating, explaining, listening and responding to an educational reality that is becoming increasingly complex.
And today, teachers need our support more than ever.
UNESCO’s Global Report on Teachers puts the challenge into perspective. The world needs 44 million additional primary and secondary teachers by 2030. Teacher shortages are putting additional pressure on those already in the profession, while workload, working conditions and teacher retention remain major concerns.
But behind those global numbers are teachers and classrooms.
Our own European Teacher Survey, gathering the views of more than 20,000 teachers across Europe, helps us understand what teachers themselves are experiencing. It is another way in which we listen closely to teachers, better understand their needs and work together with them to offer solutions that truly support everyday classroom practice.
They want to differentiate and personalise learning, but often lack the time and capacity to do so consistently. At the same time, teachers are increasingly discovering the potential of AI. 63% now use AI, and many see opportunities to save time in areas such as lesson preparation, creating exercises and providing feedback.
This brings us to an important question: How can we give teachers more time for what only a teacher can do?
Because technology cannot replace the teacher who notices that a pupil is struggling. Who finds another way to explain something. Who builds confidence. Who sparks curiosity. Who knows when to challenge and when to support.
But we can help lighten the load around them. That is what we want to stand for this World Teachers’ Day.
Sometimes, that means providing high-quality learning materials teachers can rely on every day. Sometimes, it means developing digital tools that make teaching and learning easier. Sometimes, it means literally rolling up our sleeves and giving schools an extra pair of hands.
And increasingly, it can also mean responsible, education-specific AI. Not AI for the sake of AI, but technology built around pedagogy, trusted content and the realities of the classroom — helping teachers prepare, create and differentiate, so they can spend more time where it matters most.
This year, that idea becomes even more tangible with our new teachers assistant Sanna: an extra helping hand for teachers. Not to replace what teachers do best, but to give them more time for it. Because teachers shouldn't need superpowers to do their job.
Teachers make the difference. Our role is to support them.
So this World Teachers’ Day, we want to do more than say thank you.
We listen.
We learn.
We lend a hand.
And we keep working towards the same goal: giving teachers more time, more support and more space to do what only they can do — help every learner grow.