Shaping Futures: Teachers Reflect on Their Preparation and Professional Development
Voices of Teachers from Around the World
Educators play a key role in shaping the futures of their students. Skilled teachers help inspire learners and drive results. We asked teachers to share where they learned the most about teaching, and the impact it has made on their students.
Well-prepared primary school teachers are crucial for equipping children with the foundational skills essential for future academic achievement, jobs, and lifelong success. Initial teacher education (ITE) forms the basis of teachers' professional journeys, offering aspiring teachers the core knowledge, practical skills, and strong professional identity needed to support student learning, foster positive school communities, and contribute to children’s overall growth and well-being.
Several factors are important to consider in efforts to improve ITE systems, including how to:
- Make ITE programs attractive and select high-potential candidates for admission
- Provide relevant and impactful ITE program content by skilled teacher educators
- Incorporate quality field placements for teaching experience and practice
- Align institutions for responsive, efficient, and quality-driven ITE
- Enhance quality assurance processes to maintain high standards in ITE.
Download the Case Studies:
- BAHRAIN: Strategic Investments in a National Teachers College to Improve Teaching and Learning in Public Schools
- ZAMBIA: “Shaking the Rust Off”: Reforming Initial Teacher Education with a Focus on Foundational Learning
- VIETNAM: Transforming Teacher Education Over Three Generations
- GHANA: Coordinated Efforts to Develop a Shared Initial Teacher Education Curriculum
- CHILE: Strengthening Initial Teacher Education through Accreditation Processes
- FINLAND: Building an Excellent Initial Teacher Education System
- INDIA: Revitalizing Initial Teacher Education through District Institutes of Education and Training
- MOROCCO: Improving Teacher Effectiveness through Enhanced Teacher Education, Attraction, and Selection
- BURKINA FASO: Reforming K–6 Initial Teacher Education
- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Strengthening the Teaching Profession through Initial Teacher Education Reforms
- KENYA: A Systems Approach to Strengthening Initial Teacher Education
Education leaders share the importance of initial teacher education in their country:
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VideoDominican Republic is working so every new teacher has core skills for teaching
Ancell Sheker, Vice-Minister of Technical and Pedagogical Affairs, Ministry of Education, Dominican Republic -
VideoStrong initial teacher education underpins learning outcomes in Finland
Anders Adlercreutz, Minister of Education, Finland -
VideoWe are working to ensure that every new teacher has the core knowledge and skills for teaching.
Dr Masooma Al-Mutawah, Head of Math, Science & IT Department at Bahrain Teachers College -
VideoSkilled teachers nurture a generation of exemplary students.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Văn Hiền, Hanoi National University of Education