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Carol BaldwinLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterWakaw Recorder The Government of Saskatchewan declared the week of Oct. 19-25, 2025, as Education Week to celebrate the important role education plays in the development and well-being of all learners. Education Week has been celebrated in Saskatchewan since 1987. As part of Education Week, senior students at Wakaw met the teachers over the volleyball net for an afternoon of friendly rivalry. The cheers of the students in the gymnasium were loud and strong for both teams. A very close match, with many exciting moments on the court, did, in the end, go to the teachers. This year’s Education Week theme, Seeds of Learning, Roots to Success, reminds everyone that education sets a lifelong foundation for building skills and acquiring knowledge, ensuring Saskatchewan learners can succeed in school and beyond. Communities, schools, and school divisions across Saskatchewan are encouraged to use this week to recognize and celebrate the Saskatchewan teachers and school staff who make a positive impact on their lives, inspiring, teaching and supporting them. “Education is about much more than memorizing facts and passing tests; it is about learning and growing to make life meaningful and rewarding,” Education Minister Everett Hindley said. “Thank you to our education professionals for helping to ignite the spark in Saskatchewan’s students that will lead to a love of learning and limitless possibilities.” Many teachers also take on coaching roles, and even if they do not coach a specific sport, they often show their support by attending games and cheering for their students from the stands. They provide guidance and support for students organizing yearbooks, and they run Safety Patrol programs. Many teachers and educational assistants volunteer their time to tutor students who are struggling. They organize fundraisers to buy items like additional classroom equipment or new playground equipment, and they often help run concessions at athletic events. Today’s teachers are expected to fulfill many diverse roles that extend well beyond classroom instruction. They serve as mentors, counsellors, community members, and engaged citizens, with each role interconnected. Their contributions positively impact their students, colleagues, communities, and society as a whole. (https://teachers.institute/learning-teaching/roles-of-teacher-beyond-classroom/) School Bus Driver Appreciation Day was celebrated alongside Education Week on October 20, 2025, to recognize the important role bus drivers have in safely transporting students to and from school. School bus drivers literally carry precious cargo to and from school each day. They brave early mornings, bad weather, and challenges from rowdy students to animals in the road to get kids to and from school safely. Over 1,200 school bus drivers ensure the safety of more than 70,000 Saskatchewan students daily, helping them access the education they need to succeed. Often, recognizing and thanking bus drivers for all they do is left to students and schools, but it does not need to be that way. Communities can become involved as well. School Community Councils are always looking for community involvement and are part of every school in Saskatchewan.
