Oddball occasions are often cause for celebration. We’ve spotted International Talk Like a Pirate Day, Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day and Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day – marked annually on the last Monday of January. So, in honour of the wonderful (and yes occasionally weird) educators that we are and know, today we lift our glasses to International World Teachers' day – and give ourselves a little pat on the back, as the rest of the world raises awareness, understanding and appreciation for the vital contribution that we all make to education in an increasingly complex and technological society.

Inaugurated by UNESCO in 1994 and celebrated in over 100 countries, World Teachers' Day is officially commemorated on the first Friday in October by our colleagues around the globe. However, as it falls while most of us are putting our feet up during the Term three Holidays, Aussies prefer to observe it on the last Friday of the month – which, serendipitously, this year coincides with the online events and experiences scheduled for the 22-26 October and following the inaugural PLANE Festival of Learning of the previous week. (Registrations still open here)

Speaking of which, this year’s Festival of Learning, is set to be a big one – Covering everything from Apps to Z, it’s themed to host a variety of interactive experiences and expert speakers – including the always engaging Dan Haesler (@danhaesler)  

Dan, who has garnered somewhat of a cult following among his peers (often identified in hushed tones and on a last-name only basis), and is lauded for his ability to inform, inspire and entertain, will be presenting two sessions at the festival to discuss staff wellbeing – and for your own wellbeing we highly recommend you pop in and see what all the fuss is about.

So Happy International World Teachers' Day (official or otherwise, we don’t see any reason why you can’t celebrate it twice). Why don’t you reward yourself by registering your attendance at the Festival of Learning  – consider it the gift that keeps on giving !