The “Atatürk Faculty of Education Teachers’ Anthem,” composed exclusively for Teachers’ Day at Near East University, was performed for the first time at the “Power of the Teacher: Solutions for Sustainable Success in Education” panel. The anthem, performed during the panel with contributions from experienced figures, was met with great acclaim.
The “Power of the Teacher: Solutions for Sustainable Success in Education” panel, carried out by the Atatürk Faculty of Education at Near East University, provided a platform for a multifaceted discussion on how lasting success in education is possible. The panel, organized by the Atatürk Faculty of Education at Near East University, began with a meaningful moment. The event, marked by the emphasis that “Atatürk was the greatest teacher,” saw the “Atatürk Faculty of Education Teachers’ Anthem” exclusively composed for Teachers’ Day and performed for the first time, receive great acclaim. The lyrics and music were written by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seçil Besim Ayhan, and the arrangement and piano accompaniment were performed by Assist. Prof. Dr. Hakkı Cengiz Eren. The anthem was performed by the Music Education Department Choir, conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emine Kıvanç Öztuğ along with Dr. Gözdem İlkay’s piano performance. This special performance, which powerfully demonstrates the value Near East University places on the teaching profession, also reinforced the emotional atmosphere of the panel. The piece “Teacher” was then performed, and the moments when Özra Öztuğ joined the stage were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The “Power of the Teacher: Solutions for Sustainable Success in Education” panel, which began with the National Anthem and a moment of silence, was held with the participation of Near East University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt, Kyrenia University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Gökmen Dağlı, deans of numerous faculties, academics, and students. The Near East University Music Education Department Choir, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emine Kıvanç Öztuğ. The event began with a recital conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emine Kıvanç Öztuğ and was moderated by Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay Gazi, Head of the Department of Educational Sciences at Atatürk Faculty of Education. Speakers included Cengiz Uzun, Retired Department Director of the Ministry of National Education; Berna Yılmazoğlu Özdoğa, Retired Supervisor; Duran Öztuğ, Retired Principal of Özgürlük Primary School; and Mehmet Temel, Retired Public and Private School Teacher. The panel’s opening remarks were delivered by Prof. D. Umut Akçıl, Dean of Atatürk Faculty of Education.
The Role of the Teacher Explored!
The panel, which addressed the factors that support sustainable success in education, examined the transformative role of teachers in learning environments, the culture of collaboration in school administration, the quality of inspection processes, and the impact of institutional memory on education policies from different perspectives. Speakers shared examples from their many years of professional experience and emphasized the importance of training qualified teachers. The panel, which highlighted the contributions of teacher motivation, school climate, and social support mechanisms to sustainable success, concluded with a question-and-answer session in which participants actively participated.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt: “Technological opportunities make teachers’ guidance roles more effective!”
Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt, in his speech at the panel, emphasized the decisive factor in the teaching profession, stating that the presence of qualified teachers plays a key role in resolving both the problems in the education system and the problems encountered in the teaching process. Emphasizing that the opportunities offered by technology allow teachers to manage their teaching processes more efficiently and easily, Prof. Dr. Kurt emphasized that these developments also make teachers’ guidance roles more effective. Prof. Dr. Kurt stated that today’s teachers and prospective teachers can perform their professions much more effectively by taking advantage of these opportunities offered by technology, and that qualified teachers are at the heart of the quality transformation in education.
Prof. D. Umut Akçıl: “Teaching is the deepest mark humans leave on others.”
Beginning his speech by reminding students that Near East University has entered the top 500 in the World University Rankings, Prof. D. Umut Akçıl, Dean of the Atatürk Faculty of Education at Near East University, said, “We are delighted to be here with our academics and students who have contributed to this success.” Stating that they had gathered to salute the effort of teaching, one of humanity’s oldest and most sacred acts, Prof. Dr. Akçıl said, “Teaching is not merely a profession, but a worthy march towards civilization, carrying the fire of knowledge, the spark of curiosity, and the virtue of being human from generation to generation.” Prof. Dr. Akçıl, who said, “Teaching is the deepest mark humans leave on others.” stated that the fate of societies is written in classrooms, and that the architects of the future are the teachers among them today.
The importance of loyalty, supervision, and professional development in education was discussed with examples!
Duran Öztuğ, retired Principal of Özgürlük Primary School, spoke first in the panel. Öztuğ spoke about the value he has brought to the lives of the students he has trained over the years, emphasizing that touching people’s lives and transforming this into an example of loyalty over time is one of the most special aspects of the teaching profession. Berna Yılmazoğlu Özdoğa, retired Inspector of the Ministry of National Education, then took the floor, emphasizing the importance of teacher training programs and supervision processes, and explaining how this process is carried out with examples from her duties at the ministry. Following the evaluations of the ministry, Cengiz Uzun, retired Department Director of the Ministry of National Education, took the floor, emphasizing the decisive role of in-service training in professional development. The final speaker of the panel, Mehmet Temel, retired public and private school teacher, emphasized the necessity of teaching practice, emphasizing the importance of a scientific perspective and on-site experience for prospective teachers.
