PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (October 7, 2020) – The theme for World Teachers’ Day 2020 is, appropriately, “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future.” The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) chose the theme to acknowledge the unique challenges teachers have faced worldwide in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) graduate Charity Woodley ‘14 has been in the middle of these challenges as a 4th grade teacher in Houston Independent School District.
Charity Woodley ‘14
“A great educator is a forward-thinking individual who listens and is receptive to all information giving to them,” she said. “I do believe all children can learn, but they don’t learn at the same pace. It is my job to better them and not just prepare them to achieve mastery on a state assessment.”
Woodley is no stranger to leading and reimagining in the teaching profession. In 2018, she founded Clap4theTeacher, an organization that helps new teachers succeed in the classroom. She created Clap4theTeacher just four years after graduating from PVAMU with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies.
“Clap4theTeacher is about helping novice teachers and the training and development of those teachers within their first three years of teaching,” she said. “My goal is to eventually work with universities, school districts, and alternative certification programs to become a liaison for new teachers. In the meantime, I would also love to also help mentor student-teachers at PVAMU.”
The idea came to Woodley after she had a rough experience adjusting to her first year of teaching. Through mentors at her school and the solid foundation she received at PVAMU, she got through that year and began thriving as an educator. She realized there was a need for a program specifically aimed at new teachers in the first three years of their careers.
“Clap4theTeacher helps educators because it doesn’t allow them to go into the classroom ill-prepared for the duties of an educator. They will be aware of the terminology used within a given district, understand how to lesson plan effectively, read data, group students for small group instruction, [and] use digital platforms to their advantage,” Woodley said.
The name was inspired by a phrase often spoken by Clarissa Booker, Ed.D., of the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education at PVAMU. Woodley credits Booker, as well as several other professors, with providing the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an educator. Those skills have been tested this year with all the hurdles teachers have faced.
“Teaching during a pandemic has been rough. Our word for this school year is flexibility because of the constant change. We have to over-communicate about technology, scheduling, assignments, virtual events at the school, how to access digital resources, and teaching parents how to assist their children,” Woodley said.
This World Teachers’ Day, UNESCO chose to highlight the ways educators, like Charity Woodley, are tackling challenges and forging new paths in education, whether it’s leading remote classrooms or managing new COVID-era safety recommendations in schools.
“To my future self, I will say, ‘Congratulations. I am so proud of you for sticking to your personal and work goals, staying true to you, and keeping God first every step of the way,’” said Woodley.
UNESCO will host online events honoring and celebrating teachers through October 12.
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