Teachers Network | Öğretmen Ağı
Empowering teachers to become changemakers for educational and societal transformation
Teachers Network aims to empower teachers through creating sustainable learning environments in which teachers from various disciplines can collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders within the education sector.
Strategic Design
Experience Lab
50
Founding Teachers
45766
Teachers Reached
63
Active Cities
1916
Events Hosted
THE CHALLENGE
In 2014, a study commissioned by the Vehbi Koç Foundation revealed that teachers in Türkiye felt excluded, insecure, and lacked professional growth opportunities. Our challenge was to create a platform that empowers teachers to become changemakers through the collaboration between foundations, NGOs, and educational institutions. Within this scope, with seven leading foundations, we launched a pilot program to test and refine the first version of The Teachers Network platform. Since then, it has grown and continues to to provide tools and support to enhance the capacity of teachers, improve the success of students, and elevate the quality of education.
THE TRANSFORMATION APPROACH
To address the challenges identified, we designed a comprehensive intervention leveraging the strengths of collaborative design thinking. Out of extensive field research, a multi-phase pilot program was developed to empower teachers through participatory and scenario-based training modules.
These modules focused on four key areas: fostering a sense of community, enhancing problem-solving skills, encouraging innovative thinking, and improving educational outcomes. This approach enabled teachers to collaborate, prototype solutions, and implement changes effectively in their educational environments.
"The Teacher's Network stands before us as a living example of the future we hope the education ecosystem will one day achieve; it is one of the biggest opportunities we have for transformation."
"We seek a more equal, inclusive and peaceful society. This is where the passion of the Network's Change Ambassador teachers comes from."
THE IMPACT
The pilot program has had a profound impact on the educational landscape in Turkey, empowering teachers to create and implement innovative solutions in their classrooms. Projects developed through the program, such as inclusive learning environments and anti-bullying initiatives, have been widely adopted and praised for their effectiveness. The initiative has garnered positive feedback from educators, partner organizations, and the broader educational community, underscoring its success and influence in enhancing education.
THE COMMUNITY LENS
Adopting a community-first approach, we focused on deeply understanding the diverse needs and mindsets of teachers across Turkey. By designing a pilot program that addressed various aspects of their professional lives, we aimed to foster meaningful interactions and collaborations.
We crafted a multifaceted program with elements that encouraged spontaneous engagements, such as collaborative workshops, design thinking sessions, and peer feedback opportunities. This approach created micro-communities of educators who could connect and collaborate in ways that might not have occurred otherwise, leading to rich exchanges of ideas and a supportive network for driving educational change.
Explore the Teachers Network | Öğretmen Ağı
Project Team
Project Team:
Aylin Durmaz, Ayşesu Çelik, Bala Gürcan, Ceylan Uşaki Erali, Emre Erbirer, Engin Ayaz, Kerem Alper, Mert Çetinkaya, Murathan Sırakaya, Nesile Yalçın, Özgür Önurme, Ufuk Barış Mutlu
Project Lead:
Aylin Durmaz
Community:
Mina Yancı (Visual Design)
Network:
Ayşe Nur Özcan (Mentorship), Behice Ertenü (Research), Ceki Hazan (Research), Selin Akçakaya (Research)
Resources & Links
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