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Who Is the Champion in Your Life

Most of us want to be successful and champions in life. However, when we were kids, we had no idea…
Student with her champion teacher on Teacher's Day
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Most of us want to be successful and champions in life. However, when we were kids, we had no idea where to take our lives and what to make out of it.

Who taught you to become a champion? Who inspired you to become somebody? Who filled you with confidence and made you aware of your hidden potential?

Most of us had a teacher in our life, who helped us shape our life and make us who we are today. Our teachers guided us through dark lanes of ignorance and cleared our mists of confusion.

They gave their best to make us the best – and these teachers were our champions.

My teacher was my champion, and I too decided to become a champion like him. So, I became a teacher.

Not boasting of myself, but teachers are great. They remain rooted while the students rise and fly over all places and make a name for themselves.

But a teacher is often forgotten. We win accolades and awards, but forget to reward the one who made it all possible for us to reach great heights.

So, today I want to pay my gratitude and thank all teachers who taught me, and those who teach all around the world and make a difference in the lives of children.

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” ~ Brad Henry

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Celebrating Teacher’s Day

It’s Teacher’s Day in India on Sept 5th, a day when the teacher or guru is appreciated, felicitated, and remembered.

Teacher’s day is celebrated all around the world on different dates, but its purpose remains the same – To remember and reward the true champions.

Today, I’ve a video for you, and I’ve kept this post intentionally short so that you can just spend time to enjoy this inspirational video.

Believe it or not, it took me a long time to hunt for a good video, and after hours of searching, I landed up on one of the best videos of a teacher, which I thought you’d like.

The lady in the video, Rita, was a real educator, who knew teaching is more than books and lessons, classrooms or exams.

Teaching is connecting to the person, understanding his or her needs, and then finding a suiting solution that will help the child be successful.

Okay, do you know that you too are a teacher? Of course, everybody is a teacher.

We play the role of a teacher as a parent and even as a blogger. I’m lucky that I’m both. 🙂

In this TED video, Rita talks about the importance of human connections or relationships in teaching – relationships help students take in easily what you are teaching and learn better.

It’s no secret that relationships are vital to all professions and in all aspects of life, including blogging.

But teachers create the relationships to make you confident and educated. Like parents, they do a thankless job and become anonymous champions.

Watch this video and we’ll talk later.

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Rita Pierson ~ Every kid needs a champion ~ YouTubeVideo

“Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students.” ~ Solomon Ortiz

Did you find it inspiring? What do you think of teachers after watching the video? They have a tough job at their hands, don’t they?

From my personal experience, I can confidently say that there are many devoted and committed teachers all around the world, who only think about how they can help the children.

A teacher never gives up!

They spend their life making the lives of many. They are the unsung heroes of our life, who remain content with you being happy, that’s their greatest reward.

My teachers are my champions.

I salute all teachers and the spirit of teaching. I know all my fellow bloggers do the same, and I hope you all learned something from this post and the video.

Green board with teacher's day greetings

“Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.” ~ Aristotle

Share Your Thoughts –

What do your teachers mean to you? Do you remember them? Share any personal account of your favorite teacher/teachers. Did they make any difference in your life?

Photo Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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  1. In my life my parents and my best friend who always gave me a very good support.And at present my love has also shown a good co-operation while i move towards my goal.Such a lovely content this is.Thanks for unique articles like this.

  2. Hi Harleena,
    Beautiful post by you, your post really made me very nostalgic.My teachers have great influence in my life, their thought even today also guide me to take right decision in tough time.I am really very much thankful to my teachers.
    Thanks for such topics.

  3. Hi Harleena,

    Thanks for writing up a beautiful post. 🙂

    In my life, my all credit goes to my parents. They’ve supported in that situations where I was like a boat without oars. They actually helped me to understand how to overcome in the best way.

    In fact, in my blogging career, I got most supports from my parents. They kept me motivated to do blogging. You might not believe, they are very keen to read my written blog posts in front of me. Just imagine how it would feel that someone is reading your own post in front of you. 😀

  4. Hi,

    This is very nice post.This post is forgotten beautiful memory of childhood! True, teachers are so important in life.We will not be where we are today without their guidance.I think at every step of our life, we need teacher. Without a teacher nobody can get success.Teachers are main part of our life for mad us a great person.

    I will share this post with my followers, hope they will love it.

    Thanks to share this useful post with us.

    Keep up your good work!

    Have a nice day!

    Regards,
    Varija tripathi

  5. Myself working in PSU for the last 10 years and helping people to get out of stress and mind. Positive thinking in reality is an important characteristic in everybody life. Full day stress is purely depends on how you think and act.
    In my carrier i acted as Guide/Inspiring everyone and keep them cool and happy in their lives.

  6. I was a teacher myself for 26 years (although i have since changed career direction). Despite all the pressures and stresses in the job, there was always, right to the end, a hankering to inspire young people. I had a couple of really inspiring teachers myself (and one of them was actually in his first year of teaching when he taught me), and I used these as role-models when I entered the classroom.

  7. hello Harleen ma’am,
    Nice to visit your blog again, I like the way you represent the post. Teh quotes are inspiring and I like this quote “Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students.” ~ Solomon Ortiz the most.

  8. Hi Harleena,

    I guess I had missed that post, but I wanted to drop a note as it is a beautiful one.

    I had heard that wonderful talk before, but I did listen to it again, it’s just so darn good.

    In all my school year, I had only 2 good teachers that I still think about to this day from time to time. It’s so true, you can’t teach children or teenagers that you don’t even try to build a relationship with, and it’s impossible to learn from a teacher that you know don’t like you.

    Thanks for sharing this great information.

  9. Hi Harleena,

    Sorry for my latency but better late than never, eh? 😉 Anyway, hoping to catch up interesting topics you have published here while I was away. At least to read ’em.

    Talking about this very topic, first off, I’m grateful to you for being a wonderful and kind teacher to me, Harleena 🙂 You have been a great teacher and a faithful friend (who everyone loves to have in their lives) to me whom I admire so much. To be honest, it’s merely not the knowledge you bring onto the table, but you as a person is what I admire the most. Thank you for being a wonderful teacher to me 🙂

    Actually, I don’t have one champion I always look up to like I don’t have one best friend, Harleena. I have champions and as you might already know, my mother is on the top. You know why 🙂 I’m so fortunate to have a few wonderful teachers in my life who whispered to my heart in addition to sharing their knowledge. I do thankful to all the other teachers who taught me too. Else I wouldn’t have been where I am now. Isn’t it?

    Lately, I had an urge to find how my favorite teachers were doing and met a couple last month too. To tell you the truth, I felt kinda guilty if I only show up in their funerals and worry if I could meet them beforehand (Sorry for being honest). When I meet them, I never thought they would be very excited (than me) to see me after years. I felt so good I decided to check up on them and helped rejuvenate our relationships too. We had a lovely time 🙂

    The video is inspirational indeed and loved it, Harleena. Your time spent on finding the right video for your students is never wasted 😉 She was right about “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like”. Anyway, I learnt from people I don’t like on ‘how NOT to be like them’ by observing them. We can learn from everyone. Isn’t it? Yet the teachers we like are the ones who makes big impact on our lives.

    Thanks for this wonderful post and reminding us about our teachers dear 🙂

    Hope you having a lovely weekend and had a wonderful time with your dad too 🙂 Keep celebrating!

    Cheers…

  10. Hi Harleena. Great post.

    Many of us tend to forget that we did indeed had one or two individuals who championed our road to a successful life. My principal champions were my parents. They instilled in me a sense of not only responsibility, but also respect, honor, and most of all, to revere my God. My other champion was my High School teacher, Mr. Buntin. He advised me to develop a sense of pride in all my accomplishments, with out being prideful. He always told me to be myself, strive and reach for the moon, but in a realistic way. “Never set your self up for failure.” That was his motto. I was told by both my parents and my teacher, to accept genuine help from others, and to always pay it forward, by helping those along the way.
    That’s one area I have never forgotten. I’ll go out of my way to help anyone who truly needs a helping hand. Good read! Blessings.

  11. Hi Harleena,

    I’m a bit late to this party, but how awesome of you to honor the unsung heroes in our lives! I remember my high school literature teacher so very well. She was really tough on me, but it was because I had a lot of potential, and she wanted to push me to be the best I could be.

    She was one of the first people to really get me to open up about what I thought about a story without fearing what other people thought. I remember one discussion in class over a classic we had read, and I differed in my opinion, and we had an open discussion, she and I in the middle of class – it really stretched me, and I walked out of there a changed person. More analytical. More inviting of others’ ideas…

    Truly inspired.

    Teachers instill so many good things into our lives. I realize that not everyone had a positive experience in school – not all of my teachers were wonderful, but many were.

    Ah, it was awesome to go down memory lane – thanks so much for causing these awesome memories to rise to the top in my mind and heart!

    Have a wonderful evening.
    – Carol

  12. Hello Harleena Singh,

    According to me, after parents teacher gives most lesson to us in our life. They teach us punctuality, discipline & the most important thing manner. When we talk with others, its important to be friendly to others rather than harsh chat. But when we complete our study, we fully forget them or ignore them. When we see them in road, we don’t show proper respect. Its shocking for a past student behavior.

    I hope your article will be a lesson for all of us.

  13. Hey Harleena,

    What a great post and it was truly inspiration.

    I actually work at a school district in IT and I can say that there are quite a few teachers that really work hard because they are truly passionate about teaching and helping the students. There are many of times I stay late just to avoid traffic, and those same teachers are usually there late with the students or working on some type of project to benefit the students.

    There are many people that say that they stay late because they have no life. That’s pretty rude and I believe they hate their own jobs. The thought never cross their minds that these hard working teachers are passionate for what they do.

    But as for me, the teacher that I remember the most was my Senior English Teacher Mrs. Day. When I was a freshman she use to be called “Dragon Lady” because she seemed mean to us, but she didn’t take any crap from us high school kids… fast forward it to my Senior Year, it turned out she was the nicest, most supportive teacher I have ever known. I realize that she had to be like this because she knew it would be a different world out there from our more sheltered world and I respect her for that! I didn’t do that great in her class but I definitely appreciate that she stayed my Senior Year!

    Thanks for sharing and giving us something to think about! I hope you have a great week!

  14. Hi Harleena,

    Teachers have always been well respected by me. They do some amazing things for our kids and are all to often the best role models for them at times.

    Hats off to all the teachers who truly care about our kids well being! It’s a shame when kids get teacher like the one Reginald had saying he would be nothing in life.

    It really does take a village to raise our kids and teachers are a large part of that. Thought out the week for many kids, they are with their teachers for about 7 hours out the day.

    That’s just harsh and luckily that teacher didn’t alter his mindset to believe that is the future he should accept.

    Excellent post and take care Harleena!

  15. Harleena,
    I feel that in life we meet many persons who teach us different lessons. I was a typical Indian wife some ten years ago. My life revolved around my family and I knew nothing of the outside world. But when my husband passed away I was left with a teenage daughter who depended totally on me. Each and every bitter experience I faced in my life were all treasure like teachers to me. Many of my relatives still could not believe how a simple Indian wife like me could start a blog and write articles. The best teacher I had was my mother. She was my inspiration. Now I have yet another teacher in my daughter who motivates me all day and is my best adviser.

  16. Hello Harleena mam

    I’ve been going through all of such kinda posts in your blog and after reading them, I can assure that you have some kind of MAGIC in your hands. The way you carve out all the posts in your blog is just AWESOME. Very well said by Vishnu, one often forgets his/her mentor who has actually worked as a guide in life, who have given us true values. A very well written and inspired!

    CHEERS!!!

    Regards,
    Divyansh

  17. Hello Harleena,

    Ahh… I had so much work to do for the past few days that took me away from some stuffs 🙂 . Hope i am not that late in making my own contribution to this awesome post? 😀

    My teacher has always and still is my mother. I grew up having her heart and thought me all i know about life.

    Aside my mother, my elder brothers played an advance roll in my life. The ones that are teachers, make sure i go to school and graduate…

    Come to think of it; the champions in my life are my family 🙂
    Thanks for stopping this mind blowing post with us. Do have a wonderful week ahead…

  18. Hi Harleena,

    I can’t say I remember a teacher being my champion, ever. I moved around a bit and I’m confident I had ADHD as the Principal was always my best friend, lol… We could have been on a first name basis.

    However, I will say that it was my wife who became my first champion. I’ve believed in myself but she believed in me in ways others did not.

    We’ve been married 21 years and we have the blessing now of teaching couples in business together or business owners who are married how to have a happy marriage and a successful business. I have specialized training from the military as a Chaplain that taught me how to work with couples in high stress envirnonments.

    I learned a lot about myself through that experience and about my wife.

    I really love the topic and I’m grateful for teachers! It’s not their fault I moved around a lot and that I had some issues, lol…

    Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom with us!

    ~ Don

  19. I finished school a long time ago but there are still a few teachers that stand out in my mind, even today. And honestly they were the ones who took the time to connect with me… Also, I did quite well in their classes!

    ~Lea

  20. Very Inspiring Harleena 🙂
    As we grow old, we often forget about those mentors who had taught us the most valuable things in our lives. As in the video, she says that relationships are very important in teaching and learning. And I’ve learnt one more thing from this that as a blogger our relationship with ours readers are too very crucial, as a blogger or writer we try to teach our readers something and if the readers(students) don’t like their teacher(blogger) than they will never learn anything from them and eventually as a blogger I can say that If there is no relationship between writer and reader than nothing is going to happen.
    I thing, this is the most valuable thing I’ve learnt as a blogger from you : How to maintain a good relationship between the two 🙂
    You and aha-now both are my new teacher now, who is just delivering great lessons time to time to make me a better blogger 🙂
    Thank you for recalling this, and Happy Teacher’s Day Mam 😀

  21. Hi Harleena

    Great post and video. Most of my friends are teachers and I know how hard they work. In the UK they are so bogged down with paperwork that teaching almost seems secondary.

    Sadly (but probably completely illustrating your point) the two teachers I remember most from my school-days were the ones who told me I was rubbish, in front of the whole class! Great teaching style.

    One was for sport, so it didn’t matter much. But it left me with a life-long hate of sport. The other was for my spelling, and I think she must have been having a bad day because my spelling isn’t bad at all. I have never forgotten how dreadful and humiliated she made me feel.

    Then there was the guy who used to throw the black board rubber and chalk at pupils – and he had a good aim. Happily that was maths and one of my better subjects so I was spared that.

    I didn’t like school at all, despite being well above average in the class and I couldn’t wait to leave and start work. I refused to go into further education until I successfully completed a home-study degree in my late twenties.

    The good news that I have some great champions in my life now:-) Parents, sister and sons are absolute stars.

    I’m also blessed to have made some great friends in the blogging community.

    Wish I had had you or Rita at my school 🙂

    Joy

  22. Hi Harleena,

    In this wonderful week of teacher’s day you have concluded an inspirational post.:)

    Life is so amazing and in everyone’s life there is any champion who have inspired him/her. Teachers are the great motivators and are the champions of many people like you have decided to become a teacher too.

    I feel so sorry to say that in my life I don’t have any particular teacher who have given me the way I wanted. You know in our school life we don’t know as which field is better for us? But with the passing of time we become aware and try to find something which can interest us. I have found blogging.:)

    My champions are my family members. Specially my Mom, she always shoe trust in me and bless me to do the work I like. She is my champion.

    Thanks a lot for such an inspirational share.:)

    Hope you are enjoying this week.:)
    Happy Teacher’s Day in advance.

    ~Ravi

  23. Hi Harleena

    It took me literally half an hour to come out from nostalgia after reading this post.

    I have double nostalgic feeling whenever I read something about teaching profession. I have the honor to be student and then teacher in the same school.

    In a way I have also an honor to be the colleague of a few of my teachers though I remained proud of being their student first and never be happy of being their colleague.

    How pity those who make a man as gentleman are not much blessed and happy especially in eastern parts of the world. Their Day also passes silently and just a few formal ceremonies are held just like passing out parade of an army academy.

    Thanks a lot for sharing this post which obviously would remind several when Teachers day is celebrated and what are its main objectives.

  24. Hello Harleena mam,

    Wonderful article. Loved to read this article.

    At every step of our life, we need teacher. Without a teacher nobody can get success. We are learning at every step of our lives.

    Curently, the pro bloggers like you Harleena are my teachers. They are teaching me about blogging success. So, you are one of the champion in my life mam.

    Thanks for sharing this lesson.

    Have a great week ahead!

  25. A Teacher day is always special for me my teacher inspired me to do something special in life. They
    teach us lot of things in life for became a better person.
    Teacher speeches always talks a lot in some words
    Even Your a Teacher
    And your words talks a lot.
    Respect Teachers !!!

  26. Hi Harleena,

    I don’t have just one champion in my life, it’s been a lot of people who’ve inspired me. Many of the people who’ve inspired me were teachers, but also my coaches in basketball, my parents, friends, colleagues, and my kids as well. Sometimes a look is enough, or just a sentence, or just being there when I need them to.

    -Jens

  27. Hi Harlena madam,

    Nice post indeed. I really love to read posts that are based on current ongoing occasions and this is one of them. It feels great to read a post on teachers’ day as now we are grown ups and don’t go to school to celebrate but having said that I would like to mention that I still remember my teachers form the very 1st grade. The teacher with the most impact on me were sister Jane Antony and Sr Alice. They really cared for me and wanted me to grow better in life. There were others too and I loved the feeling of getting extra attention from all my teachers. They thought me to be good child and whole class was dependent on me for asking a extra game period from the principal. LOL

    So many memories and so many feelings. I can’t thank them enough for they were the ones who pushed me forward and believed in me when even I did not.

  28. I remember my 5th grade teacher very well. She instilled some values in me that carried through into my adult years through to today. I often use them as a teaching guide to my own children. She taught in her classroom setting by enforcing the golden rule….treat others as you want to be treated.

    It takes a special person to be a teacher. I want to say thank you for your dedicated work and helping to leave a positive mark on so many. You are awesome.

    Irish

  29. Hi Harleena,

    Happy Teacher’s Day!!

    This is one great post and the video is so inspiring. We owe it to our parents and teachers. We will not be where we are today without their guidance.

    My greatest inspiration and teacher was my mother. She was a quiet lady but she can teach you without words. Just watching her, I learned a lot from her.

    Thanks Harleena for a wonderful post. Have a great week ahead.

    Be Blessed,

    Neamat

  30. Two teachers made a big difference in my life. One was Mrs. Hughes who taught Geometry freshman year in high school. She announced that she’d be recommending one student for Honors Intermediate Algebra and Trigonometry. Two students argued about which of them would be moved up. My self-esteem got a big boost when I found out it was me. I later became a Math major–not common for young women back then. Thanks to Mrs. Hughes, I enjoyed Math and knew I was good at it.
    Also Mrs. Snelgrove was a wonderful teacher who I had at a community college as an adult. In an editing class, I would scribble down everything so I wouldn’t forget. I remember her saying. “Don’t write this down, Sue. Trust yourself!” I had Mrs. Snelgrove for several classes, including Honors classes, because I enjoyed her thorough and expert teaching skills.

  31. Hi Harleena,
    Just luved your post… It’s thought provoking that how a teacher is more noble and motivator. At times she can let a child reshaped into something different altogether. I am myself a teacher so i know how much responsibilities a teacher has on her shoulder since she’s not working for herself but for so many lives . I got my hidden potential of sports from my sports teacher- Mr. Manoj sir who motivated me to bring out my hardwork in judo that really surprised me even now. I wish you a very happy teacher’s day and a joyful teaching to ensure our youth to be successful.

  32. That’s precious Harleena!

    I can’t give any of my teachers credit for molding me or pushing me to be something more. That came from my parents and later it came from my voice within. My classrooms had so many students in them it was difficult to stand out, well except for in elementary school. I admire those teachers that take children under their wing, mold them, and help cultivate their way.

    Great post Harleena.

  33. Hey Harleena I enjoyed this post and the video as well. When she says “we teach anyway”, I thought about every job people do. It is not every day one wants to do what they do but they do it anyway. I remember my English teacher in high school. That woman was so passionate about English and I credit her for my current writing. She was particular and specific and did not let her disability affect her passion.

  34. Great post, Harleena! Yes, I remember my teachers especially when I was very young. Gr. 1, 5, 7 were my favorites. They were amazing and forever live in my memory. “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.” What a perfect quote! Today 400,000 students in our Province could not return to school today because our teachers are in a labor dispute that has no resolution in sight. It’s very sad that the government doesn’t seem to value these people in our society.

  35. Hi Harleena,

    I was a teacher’s assistant for two years and I love the connection I made with the students. I wanted to become a teacher but life took me on a different journey :).

    I remember my 10th grade English teacher in high school. She taught me about self respect, independence and working hard.

    I think teachers don’t get the recognition they deserve. And thanks for sharing the video…very inspiring!

    Have a great new week and a great month!

    1. Hi Corina,

      Yes, I remember you mentioned that you had been a teacher’s assistant and wasn’t that really great! I can understand how you felt and being with children used to make me feel young too!

      We don’t know where life takes us, as I too didn’t plan to be a blogger. It’s so good to know that you remember your English teacher, and seems she did impact your core a lot.

      I agree that teachers need more recognition and they deserved this post. Glad you like the video too.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts and have a wonderful week ahead! 🙂

  36. This is so important Harleena. Where would any of us be if it weren’t for people in our lives that taught, inspired and encouraged us.

    An inspiring teacher I had wasn’t really in school. It was a teacher/mentor I had in my adult life, but it was certainly someone I won’t ever forget and that I owe a debt of gratitude to.

    Kudos to you Harleena for honoring our teachers and mentors this week. It’s so important not to forget those that have inspired us to be what we are today 🙂

    Blessings,
    Liz

    1. Hi Liz,

      So true, teachers are so important in life, and we often do not give them much credit. I really came to know the value of a teacher, when I myself became one. Then I knew that being a teacher is not easy and it really is a tough task.

      It’s good to know that you feel grateful for your mentor, because gratitude lacks in people these days.

      I’m glad you like the post and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Do have a great week ahead! 🙂

  37. Hi Harleena!

    Isn’t it true that we are all teachers in one way or another. I’m fortunate that I had some REALLY great ones in my life. And one way I “Pay it forward” is by being a mentor or high school girls in my local community. We sometimes don’t really know what our presence does for others, but I believe the intention behind it is always a gift to those we touch.

    1. Hi Kathy,

      Nice to have you back! Yes, its true – we all are teachers. I more so meant to discuss about the professional teachers, who teach us in schools and colleges. It’s good to know that you had really good teachers in your life.

      Definitely, we ourselves are teachers for others through intentional or unintentional ways. It’s great that you do give back as being a mentor for kids in your community.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Have a great week! 🙂

  38. Hi Harleena

    It is really nice of you to honor Teachers in this special way. Being one yourself, let me take this opportunity to say Happy Teacher’s Day! You are a Champion and may you continually be blessed with wisdom, knowledge and understanding all your days.:)

    I would also say there is a Teacher in all of us. It is what we do at home, on the job and even as Bloggers we are constantly imparting what we ourselves have learned to others.

    My Mom and my Grandma for me were my best examples of Educators. They taught me well. Both are no longer alive but I am proud to say they left me a legacy of love and faith and by their own lives taught me to persevere in life no matter how adverse the situation or the circumstance may be.

    Very inspirational video too! I enjoyed it. One of the things that Rita Pierson said that jumped out at me was, “kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.” That is so true! It even goes beyond the classroom into the workplace and elsewhere. My experience with that was with my Math and Spanish Teachers. Such a bad experience with them and as a result, I never learned the subjects well enough. I failed them both in final exams. I did not bother with the Spanish but the Math I definitely had to do later on in my life and I did it only because it was a pre-requisite to other things.

    Have a great day! 🙂

    1. Hi Yvonne,

      Thanks for the lovely greetings and the kind words, I’m indeed grateful and honored.

      Definitely, we all are teachers for others and everything or person is a teacher for us. Every parent has to be a teacher to the children, and grandparents are the teachers of their children as well as grandchildren.

      It is often said that a mother is equal to thousand headmasters.. mother is of course the greatest teacher of all, and if you educate a mother, you educate an entire generation. It’s good to know about your mother and grandmother, they were indeed great teachers.

      Oh yes, I liked the video very much. Indeed, that quote really set me thinking and I realized that yes, that is so true. My daughter couldn’t learn something from a teacher, but the same thing was taught by another teacher for whom she was praised, and she learned the lesson well. There are differences in skills and teaching styles, but for her the main factor was liking or no liking for the teacher.

      Sad to know that you had such bad personal experiences with your Math and Spanish teachers, and it clearly shows that the first thing the teacher has to do is make himself or herself likable.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences and have a great week ahead! 🙂

  39. Great post Harleena!

    I wish I could write that I had a teacher or teachers that inspired or influenced me in a positive way, but I can’t think of one. I mean, I’ve had teachers I thought were nice, but I can’t think of a teacher that made a great impact on my life. Not even in college.

    The impact my teachers made is this:

    I learned early that a degree, a piece of paper from a university, and licence from a state/country, does not make you a teacher. In my opinion, you either have a calling to be a teacher or not. For most teachers, it’s more than a job. They get fired up about what they teach and will do whatever it takes to break through barriers, even it that means being unpopular with school administrators and parents.

    Let this be a lesson to anyone who’s thinking about becoming a teacher. If you don’t feel a deep calling or a need to teach, find something else to do.

    1. Harleena you are a wonderful teacher! 🙂

      My comment is in regards to teachers in the “traditional” sense, pre-school through college.

      However, if we’re discussing “teachers” in a more general sense, I would say that everyone in my life has been great a great teacher. I’ve learned and continue to learn some easy and tough lessons. Although, I’d prefer more of the easy ones. 😉

      1. Hi Amandah,

        Aww.. thanks for saying that. Of course, I understand what you were trying to say, and I don’t disagree with you entirely.

        Well, I wanted to make this post about teacher’s in “traditional” sense, but the readers projected the “general” sense of teachers out of it but I’m not complaining. 😉

        It’s true that every person, thing, event in our life contributes to experiences and is a teacher for us. I guess we don’t always have much choice in hand, and have to take up whatever kind of lessons life offers! 🙂

        Thanks for sharing your thoughts and clarifying the things. 🙂

    2. Hi Amandah,

      I’m sorry that you didn’t have any inspiring or helpful teachers in school or college. It is definitely possible that what all you wrote is entirely true, and that you were not prejudiced. I know that my daughter comes home from school and shoots out a volley of complaints about teachers and occasionally tells me that she didn’t like this or that teacher. But I don’t blame her entirely because there aren’t very many good teachers in schools these days.

      I’m 100% with you that a degree or license won’t make you a teacher, it is your passion, skills, and willingness to work hard and being understanding is what will help you be a good teacher. Sadly, as you mention and as Rita mentioned in the video, there are teacher’s who take teaching as a job or a salaried work that they have to finish between the working hours – just for the sake of money. Whereas a true teacher works off and on school, and doesn’t care about the salary or the rewards, because his or her priority is the child and its future.

      I also agree with you that there has to be a calling to become a teacher, and this is true for all other professions and professionals too.

      Thanks for sharing your views and experiences. Have a great week! 🙂

  40. Hi Harleena,

    Oh wow, nice post. For one, I’m not really the ‘star’ or most liked student in my school. Haha! But it certainly brings old memories. I even had one teacher who says I can’t be successful in life. LOL!

    Yup, big a*s kid in school at that time. Well, that thought me a lot though!

    Thanks for sharing this. Appreciate it.

    1. Hi Reginald,

      Do you know that even if you feel you’re not the star or most liked student in school, your teachers may remember you and observe everything you do? From my personal experiences of being a teacher, I had all the students under my radar, and they were all equal to me.

      It’s sad that some teachers discourage or dissuade students, but the students too should try to come up to the expectations of the teachers.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts and have a great week ahead! 🙂

  41. So sweet of you to honor teachers. Here in the US things are increasingly hard for teachers and I don’t envy them. I have loads of clients who are teachers and they are the most stressed out bunch. They deserve so much honoring for what they do. I think they save kids lives. Ya know?

    1. Hi Jodi,

      Being a teacher myself, it’s difficult to forget or not honor teachers. I think teachers suffer hardships all around the world in spite of the fact that they play one of the most important roles.

      You’re right, teachers often do not get the appreciation they deserve, and yes they do a great service to parents as well as the kids. Another thankless job, and they truly deserved this post. 🙂

      Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts. 🙂

  42. Hi Harleena,

    I’m sorry for the delay in commenting here. For some reason, I seem to feel a lot of work lately. I’m glad to be here again. 🙂

    I understand, this article for our teachers. Yes, I have great respect for my teachers. I remember a lot of them, began from elementary school, junior and senior high school. I remember most of them because there are unique characteristics of themselves.

    My favorite teacher is mathematics teacher. Why? Because of her, I could involved in the math contest and got the champion title there. Well, it is a wonderful memory.

    Thanks for sharing this, Harleena.
    Do have a wonderful week ahead.

    Nanda

    1. Hi Nanda,

      Great to have you back! It’s good to know that you respect your teachers of school. Math is one of the most dreaded subjects of students, and a good Mathematics teacher really makes a big difference.

      Nice to know that your teacher inspired and motivated you to be a champion. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and have a great week! 🙂

  43. I wanted to share something I wrote on this very topic: kkherheadache.wordpress.com/2014/06/27/utopia/ On these occasions, such as the first day of school or World Teacher’s Day (anywhere in the world) I am reminded of possibly the greatest and most well-known teacher and student pair: Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller. I had many classroom teachers, but it was only when I was being guided and taught by my specialty and adaptive teachers that I learned I could adapt and I could be just as smart and successful as any other sighted child. I learned braille and to read and I learned valuable life skills that I will never forget. These are the champions in my life and I just pray those who teach and support the children with disabilities in this world realize how valuable, needed, and beloved they are to those children and to their parents as well.

    1. Hi Kerry and welcome to Aha!NOW,

      Thanks for sharing your post. Of course the teacher and students pair of Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller is well known over the world.

      I’m glad to know that you value and respect the teachers in your life. Yes, they do offer us things, which they are skilled or trained to do so as part of their profession, but they make even deeper impact on the lives of the students, and make them valuable.

      I’ve great respect for the teachers of children with disabilities, as they give more and work harder than those of the sighted children. I’m glad you had the privilege to study under the champions of your life.

      Thanks for sharing your views and do have a great day ahead! 🙂

  44. Hi Harleena,

    Thank you for reminding of the teacher’s day celebration. I am hundred percent sure that I would have completely missed it if it wasn’t for your blog post 🙂

    Speaking of Teachers Day, I have a very special relationship with this day because both my parents are retired teachers. According to Vedas, mother is the first teacher (guru) for every child and in my case, my mother was also the principle of the school I went to up to 7th standard.

    And then I went to high school when my father was principles. So, as you can see, I have been under supervision of my parents till I was out of high school. I was a sharp student. But, I was also notoriously mischievous and that means I got more punishments than anybody else especially because my parents would punish me just a little more than they would to other students to set an example 🙂

    Without a doubt, I have seen the best examples in my parents and they have been a great source of inspiration for me especially after college because I feel so proud of them when I look back and think of how the discipline me and taught me the right lessons, the right principles and the right values which drive my decisions and today.

    Thank you very much for this wonderful post and you have a wonderful new week and happy teachers day!

    Regards,
    Kumar

    1. Hi Kumar,

      Glad you read this post and re-found this forgotten beautiful memory of childhood! 🙂

      It’s nice to know about your parents, and that both were administrators in school. I’m sure it must have been tough to be under your parents in school, but then the children of the Principal has benefits too as he or she gains attention from the rest of the staff and students, isn’t it?

      Of course, mother is the first teacher and grandparents are no less. Most of us have been mischievous when in school, and its funny that later in life we tend to respect those teachers who punished us in our childhood.

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts and views about parents being teachers in life. Thanks for sharing experiences from your personal life too, I appreciate it very much.

      Have a great week ahead and a happy teachers day too! 🙂

  45. Hi Harleena,

    Teachers’ Day brings many memories…the flowers, the cards, the colourful attire in which the senior most students vied with each other to emulate their favourite teacher!:) This is the day when every teacher feels on top of the world, looks at her/his students with great pride and rededicates herself to the building of such individuals whom she can call the pride of her Nation!

    Whatever we are today, the values that we cherish and follow are picked up from our teachers as their role is no less significant than the parents. In fact many of my students called me their foster mother. They could share their fears and insecurities more with their teachers. Thanks for sharing a lovely video and taking us down the memory lane! Have a nice day!

    1. Hi Balroop,

      Yes, those were the good days and good memories of the Teacher’s Day celebrations in school. That used to be a big event, and later as a teacher, I’d get plenty of hand made cards from students, and that really made you feel good. 🙂

      In fact, teachers should be the most respected of the all professionals, because they lay down the foundation. They deserve all credit, but it is sad to hear that many teachers work being underpaid and in unfavorable conditions.

      You are certainly a good teacher, and one can make that out by how the students interact and react with them. I’m glad that this post reminded you of the good old days.

      Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts. Have a great week! 🙂

  46. Hi Harleena,

    Thanks for sharing this post and reminding us all of the important rolls of teachers. in my life there were those at school. there was also my grandmother mary nanny wagner. My dad max sr. taught me a lot of the big lessons many of them while we were riding up and down the highways moving the carnival. i had a scout master james duncan and his assistant dave crandle. there was my orientation and mobility teacher catherine stewart and the head of the special education department mrs. frantz. I hope i am as good a teacher as they have been. thanks again and take care, max

    1. Hi Max,

      No matter what, teachers are still important. A child spends a big chunk of time in school and the teachers among other factors do influence him or her, favorably of unfavorably. Of course, parents and grandparents are the first and best teachers.

      It’s so good to know that you still remember the teachers who taught or helped you in life. It is said you become like what you like, so yes, you are a great teacher like them too!

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts and have a great day! 🙂

      1. Hi Harleena; thanks for that complement. I have learned a lot especially in the last few years and I’m glad I can share some of what I’ve learned with my readers. I don’t know if you can be a truly great teacher without having students or a classroom. as a life long teacher maybe you can address that. thanks again, max

  47. Hi Harleena,

    My very first teacher was my grandmother. 🙂

    I grew up with my grandparents. My parents were separated at the time and my mom couldn’t raise me by herself and so my grandparents took over and adopted. My grandmother took care of me since I was only 3-days old.

    My dad didn’t even send money for milk. I’m not sure what my mom was doing. But I have been a mom before and both of my daughters were breast-fed and I have never used commercial milk to feed my daughters. And so I dunno why grandma needed money for commercial milk. What happened to my mom? She couldn’t feed me or what. God knows!

    Anyway, like I said I was raised by my grandparents. I didn’t know my real parents til I was 6-7 years old. I was appalled. But I accepted the truth. I thought my parents were my aunt & uncle. Anyway, to make the long story short.

    Grandma was always beside me *teaching* me things. She was my hero. She was my angel. She was the love of my life who took care of me since day one. She loved me more than my real parents love me. Grandpa was a great father too!

    That video of Rita Pierson is a great speaker. We, students, owe our life to great Educators. From home to school. They should get paid more but they are underpaid.

    Anyhoo, Happy Teacher’s Day!

    Angela

    1. Hi Angela,

      That’s very interesting indeed, and I think you’d mentioned about your grandmother in an earlier post too and the great love you have for her 🙂

      The love of grandparents is wonderful I would say and no one but them could have taken over such a responsibility, especially when your own parents couldn’t due to family problems. This is one thing I’ve seen with most grandparents and have written in great details in one of my earlier posts on grandparents too.

      I am sure there must’ve been some reasons as to why your mom couldn’t feed you. Perhaps she was too young a mother and sometimes the milk production is a problem at a young age or even if there are medical issues, sometimes even due to stress and tension.

      It must’ve been pretty worrisome at that tender an age to realize that your parents were someone else or that you had to live with another family now, and leaving your granny must’ve been heartbreaking.

      I know you always remember them so fondly and I’ve seen a few of your FB status about it too. They’re so lucky to have you in their lives as well and would be so proud of all that you’ve achieved so far.

      I am glad you enjoyed Rita’s video, she is inspirational, isn’t she? Yes, you are very right about the underpaid teachers, yet they carry on teaching and giving their best, all through the years to make us better people.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences with us. Loved to hear all about your grandparents. Happy Teacher’s Day to you too 🙂

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