Knowledge is power. And the people who give us this gift are teachers.
As Nobel Peace Prize winner, activist and terrorism survivor Malala Yousafzai said, “Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.”
When you learn something, your brain changes. It has grown and it cannot return to what it was before. And connecting the dots between different bits of knowledge is what leads to critical thinking and creativity.
Knowledge inspires you to think outside the box. To be passionate and curious. As Irish writer William Butler Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
And the people with the spark are teachers.
October 5th is World Teachers’ Day. A day to celebrate those who help our youth build the future. Those who can change a life by telling someone they are enough. That they can do anything.
I wrote this ode to teachers years ago when our School Council celebrated World Teachers’ Day. Thank you to all the people who dedicate their lives to growing minds.
What is a teacher?
It’s a person who fights
For the future of students
Works hard days and nights.
Preparing the classroom
Marking the math
Igniting kids’ passions
To stay on the path.
They spend their own money
To do what it takes
Bring the children on school trips
To museums and lakes.
They weave a good story
To spark in each mind
The glorious connection
Of knowledge they find.
Thank you for caring
For your students, our young
For being their leaders
For making school fun.
Have a great day
And be proud of you, too.
For the future is shaped
By people like you.