World Teachers' Day

World Teachers' Day

October 5 is World Teachers' Day. Find out which famous people want to say thank you to their school teachers for their success.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises.

Preparation

Who shapes the person you are the most? Parents or other family members are probably at the top of the list for many people. But a close second place is very likely to go to a teacher. Some of the most influential and successful people in the world have a teacher in their childhood to thank for their success.

The teachers behind famous people

Can you imagine life without the personal computer? Well, without two of Bill Gates's high school teachers, that could be our world today. Gates's maths teacher, Fred Wright, asked him to push himself just a little bit harder. Maybe that's why the founder of Microsoft sometimes slept under his desk in the office instead of going home to relax after work. And his drama teacher, Anne Stephens, helped him discover a love of the spotlight when she made the sometimes withdrawn schoolboy the star of the school play. Gates thanked his teachers, saying, 'There's no way there would be a Microsoft without them doing what they did.'

And he's not the only one. Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, actress and TV producer, was inspired by her fourth grade (age 9–10) teacher, Mrs Duncan. Because of her, Oprah says, 'I felt I could take on the world. You did exactly what teachers are supposed to do. They create a spark for learning that lives with you from then on. It's why I have a talk show today.'

An adult you can trust

For some children, teachers are the only positively influential people in their lives. Antwone Fisher, a best-selling writer, grew up in foster homes, and didn't have many adults that he could trust. But a primary school teacher, Mrs Profitt, was the first adult he ever trusted. 'She spoke to all of us the same way – with respect. No one spoke to me that way before. I think that being with her for three years made all the difference.'

Celebrate teachers

There are thousands more stories like this, from famous people and ordinary people all across the world. That's why UNESCO celebrates teachers on 5 October every year. UNESCO wants us to remember that education is a basic human right and every child should have free education. UNESCO hopes to train 69 million new teachers by 2030 so that everyone can go to school, because, sadly, 264 million children in the world today are not in school because there aren't enough teachers. Those children are often in places where life is already very difficult because they live in poor areas or far away from cities and towns, or they are escaping war in their own countries.

A day to say 'Thank you'

So, if you have a teacher, you're one of the lucky ones. One day, you'll probably look back at your life, your successes, the dreams you've made come true or the difficult things you've survived. The chances are high that you'll find a teacher's words have helped you achieve these things. Perhaps you already know who that teacher will be. Why not find them and say thank you today on World Teachers' Day?

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Submitted by LuisFrancisco on Tue, 05/12/2023 - 23:06

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I had great teachers during my childhood who supported me to achieve my goals, I will always be grateful for the education I received. My favourite teacher was an English one who supported me when I was in high school and whose classes were engaging and creative. My teacher taught me that you don't need to be a "brainy one" only you need is to be a motivated student. If it weren't for that special teacher I wouldn't be studying English.

Submitted by Pandavarajashekar on Thu, 02/11/2023 - 05:16

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the best teacher i have ever had is my school headmaster .I have not learned education in my school and learned how to live in outside world because of his words .I am now very happy for my life and he is the best teacher I have and no one can replace him from my mind .his name is Madhu sir.
thank you.

Submitted by Ibrahimyousef on Mon, 02/10/2023 - 15:46

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Who in the best teachers have you ever had ?
When I was a child , I would like a math teacher because it replied to give an encouragement subject .
Both Arabic and the English language were learned by his teacher at the age of 14 .

Submitted by Valentinaes2 on Thu, 28/09/2023 - 15:49

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When I read the article immediately I thought in my leardership's teacher at University because all of his classes were amazing. He always tried to encourage to know ourselves. Once he said that a shy person never could be a leader and in that time the comment bothered me because I wanted to be a great leader but I was so shy. Later I understood that he wanted that all of his students tried to be better and people with self-confidents. Today I have to say Thanks to my teacher because today I try to be my best version and expand my relations.

Submitted by jyoti Chaudhary on Fri, 13/05/2022 - 12:13

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Who is the best teacher you've ever had?

when I was in my childhood. one of my teacher he always motivated me and he was my physical education teacher. he came in the class and asked me to check everyone notebook and who never do homework you bit him with the scale and that time many student didn't done homework. and i did what my teacher said. and he is my favourite teacher.

Submitted by Hector on Thu, 07/10/2021 - 03:34

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All teachers deserve our respect as they all shaped the persons we are today. You could never complain about any teachers, from the demanding and strict to the friendly and relaxed they all gave their best to make us understand the world and how we had to behave. Of course all parents are also included in the list of teachers. Thank you all for everything.

Submitted by Thinthinmyoe on Fri, 22/01/2021 - 11:03

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I have many teachers in my life.I think I was inspired by each teacher.But, U Than Naing Soe is the teacher I admire most.I knew how to study English because of his guidance.I was interested in reading books as his well-read speech.I would like to tell all my teachers here.Thanks a lot for everything!
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Submitted by danisep on Sun, 20/12/2020 - 22:01

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My best teacher was in kindergarten I think that almost everybody felt 'kid love' for his first teacher, I would like to say that I had a teacher that taught me to be better student or person but at least that I saw was just teachers that limited themselves to teaching and expels and ignore who shows rebel or challenge them, but later in university I learned the importance of lifelong learning watching those teachers that know a subject deeply and spread knowledge in his classes. Actually I enjoy learn new things everyday.

Submitted by cittàutopica on Thu, 03/12/2020 - 16:17

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I have had many good teachers during my schooling and university curriculum, but I remember with enormous gratitude my teacher of the elementary school, who taught me the sense of duty and a great love for the studies.

Submitted by Lilly098 on Fri, 30/10/2020 - 03:23

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The most impressive teacher who I ever met taught me the most important things in a life. When I was at elementary, I felt pity on my classmate who was cleaning after school; he volunteered because no one else did. Instead of helping him, we just made fun of his kindness. Teacher got so furious about this and gave us speech - "No one can feel pity or laugh at someone who is doing their best. No one can judge something which you've never done or you're not even trying to do. Think what you have done to him just right now" Since then, I always try to help or encourage someone who is doing their best. I wish I could meet her again and express my gratitude.