essay about a teacher who inspires you

The teachers who inspired us, and even changed the trajectories of our lives

Rita Pierson leads off TED Talks Education, our first televised event, which will air on PBS on May 7. Photo: Ryan Lash

Rita Pierson is the kind of teacher you wish you had. An educator for 40 years, she is funny, sharp and simply has a way with words — so much so that today’s talk feels a bit like a sermon.

“I have had classes so low, so academically deficient that I cried. I wondered, ‘How am I going to take this group in nine months from where they are to where they need to be?” says Pierson, in this amazing talk . “I came up with a bright idea … I gave them a saying: ‘I am somebody. I was somebody when I came and I’ll be a better somebody when I leave. I am powerful and I am strong. I deserve the education that I get here’ … You say it long enough, it starts to be a part of you.”

Pierson’s talk will open our first-ever television special, TED Talks Education, which airs Tuesday, May 7 at 10/9c on PBS. It will be an exhilarating night, featuring talks from educators and innovators with bold ideas, plus performances from host John Legend. Set your DVRs and read lots more here »

In honor of Rita Pierson and TED Talks Education, I asked the TED staff: who is that one teacher who just really, truly influenced you?

“The teacher who changed my life was, serendipitously, my English teacher for kindergarten, 7th grade and senior year of high school. Ms. Barbato taught me how to write eloquently (I hope!), and she had this unexplained faith in me that really galvanized me as a student. What she taught me stuck with me through college and beyond.” — Olivier Sherman, Distribution Coordinator

“Mr. Eric Yang was only in his mid-twenties when I had him as my AP government teacher, but he was unforgettable. He was the first teacher I had who made keeping up with current events mandatory, forcing us to read news sources on our own time and not just from the textbook. He exuded discipline, and that was contagious.” — Thu-Huong Ha , Editorial Projects Specialist

“Mrs. Bailey was my English teacher. I loved her. I was the younger sister of an already very successful big sister, and that was a cloud over my head too. She held my hand and brought me into the sun with her love of the English language. She recommended books just to me, she made me feel special and I just couldn’t get enough of her. I went on a school trip to Amsterdam with her and she brought her husband, who was an artist. She changed my life.” — Juliet Blake , TED TV (who executive produced TED Talks Education)

“Mrs. Mendelson, my 8th-grade English teacher. This was my first year living in the U.S. I think she set the stage for future learning and she’s the main reason I have such good English right now, both written and spoken. So, thank you, Mrs. Mendelson.”  — Ruben Marcos, intern

“I still recall how awesome my 6th-grade teacher, Mr. Fawess, was. Middle school in general is basically Hades. I was extremely small, super nerdy, and had a unibrow, asthma and glasses — plus I left school once a week to take classes at the local high school. I got picked on a lot. Mr. Fawess came up with all these ways to take my mind off that — he talked to me about bullying and how to let things roll off your shoulder and gave me books I could read outside of class. He got me thinking about college early and what kinds of subjects I was most interested in. I consider myself lucky to have had such an inspiring teacher. If only he had discouraged me from dressing up as the skunk in our annual school play.” — Amanda Ellis , TEDx Projects Coordinator

“Robert Baldwin’s class ‘Essay and Inquiry.’ Every day: Walk into class. Sit down. Look at the handout on every desk. Read it. Start writing. Class ends — stop writing. Every day. Except Wednesday, when we’d put the desks in a circle and everyone would read something they’d written. The prompts were everything from simple questions like, “What’s your favorite memory of trees?” to readings from Rachel Carson or W.B. Yeats or Orson Welles. It was a whirlwind of ideas, and the constant writing forced us to wrestle with them, and (tritely but correctly) ourselves. It was like a boot camp in thinking. People I know who took, and loved, that class went on to some of the most amazing careers. Every time we get together, we gush about the quiet, unassuming, force of nature that was Mr. Baldwin. He would have hated that last sentence, because the metaphor is strained. But he also taught us to ignore authority, so I’m writing it anyway.” — Ben Lillie , Writer/Editor

“Mrs. Lewis, my 5th-grade teacher, read to us every week. She made us put our heads on the desk and close our eyes and then read wonderful stories to us: The Golden Pine Cone , The Diamond Feather .. . It made our imaginations come alive.” — Janet McCartney , Director of Events

“My junior high school science teacher, Dr. Ernie Roy, with his outsized laugh and booming voice, was one of my very favorite teachers. He demonstrated to us how important we were to him by making what were obviously personal sacrifices on our behalf: when the lab needed equipment, we knew he had purchased some of it on his own; when we couldn’t get a bus for a field trip, he took a few of us in his own car (something which could have gotten him into quite a bit of trouble); and when a big science fair deadline loomed large, he opened the lab every weekend to help us with our experiments. At a point in my life when I didn’t have a lot of guidance or positive role models, he taught me a lot more than science; he taught me, by example, the power of sacrifice, discipline and self-respect.” — Michael McWatters , UX Architect

“Dr. Heller, my 10th-grade social studies teacher, taught me that passion is the key to learning. I had never met anyone from kindergarten to 10th grade that matched his raw passion for the  meaning  behind historical events, and it was so contagious.” — Deron Triff , Director of Distribution

“Rene Arcilla, a professor of Educational Philosophy at NYU, changed the way I think.  Prior to that class, I hadn’t truly been challenged about what *I* actually thought — much of my educational life was about regurgitating answers. Rene was the first teacher who asked me questions that he/we didn’t know the answers to. Realizing that I had to actually provide the answers from within myself, and not look to an outside source, was very difficult at first. It was a muscle I had to build. I owe a lot of who I am today — and even this job — to the introspective, critical and philosophical thinking I learned from Rene’s classes.” — Susan Zimmerman , Executive Assistant to the Curator

“Mr. Downey — 7th- and 8th-grade Humanities. Still the hardest class I’ve ever taken!  I’d credit Mr. Downey with helping me think more expansively about the world. Right before 8th-grade graduation, he showed us Dead Poets Society , and on the final day of class we all agreed to stand on our desks and recite ‘O Captain, my captain.’  It was all very dramatic and I think there were tears.” — Jennifer Gilhooley, Partnership Development

“I took my first painting class my sophomore year of high school and fell in love with it. My teacher, Ms. Bowen, told me I could use the art studio whenever I wanted to, and gave me access to all kinds of new paints and canvasses. I spent almost every lunch period there for a few years, and regularly stayed in the studio after school ended. One day, Ms. Bowen told me that a parent of a student I had painted expressed interest in buying the painting of her daughter. After that first sale, I painted portraits of kids in my school on a commission basis, and continued to do so for the remainder of my high school experience. Thanks to Ms. Bowen’s mentorship, I felt empowered to try to make money from something I was passionate about and loved to do.  Here  is one of the paintings.” — Cloe Shasha , TED Projects Coordinator

“I had a chemistry teacher, Mr. Sampson, who used to meet me at school an hour before it started to tutor me when the material wasn’t clicking. That was the first class I had ever really struggled with, and he made this investment to help me get through the material — but more importantly learn that I could teach myself anything.”  —Stephanie Kent, Special Projects

“On the first day of my Elementary Italian Immersion class, I asked to be excused to use the restroom in English. Professor Agostini kept speaking rapidly in Italian as I squirmed in my seat. Since she seemed unclear about my request, I asked her again to no avail. Finally, I flipped through my brand-new Italian-English dictionary and discovered the words, ‘ Posso usare il bagno per favore .’ Suddenly, she flashed me a smile, handed me the key, told me where to go in  Italian , and pointed to my dictionary so I could learn how to follow her directions. Even though I only studied with her for one semester, I will never forget that I emerged from her class knowing intermediate-level Italian.” — Jamia Wilson, TED Prize Storyteller

“My history teacher in high school, Mr. Cook, challenged us to think hard about what happened in the past and directly related it to what was happening around us. He gave us ways to try and predict what could happen in the future. He was the first person to make me take ownership of what it meant to be a citizen and the social responsibility that came with that. Because he taught ‘World History’ rather than a regionally specific class, we learned extensively about other countries, and I am convinced he is the reason that I went abroad to Ghana in college and I am now still an avid traveler today.” — Samantha Kelly, Fellows Group

“The professor who taught me Intro to Women and Gender Studies my sophomore year of college completely changed my framework for thinking about human relationships within a hierarchy. She brought coffee and tea to class for us every morning to congratulate us for being so dedicated to learning as to choose an 8:30 a.m. class. When I emailed her to say I’d be out sick, she sent me a get-well e-card. And when, in a fit of undergraduate irresponsibility, I simply failed to do an assignment, she wasn’t the least bit mad — instead, I received a phone call from her a week after the end of the semester informing me that, because I’d done such good work, she couldn’t bear to give me the B+ I numerically deserved. It was incredible to see how fully she lived the subject she taught; the philosophy of compassion and equality.” — Morton Bast , Editorial Assistant

“My high school photography teacher, Susan Now. I’m convinced that the support I got from Susan got me through high school. Two years later, when I was freaked out about transferring colleges, I, without hesitation, called her for advice. She made me feel comfortable and challenged me to speak up and be confident with expressing myself as a student. So valuable!” — Ella Saunders-Crivello, Partnerships Coordinator

“Cliff Simon, one of my college professors, taught me that wisdom is the greatest pursuit, our skills and passions are transferable, and that fear will only ever always hold us back.  To this day, he’s a great mentor.  We’re now great friends, and I even officiated his wedding ceremony.” — Jordan Reeves, TED-Ed Community Manager

“My 10th-grade biology teacher spoke and interacted with me like I was a grown-up individual and not one of a batch of ‘kids.’ He made us all fascinated with the subjects he taught because he spoke to us not at us. I always worked hard to match that capacity that he saw in me. He was only in his 50s when, a few years after I graduated, he died suddenly of a heart attack. Lots of sad former students.” — Ladan Wise , Product Development Manager

“Stephen O’Leary, my professor and mentor at the University of Southern California, showed me that the quality of my thinking could be directly traced to the quality of the authors I referenced in my bibliography. This realization motivated me to both seek and challenge everything I have read ever since. This habit likely played a part in me finding myself so passionate about being a part of TED.” — Sarah Shewey , TEDActive Program Producer

“My high school art teacher was equal parts smart and silly, and always insightful. Mr. Miller showed a bunch of restless seniors that art class wasn’t just about memorizing which painters influenced which periods. Instead, he taught us that art was — at its core — an exciting way to touch both the head and the heart. Mr. Miller took our  class to the Met in New York one warm spring afternoon, a trip I’ll never forget. Great art, he told us, was about great ideas, and not simply the pleasing arrangement of color, shape and form. Thank you, Russ Miller.” — Jim Daly, TED Books 

“Mrs. Presley, my 1st-grade teacher, advanced my reading skills to full-on chapter book independence … and for that I’ll be forever grateful! But the most valuable gift she gave me was self-esteem. At my school, we’d bring a brown bag lunch with our name written on the bag. I always wanted a middle name like the other kids, and this daily ritual made me feel the lack. I must have let my mom know, because she started to write middle names on my bag. At first it started: ‘Marla Ruby Mitchnick.’ Then ‘Marla Ruby Diamond Mitchnick,’ and then ‘Marla Ruby Diamond Violet Mitchnick,’ and so on. Mrs. Presley never skipped a single syllable — she just read it straight through, and I felt like a beloved and fortunate person with a beautiful name, surrounded by wonderful friends.” — Marla Mitchnick , Film + Video Editor

“I signed up for Journalism 1 in high school having no idea what I was getting myself into. Marcie Pachino ran a rigorous course on the joys of telling other people’s stories and on the extreme responsibility that comes with reporting news that might otherwise go unheard. She was kind and inspiring, but wouldn’t hesitate to give you an edit of an article that simply read ‘Ugh’ in big red letters. The key: you always knew she was right. I went on to become a journalist professionally and, in all my years of writing, I’ve never encountered a more demanding editor.” — Kate Torgovnick, Writer (the author of this post)

“Professor Stephen Commins completely changed my  learning experience at UCLA. He pushed the boundaries of what I thought I could accomplish as an undergrad, and having him as my research professor improved my quality of education tenfold. I’ll never forget in my last lecture with him, he left our class with this piece of advice: to work on poverty domestically before attempting to help those abroad, because you aren’t truly a development professional until you have done both.” — Chiara Baldanza, Coordinator

“My high school English teacher Veronica Stephenson went above and beyond to allow me the opportunity to dive into theater and acting in a very underfunded arts community. She saw passion in me, and engaged it by spending a lot of her own time and effort to help me pursue something I loved. I learned so much from her and got more personalized experience than I probably would have from a more arts-focused curriculum due solely to her faith in me.” —Emilie Soffe, Office Coordinator

Now it’s your turn. Who is the teacher who most inspired you? Please share in your comments.

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Essay on My Teacher My Inspiration

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Teacher My Inspiration in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Teacher My Inspiration

Introduction.

Teachers play a crucial role in shaping our lives. They are the ones who ignite the spark of curiosity and help us discover our passions. My teacher, Mrs. Smith, is my inspiration.

Guidance and Support

Mrs. Smith always guides and supports me. She has a unique way of making learning fun and interesting. She encourages creativity and critical thinking.

Life Lessons

Beyond academics, Mrs. Smith teaches important life lessons. She emphasizes the values of honesty, kindness, and resilience. These teachings inspire me to be a better person.

In conclusion, Mrs. Smith, my teacher, is my inspiration. She has greatly influenced my life and I am grateful for her presence.

250 Words Essay on My Teacher My Inspiration

Teachers are the guiding lights that illuminate our paths to knowledge and wisdom. They are not just educators, but role models, mentors, and inspirations. My teacher, in particular, has been a significant source of inspiration for me.

Embodiment of Knowledge

My teacher is a veritable treasure trove of knowledge. Their profound understanding of the subject matter and ability to simplify complex concepts has always left me in awe. It is their knowledge that has ignited the spark of curiosity within me, encouraging me to delve deeper into my studies.

Instilling Values

Beyond academics, my teacher has been instrumental in instilling in me values of integrity, discipline, and empathy. They have shown me that education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about developing character and becoming a responsible and compassionate individual.

Perseverance Personified

My teacher’s resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges have been a source of great inspiration. Their determination to overcome obstacles and their unwavering commitment to their profession have taught me the value of perseverance and hard work.

In conclusion, my teacher has been a beacon of inspiration in my life, shaping my character and guiding me towards knowledge. They have shown me the importance of perseverance, instilled in me valuable life values, and ignited my curiosity. It is through their guidance that I have been able to navigate my academic journey with confidence and enthusiasm.

500 Words Essay on My Teacher My Inspiration

The beacon of knowledge: my teacher.

Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of students. They are the architects of a nation’s future, molding young minds into responsible citizens. My teacher, a paragon of wisdom and patience, has been my greatest inspiration, instilling within me a thirst for knowledge and a love for learning.

The Epitome of Patience

Patience is the hallmark of my teacher’s persona. I have observed her dealing with the most challenging situations with an unruffled calmness. She has the ability to transform complex concepts into simple, digestible information. This patience is not confined to the academic realm alone. She extends it to understanding the unique personality of each student, recognizing their strengths and weaknesses, and guiding them accordingly. Her patience has taught me the importance of perseverance and resilience, shaping my approach towards challenges in life.

A Source of Motivation

My teacher is a constant source of motivation. Her passion for teaching and dedication to her profession is infectious. She has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, which she passes on to her students. Her words of encouragement have always been a source of strength to me, pushing me to strive for excellence. She has shown me that learning is not a destination, but a journey of discovery, exploration, and enlightenment.

The Power of Empathy

Empathy, a virtue often overlooked, is another quality I admire in my teacher. She has the ability to understand the emotional state of her students, providing comfort and guidance during difficult times. This empathetic approach fosters a nurturing and inclusive environment in the classroom, allowing students to express themselves freely. Her empathy has inspired me to be more understanding and compassionate towards others.

Beyond the academic sphere, my teacher has instilled in me the importance of ethical values. Honesty, integrity, respect for others, and self-discipline are some of the values that she emphasizes. She leads by example, demonstrating these values in her interactions with students and colleagues. These lessons have been instrumental in shaping my character and guiding my actions.

Conclusion: A Lasting Impact

The influence of a good teacher can never be erased. My teacher, through her knowledge, patience, motivation, empathy, and moral teachings, has left an indelible mark on my life. She has not just taught me academic lessons, but also life lessons that I will carry with me throughout my journey. She is more than just a teacher; she is my inspiration, my guiding star leading me towards knowledge and wisdom. In the words of Henry Adams, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”

In conclusion, my teacher has played an integral role in my personal and academic development. Her influence extends beyond the classroom, shaping my values, attitudes, and outlook on life. She is, indeed, my greatest inspiration.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on My Ambition in Life to Become a Teacher
• Essay on I Want to Become a Teacher Because
• Essay on A Class Without a Teacher

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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The teacher who inspired me

Andrew motion former poet laureate.

My background was very unbookish, and there was absolutely no expectation from my family of my ever reading very much or even writing anything. I wanted to birdwatch and be left alone. Then I was taught English by Peter Way (Mr Way to me), and it was as though he walked into my head and turned all the lights on.

He manifested in everything he said and did that poems were not a strange addition to life, but a part of it. And that is one of the great lessons of my life. He didn't know he was doing this, but he gave me my life. He lent me poems he liked and I showed him poems I had written, which weren't really poems but more an explosion of words. But he took me completely seriously. He introduced me to Woods, ­Larkin, Keats, Edward Thomas – all people who have meant more to me than anyone else. His way of teaching was very searching but also very passionate and scrupulous. When I left, he gave me the latest published edition of Moly by Thom Gunn, which had druggy poems in it. It was wonderful ­evidence of his broadmindedness – as if I needed any proof. He was an exemplary figure to me and now a dear friend. I don't doubt that if he hadn't taught me English, I would now be working for the RSPB.

Sarah Waters, Novelist

My most inspiring teacher was Ed Tanguay ; he taught me art A-level at Milford Haven grammar school, south-west Wales, in the early 1980s. He was a really brilliant guy – inspiring in the best possible way, not just because he had all sorts of technical expertise and was good at passing it on, but because he encouraged us to think. Until he came along, art classes had been about putting a few objects on the desk and drawing them; he got us to do all sorts of crazy exercises – things about perception and response. He was a bit of an iconoclast, I suppose. One day he arrived at school having forgotten to wear a tie; he got us to make him one out of painted cardboard. He was ­everything a good teacher should be: stern at times, but good-­natured; clever, creative, and fun.

Michael Morpurgo, Author

I'm the proud owner of a third- class degree and have been teaching for 40 years, so I'm interested to learn that the Tories don't think I'd be up to the job now. The teacher who most inspired me was Edred Wright , director of music at the King's School, Canterbury. His great gift was being able to inspire children (like me) who weren't necessarily musically gifted – that's what we should require of teachers in all subjects. With Mr Wright it was never about improving the reputation of the school, just his intense love of music. What that man taught me aged 14 has ­enriched my entire life.

Robert Peston, BBC business editor

I went to a north London comprehensive in the 1970s. It was called Highgate Wood, and it had been created out of a secondary modern. The ethos of the school, created by the head, Eurof Walters, was that every kid deserved an equal chance to succeed. They were great at not writing off anyone – and lots of kids were given opportunities they wouldn't have had under a selective system.

Two teachers had a particularly big impact on me: Ruby Galili who taught history, and Peter Hudgell , head of English. I have no idea what qualifications they had, but they loved their respective subjects, knew tonnes about them, and were brilliant at communicating their learning and their enthusiasm. I still keep in touch with Ruby. She has ­always been supportive, then and now. She's like all great teachers – consistent.

Deborah Moggach, Author

My most inspiring teacher was my English teacher at Camden school for girls. She was called Margot Heinemann and wasn't like a teacher at all, she was a hugely intelligent woman with large dark eyes and a Past. This included ­being the lover of John Cornford, a beautiful young poet who died in the Spanish civil war, and what could be more potent than that? I adored her, we all did, because she treated us as grownups. Camden girls were famously grownup anyway, alarmingly so, but she seemed to take that for granted even more than the other staff. She introduced us to The Waste Land, to books outside the curriculum, and somehow to life itself, with all its tragedy as well as its possibilities.

Paddy Ashdown, Politician

John Eyre really changed my life. He persuaded me to join the poetry society (which all rugby playing "hearties" resolutely despised) and gave me a lifetime love of poetry, even getting me to write some for the school magazine. Eyre lit in me a fire for literature, especially Shakespeare, which has never gone out. He persuaded me to act in the school play (I was a wordless monk in Auden and Isherwood's The ­Ascent of F6). He even, with the assistance of another master in my house, got me to join a group to sing in (and win!) a madrigal competition – which, to anyone who knows my totally tuneless voice and incapacity to hold a melody, was nothing short of a miracle.

I went to see him for lunch in 2001, five years before he died. He had lost none of his old spark, or his impish and acerbic nature. He opened our last meeting with, "Ah yes, Ashdown – you were ­always an interesting boy. But you were one of the few to surprise me – I never thought you would get as far as you have. Still, there's no ­accounting for fate is there?"

Kamila Shamsie, Novelist

Through much of my childhood in Karachi I was painfully insecure. In classrooms, when the teacher asked a question, I'd never raise my hand because I'd worry I was wrong. All this changed in class five when Mrs Rehman was my class teacher. I still don't know how she did it – but in the kindness of her manner, in a certain way she had of asking a question and then looking directly at me as though to say, "Go on, speak up: if you're wrong, that's OK," she made me feel confident. It's not that I started to believe I always had the right answers; instead I came to see that not knowing the right answers wasn't such a problem. From Mrs Rehman I learnt to feel more comfortable in my own skin.

Michael ­Winner, Director and critic

When I was 17, I went to a private tutorial establishment that was based in Buckingham Gate and Guildford, and met the greatest educationalist I have ever met. Her name was KM Hobbs . She wrote to my parents and told them I was illiterate. She said, "If you think your son is ­going to get into Cambridge, you'll have a long wait." Within a year I had passed the ­necessary exams and I was a student at Cambridge, still at the age of 17. She turned a moron into something close to a genius. That was a great achievement.

Sharon Horgan, Comedian

I didn't have great luck with my teachers. I remember a series of chinless wonders and impotent bullies. And that was just the nuns. The only one I ever think about was a lady from my primary school days called Eileen Daly . She was tough as a brick, scary, ­opinionated, a bit of a dark horse, she'd tell you to sit down and shut up if she felt like it, but she had the ability to make kids feel like they were individually important. And she had a sense of humour. I remember once ­cycling with my friend to the village where she lived and knocking on her door, hoping to sell her some tickets for a sponsored charity thing. She invited us into her home. We sat around, drinking coffee and shooting the breeze with her, like equals. It was so exciting. She bought a load of tickets and we left buzzing from all the caffeine. The thought of making her proud makes me happy.

Bonnie Greer, Playwright and critic

One of my best teachers was my history professor, Dr Turner , at university at the beginning of the 1970s. He laid the facts down and was able to show how history moved in cycles. He predicted the disaster of Richard Nixon and Watergate, based on Nixon's activities in the 1950s. He let me see that history is written by the victors not the vanquished, and that it is always necessary to ­investigate – never to take ­anyone's word for anything.

Alexei Sayle, Author and actor

When I was at foundation art college in Southport there was a teacher there called Max Eden who had known ­Picasso in the 1950s. He was wonderfully ­dismissive about things like art A-level. "Just draw the fingernails and you'll pass," he told me. He also showed me how the way you lived your life could be a work of art. Recently I opened a new wing of Southport college and they gave me one of his paintings, which I treasure.

Kate Mosse, Author

I went to a comprehensive school in Sussex in the 1970s, where one teacher stood out, my A-level English teacher, Henry Thomas . He was by way of being an eccentric – tall, patrician, often done up in a white suit and Panama – kind of a Jean Brodie, though young and English. He was passionate about writing, reading, talking too, always engaged and enthusiastic, and made each lesson unique, fun, exciting. He didn't suffer fools, but in return treated us as thinking people with opinions worth listening to. As a result, we all raised our game and, in his lessons, were students rather than schoolgirls. Most important – and even harder these days of league tables and inflexibility – he encouraged us to think not about passing exams and grades, but rather the books themselves and the writers behind them. An exceptional teacher.

Rory Bremner, Comedian

Derek Swift taught me French at Wellington College. He was ­unconventional, original and ­inspiring, constantly inventing his own teaching materials and covering the whiteboard with words and phrases in anything from German to Serbo-Croat. In his class of 24, 21 got A grades and 3 got Bs. He taught us Russian in his spare time – four got As and two got Bs. We were like Alan Bennett's History Boys. He always challenged us, setting sixth-formers Oxbridge Finals prose exams and using Asterix and other comic strips as ­learning aids. He also introduced me to Voltaire's novel Candide – and therefore to satire.

Shazia Mirza, Comedian

My drama teacher Mrs Fisher-Jones was a great teacher. She always told me I was really funny and that I should develop that. I didn't know what that meant – I hadn't even heard of stand-ups then. She would let us write our own plays and do improv. There were loads of us who didn't go into the arts but still remember what a brilliant teacher she was. I still get Christmas cards from her now. She says she always knew what I would do.

Trevor Baylis, Inventor

I failed my 11+ and went to Dormers Wells secondary modern in Southall after the second world war. We were considered to be inferior to those at grammar school and we were made to feel that as well. To start with, I didn't want to know. Teaching me must have been like trying to communicate with a slab of tripe. One teacher in particular encouraged me to get hands on. He taught woodwork and metalwork and showed me, literally, how to use a spanner. He would show you how to drill a bit of wood, how to sharpen your tools etc. He was a very bright type, a very intelligent chap but he was a very fatherly type too. This was before the days when health and safety came into the equation and we didn't have safety helmets but that helped me grow up as well. My teacher had to know about first aid because every lesson someone would cut their finger, so he was also a nurse as well.

David Nicholls, Writer

There was something of a double-act at my school (Toynbee Comprehensive, Eastleigh, 1977-1983); music teacher Mary Granger, and drama teacher David Dalton . Both showed incredible tolerance and enthusiasm, given that I had no discernible talent in either subject.

Miss Granger, in particular, was obliged to hear me alternate Imagine and In The Air Tonight on the rehearsal room piano, often for hours at a time. Both teachers gave a great deal of their own time to pursuing out-of-hours projects. "Strict but fair" is an awful cliche, but both managed to combine passion for their subjects with discipline and rigour. They also managed to conquer the suspicion and indifference of the (male) students. I sometimes wish that I'd had the same inspiration in more "sensible" vocational subjects. Instead I spent far too much of my adult life pursuing a career as an actor, without ever really having the ability to act.

Glyn Maxwell, Poet

In the old days there was a "seventh-term" set aside for Oxbridge candidates. There were only two or three of us going for it at my school, so we'd wander round, in and out of the building as we pleased, beholden to no one, a vaguely celestial "upper-upper-sixth".

One of my Oxbridge tutors was a man called Peter Gardiner . What was odd about Mr Gardiner was that he'd come from a glittering career in various top private schools – headmaster at one of the best – and, for his own reasons, had decided to finish his career as deputy head at our Welwyn Garden comprehensive. It seemed to me like this chap had walked right out of Greyfriars into Grange Hill. We made fun of his accent and his two posh middle names.

I went to him for one-to-one coaching in English. I'd shamble into his office reeking of smoke from the toilets, I'd not have read anything he recommended, I had all the miserable self-pity of the fortunate and promising. And this fiftysomething old gentleman – I didn't know any gentlemen – looked at me with the face of a passionate boy whose love of books and stories had filled his life to the brim.

We were different generations: I was the old at their worst: mind made up, black-or-white, full of myself, bad habits. He was the young at their best: open, innocent, self-effacing, eager to share. I think a great teacher isn't talking to you: he's talking to someone he can see inside you, so that in time you shed who you think you are, like an old skin, and walk out into the sun again as young as you can be.

Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty

I don't think it's enough that teachers just need to be an elite graduate – you have to like children and be skilled at communicating with them, so I would challenge the idea that you have to be an academic genius to be a good teacher. It is more about opening up children to the possibilities that come from learning. Many of my best teachers taught music. I was never going to be a professional musician, but that didn't matter – to have a teacher who took an interest in me, and shared their passion was hugely valuable.

I couldn't pick out a single teacher, I had many who inspired me. The difference between the teachers I loved and those I didn't was whether they treated me as a person, engaged in a debate. You may find this hard to believe, but I was probably quite a challenging, argumentative kid. The teachers who were best were the ones who realised how important intelligent dissent is, rather than churning out people who become cogs in the wheel. Not all were like this, but enough of my teachers respected me, encouraged my curiosity and dissenting nature.

Lynne Truss, Author and journalist

I went to Tiffin Girls in Kingston from 1966 to 1973, and my recollection is that it never occurred to any of us to criticise the teachers, or appreciate them very much either. In the run-up to my history O-level, I did realise I wasn't learning enough, but I blamed the period, not the teacher. To save the situation, I asked her whether I could look at some exam papers, to see what else I could answer questions on. Then I just mugged up this other stuff by myself. The best teacher I had taught religious knowledge, so I took it to A-level, despite being a non-believer. His name was Levi Dawson , and I'm pretty sure, now I come to think of it, that I looked up to him mainly because he was the first person I'd ever met who had written a book.

Dinos Chapman, Artist

I hated every single one of my teachers and if any one of them are still alive, I hope they read this. They were horrible old fascists, convinced you could beat education into kids, and they threatened to cut my hair because I had lovely locks back then. It obviously traumatised me because now I'm completely bald.

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• Sharon Horgan

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What Motivates You to Teach—and Inspires You When You Need a Boost

Explore more.

• Managing Yourself
• Perspectives

E ducators have spent the last two years trudging through the muck and overcoming the various challenges thrown their way. Now many are soon to take a well-deserved break—which will end much too quickly, as they always do. So let’s relish this moment and reflect: What keeps you in this job, anyway?

To start that conversation, we recently asked you to share what motivates you to come back to the classroom each term—no matter the challenges—and what strategies you use to give yourself a burst of inspiration when needed. Here’s what you had to say.

Q. What motivates and inspires you to keep teaching, no matter the challenges?

Exequiel Hernandez, Max and Bernice Garchik Family Presidential Associate Professor, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania: More than anything else, it’s the students. I think of the love and responsibility I have toward them. They’re putting an enormous amount of trust in me, hoping that they’ll learn something useful for their professional and personal development. They’re also paying a lot of money for each minute of class. If I can make it about them and not me, it’s really motivating.

Lilian Ajayi-Ore, adjunct professor, New York University School of Professional Studies: I am inspired by my passion for teaching and my intrinsic commitment to supporting students in the classroom and in navigating their careers post-program.

“More than anything else, it’s the students.” Exequiel Hernandez

Pedro Monagas Asensio, STEM education professor and research professor, Polytechnic University of Catalonia: Being a reference and a guide to my students—while avoiding being a theoretician without practical resources—is what motivates me. I always try to ensure my syllabus has content and practical meaning to stimulate my students. I also try to set an example for my students, both as a person and as a professional, and connect with them as much as possible. After graduation, many of my students working in the industry consult me and inform me of their professional advances.

I am also motivated by having the ability to make educational visits to industrial companies and to invite professionals to my classroom to give my students a master class.

Susan Lee, lecturer at the Centre for English Language Communication, National University of Singapore: Meeting new students, testing iterations of teaching approaches, and refreshing and customizing content that reflects dynamic changes in reality are all immensely rewarding experiences of teaching term after term. It always excites me to motivate students to learn and apply skills in their world immediately.

It’s a priority for me that students recognize the relevance and usefulness of classroom learning in authentic settings. This includes integrating examples that are current and of interest to my students. Often, these are drawn from research and reflections of related trends and news. Last year, as the demand for office space fell during the pandemic, I created a proposal-writing task that required real estate students to suggest ways to re-configure office spaces for lease. Discussing real-world challenges and relevance motivates students to communicate their ideas more persuasively.

Nellie El Enany, assistant professor, School of Business, The American University in Cairo: I get excited about learning new things—whether it be through podcasts, documentaries, or the news—and always want to share what I learn with my students. I want to not only teach my students and pass on invaluable information, but also inspire them, particularly when it relates to how they can be activists—social or corporate—and changemakers in society.

Before the start of term, I always think about classes that were fantastic. I wonder if they will be the same and hope that they will be even better, and perhaps that desire to make each term more exciting and innovative than previous ones is what drives me to start all over again with a new dose of passion.

Q. What strategies do you use to give yourself an extra boost of inspiration when you need it?

Hernandez: I find a quiet place a few minutes before class where I can ponder and pray to focus my thoughts and emotions. I express gratitude for the opportunity to be with my students for a few minutes that day. I visualize the students, imagine what they might need, and anticipate what the most positive interaction with them might look like.

I also plan exactly what will happen during the first moment of that day’s class—if I can get that right, the rest flows more easily. If it’s a particularly hard day to get motivated, I remember past successes: students from prior semesters who expressed gratitude, conversations in which we learned deeply from one another, and stuff like that. It’s all about getting into a student-focused mindset instead of a professor-focused mindset.

“I became more active in participating in academic events and programming—working with my departments on critical initiatives and offering myself as a resource.” Lilian Ajayi-Ore

Ajayi-Ore: Teaching through the pandemic wasn’t easy emotionally for me, and I know it was the same for my fellow educators. For an extra boost of inspiration, I became more active in participating in academic events and programming—working with my departments on critical initiatives and offering myself as a resource.

The other thing I did was increase my coping mechanism knowledge by being proactive in reading interviews and articles about how other faculty cope with various academic situations.

Asensio: Some of the projects my students work on in class become real products for the market. The satisfaction of knowing that my students go out to the labor market giving work and not asking for it, and that they leave my teachings generating and licensing industrial properties such as patents and trademarks, makes me proud.

Lee: I take breaks and get inspired by trekking (long hikes), reading resources on professional sharing platforms like The Marginalian , news sources, and thoughtful sharing from individuals like Susan Cain , Simon Sinek , and Adam Grant .

I am often refreshed and recharged with a mini routine change or engagement in novel challenges. Learning something new is my energy booster. A quick way to do this is to try a new recipe or navigate a different hike. During vacation, I do workshops like pottery. These activities give me the headspace to distance myself from the day-to-day thinking patterns, which are geared toward completing work-related tasks. My own struggle to learn also develops empathy for challenged learners.

“I am often refreshed and recharged with a mini routine change or engagement in novel challenges. Learning something new is my energy booster.” Susan Lee

Enany: I’ve been lucky at my university to be able to teach so many different courses and integrate new and up-to-date research and topics into existing ones. Many of my students, past and present, know that I am passionate about community work with stray dogs in Cairo, the natural environment, teaching children in my community, and visiting orphanages. This always keeps me energetic and humble, and I love getting my students involved in any community work I do.

I am really proud of so many of my students for being social activists and coming along to events and activities around a whole range of community initiatives. Seeing them do this always keeps me inspired.

Staying grateful and happy, as cliche as it sounds, is something I always try to focus on. I’m grateful for being able to be back physically in the classroom post–COVID-19, for being able to learn from my students, and for being connected to so many fantastic educators around the world.

You’re Not in This Alone

Although we weren’t surprised to hear that your passion for ideas and your deep respect for your students are the main reasons many of you stay motivated to teach each term, we were touched by the depth of your responses. If anything, they remind us that we are all in this together, even if we have different ways of managing stress and rejuvenating our energy.

For those of you striving to reignite that spark, try reaching out to colleagues or friends who can share their own stories and motivation tactics. You may just find another tool to help keep you going.

Join the conversation by letting us know how you stay motivated to teach.

Exequiel (Zeke) Hernandez is the Max and Bernice Garchik Family Presidential Associate Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He studies how global networks created by human migration and corporate partnerships affect the innovation, internationalization, and performance of organizations. He has won three Emerging Scholar awards and was selected by Poets & Quants as one of the Best 40 Under 40 business professors in the world. He also provides training to executives from leading companies globally.

Lilian Ajayi-Ore is a faculty member at Columbia University and New York University School of Professional Studies. She teaches digital marketing, interactive marketing, and data analytics. She is also a digital marketing strategist and big data analytics executive with over 16 years of industry expertise helping brands and organizations identify key market trends and implement marketing strategies.

Pedro Monagas Asensio is a STEM education professor and research professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain, CRESCA Food Safety and Control Research Center.

Susan Lee is a lecturer at the Centre for English Language Communication, National University of Singapore. She designs and facilitates workshops on English as a medium of instruction, professional communication, job interviews, networking, and internship preparation. Besides communication-related subjects, Lee is currently teaching a Critique and Expression module she developed on film adaptation.

Nellie El Enany   is an assistant professor in the School of Business at The American University in Cairo. El Enany teaches human resource management, entrepreneurship and innovation, international business, and entrepreneurial leadership for solving critical global issues. El Enany’s research interests center on issues of identity, including identity construction, stigma, legitimacy, and identity work.

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The learning network | when has a teacher inspired you.

When Has a Teacher Inspired You?

Wright’s law: a teacher’s unique lesson.

In 2012, The Times profiled Jeffrey Wright, who uses wacky experiments to teach children about the universe, but it is his own personal story that teaches them the true meaning of life.

Questions about issues in the news for students 13 and older.

• See all Student Opinion »

Most of us have had a teacher who has made a difference in our lives — helping us see the world differently, making us feel proud, motivating us to try harder. Some of us have even been lucky enough to have more than one.

Has a teacher ever inspired you? When?

Tara Parker-Pope’s article “Laws of Physics Can’t Trump the Bonds of Love” shares the story of a high school physics teacher who inspires his students year after year.

Jeffrey Wright is well known around his high school in Louisville, Ky., for his antics as a physics teacher, which include exploding pumpkins, hovercraft and a scary experiment that involves a bed of nails, a cinder block and a sledgehammer. But it is a simple lecture — one without props or fireballs — that leaves the greatest impression on his students each year. The talk is about Mr. Wright’s son and the meaning of life, love and family. It has become an annual event at Louisville Male Traditional High School (now coed, despite its name), and it has been captured in a short documentary, “Wright’s Law,” which recently won a gold medal in multimedia in the national College Photographer of the Year competition, run by the University of Missouri.

Students: Tell us …

• When has a teacher inspired you?
• Was it something specific that they said or did? Or, was it just something about the way they teach or interact with students that affected you? Explain or tell a story.
• Do you think you or your classmates ever inspire your teachers? In what ways?

Students 13 and older are invited to comment below. Please use only your first name. For privacy policy reasons, we will not publish student comments that include a last name.

Comments are no longer being accepted.

my guidance counselor has helped me when i need to talk i go to see him and when i have an issue at home he helps me get over it

A teacher has inspired me to work harder and try harder in school, and to not listen to what anyone has to say about my grades and to just worry about getting them up. he told me to have a game plan for when my grades are down that way i know what i am going to do when they are low i have a plan to bring them right back up.

My teachers inspire me everyday. It is hard to pick certain moments because there are so many. I learn useful life lessons from my teachers on a daily basis.

I get inspierd by my teacher when she jumps on the table and makes the learning fun for the class.

i was inspired by a teacher to get better grades because it wll help me with life.An she also help me get my work done when i needed . Also she helped me get bettergrades then i ever had she helped me alot

To put it simply, no, I have never been inspired by any of my teachers. I’ve been inspired by friends and family, but no teachers. I have no idea if my fellow class mates inspire any of our teachers, if we do, that is something we should be proud of.

A teacher has inspired me was my 8th grade teacher. she inspired me was not to be force full to not let thing get to me also tobe strong and proud.I think my classmates always inspired our teacher with their knowledge and theirways of learning different things.

Jessica Rolon Period 5B 1/4/13

I was inspired by a teacher my freshman year, well not a teacher but a principal. My grades were not adequate at all and I was given a talk that changed my work ethic and effort forever. It was the way he said it and the seriousness of the situation that made me want to work harder and succeed. I think the climate here does inspire teachers in different ways like in different teaching methods and maybe even the way we interact.

When has a teacher inspired you? Was it something specific that they said or did? Or, was it just something about the way they teach or interact with students that affected you? Explain or tell a story. Do you think you or your classmates ever inspire your teachers? In what ways?

One of my teachers from middle school, Mrs. Quashnie, has inspired ever since I came into her class in 2010. It was not a particular event, but the way she communicated with us and handled every situation we had as a class. Many times we would not pay attention to what she was trying to teach us, or speak to her in rude manners, but in the end, she finds ways into getting us to listn to what she wants us to do.

Yes, I have had a teacher that has inspired me before. It was my middle school social studies teacher. When ever someone was down or a problem was going on, he would stop class just to give a little speech. He really inspired me because he was teaching us how to stand up for ourselves, and just about life. I could tell he cared a lot about the students, his job, and what we all become.

My first year of high school I met a teacher who turned out to be one of the greatest. Mrs. H is her name and she and she would go to the moon and back for you. Her dedication to her job and students really make her stand out. She and I have a special connection since we both are from the same state yet different than the one we are in now. I think that my classmates do inspire teachers in different ways.

I have been inspired by teachers, coaches and parents. Also I think that teacers get inspired by students because They learn more thing and students will learn more.

In seventh grade my old science teacher Ms.Vhisdak told me that I was one of the best students she had. So told me that I would make a great scientist in any subject because I was able to follow directions when she gave us an activity, and I was able to understand and remember anything I read right away. Not only that but she said that because I was able to help other students when they didn’t understand something I would come in handy when a new scientist comes around but no one has time to train or teach them, because I had the ability to understand things right away. Ms. Vhisdak inspired me to become a scientist and because I like animals I am hopeing when I get old enough I will become a marine biologist. Thank you Ms. Vhisdak for inspireing me.

Once, a teacher helped me write stories for his class. His ideas were inspiring to me.

I had two teachers at the North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, IL who really inspired me. One was Mr. Kevin Randolph, who made his history classes absolutely fascinating. Somehow, no matter what we started off talking about, we always got back on track to the matter at hand. He made the characters come alive- I’m never going to forget the duel between Hamilton and Burr. He also infused his lessons with the culture we were learning about, which led to eating Moon Pies in class, having Fun Food Fridays and learning about more than just history.

Mrs. Kathy McHugh was my English teacher and she pushed me to work harder than I ever had to before, despite my initial frustration at being pushed. We had to write essays on Seamus Heaney; I gave one in and she told me that I could do better. I was frustrated because all my life I had been told that I was such a good writer etc, and therefore I hadn’t been pushed. I ended up revising and reworking that paper and it is still one of the papers that I am proudest of. Mrs. McHugh also made sure to design an interesting class filled with discussions that exposed me to a lot of authors/ books I hadn’t read before (which wasn’t so easy, because I read a lot).

Both of them are wonderful people, and I was lucky to have them.

A teacher has inspiring in 8th grade went she told me that I can be the best thing ,I can be, all i have to do is work hard. It’s mostly the way the teacher interact with students that affected me I don’t know how to describe it, but it’s the way the teacher give’s advice to her students. No I don’t think any of my classmates have inspired a teacher,because i think a teacher as had more experience with living or has had more live , then a student has had.

Two teachers have majorly inspired me. My Orchestra teacher, always inspiring with his stories and how he pushes everyone in the orchestra (98 people) to keep getting better. And better is an understatement for out school orchestra. Secondly, my peer leadership teacher has inspired me, even though it may seem like commonsense to treat others with respect and so on, i’ve never really noticed how many people are targeted and torn down everyday until he really opened my eyes.

For ever my favorite teachers.

I think the last time a teacher inspired me i was in the 7th grade. My english teacher Ms.Isidore inspired me to keep writing because I was a great writer. I’m not sure if i inspired a teacher. I mean I was always in trouble. How will inspire a teacher if i’m a kid thats always in trouble.

My 10th grade math teacher has inspired me. Before 10th grade math was been a struggle for me, she has made study books, and always asks if I need help. The way that she teachers her class seems to click with me and I understand the topics more than I ever had. She is always there for her students not just with math but in life, you can tell she does what she loves. My teacher always congratulates you when you get a good grade on a test or quiz and always makes you feel good about yourself. If you do poorly on a test she will often give you another change to help improve your grade. When she comes into class she is never in a bad mood like other teachers sometimes are, she always asks how your day is and tells you to keep up the good work.

1: The time when a teacher inspired me was when i was in the 5th grade. Two kids had a fight and my teacher broke it up and also calmed the kids down. After my teacher did that the kids became friends again. But she inspired me because she show me and the rest of my classmates that she was a good teacher. 2: There was something specific that he did. He showed us how to make peace. 3: I do think me and my classmates inspire our teachers. Like when we have problems and we settle them by ourselves. Or like if we do things that they have never seen before ,they might want to try it. There for we inspire our teachers.

when i was in the 8th grade, This one teacher would always pick on me, just by being facetious, her name was Mrs. Polisano. & one day after class, she pulled me to the side & said ‘i don’t pick on you for no reason i joke around, but you Ms. Best, you have a lot of potential, because you are a leader. “& then she goes, ” remember this Eternity if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything” & from there on, anytime i’m in a particular situation, i always think about that. & i will never forget her. i think us students do inspire teachers in some ways,

i can’t remember when a teacher inspired me.

In the eight grade I had a teacher who inspired me to be my self. If it wqasent for her i wouldent be in highschool. Her name was Ms.Cedillo i used to be a bad kid cutting class but then one day i had a meeting with her and she told me im a great student and youre friends are bringing you down . If you want to pass you have to leave them and so i did and i passed

Although I have had several teachers inspire me over the years, my high school yearbook adviser, Mrs, Willson, stands out from the rest. During the three years that I was a student in her classroom, she inspired me to not only excel in my editor positions on staff, but to look beyond my insecurities and to embrace my positive qualities. She always knew what to say to me when I was down (her famous phrase is “love ya, mean it”), and her homemade pumpkin muffins are hands-down the best ones you have ever tasted. Our relationship, along with my tenure as the yearbook editor-in-chief, defined my high school years. I will forever consider her to be my second mom, my sister, my best friend, my mentor, and my role model.

What's Next

What Inspired You to Become a Teacher?

This likely won’t come as a surprise to you, but Wellspring’s Quality Education, Early Childhood Education, and Community Involvement trainers were all once teachers themselves! Our incredible team of trainers once led their own class of students, poured into the hearts and minds of the next generation, and learned the imperative role of education for the benefit of their students and their country.

We recently connected with our team of trainers to hear more about their heart for teaching. We’d love to introduce you to three incredible trainers—Samuel, Philomene, and Emmanuel—and learn what inspired them to become teachers.

Samuel Ngendahimana, Community Involvement Trainer

“When I attended primary school, I appreciated the way teachers have been with me. They enlightened me and my classmates and pushed me to do the same for the future generation. I felt very interested in pursuing the career of teaching. As a teacher, I am so happy when I help others discover the world. I loved helping transform others.”

Philomene Nyirabazungu, Early Childhood Education Trainer

“First of all, the impact of teachers on the lives of students inspired me. The best reason to be a teacher was that I wanted to have a positive, inspiring impact on children’s lives. I achieved this by being kind, caring, empathic, passionate, and funny. These are great qualities that I learned in relation to my inspiration. I have developed my love for teaching from the love I received from my former teachers, who showed me compassion, care, and empathy. I grew up considering teaching as the only profession which can change the world, the profession which can change lives and societies. I became a teacher to make amazing impacts in people’s lives. Additionally, I could see teachers’ smiles, and I felt this happiness too, from teaching, playing with children, and everything connected to the teaching profession . What an amazing act—playing, laughing, having fun while learning, and helping others learn? Even since then, nothing amazes me more than developing potential in others .”

Emmanuel Turatsinze, Quality Education Trainer

“Several positive and negative factors have influenced me to become a teacher. On the one hand, I liked the way my teachers in P1 and P5 treated children far differently from others. Both of them were very intelligent, provided us with knowledge, and advised us on being good people by respecting and valuing others. They used to tell us stories that built my personality of humility and support. They would talk and discuss any mistakes or negative behaviour with students. They were good teachers. On the other hand, I have been challenged by how some other teachers treated children; shouting, slapping them for minor reasons that could be corrected without using harsh methods. I grew up with a mind of turning things around, not for vengeance, but another way of treating children in a peaceful way like my teachers of P1 and P5.”

Whether a desire to inspire change on negative teaching practices or to continue in their positive legacy, our trainers were inspired by their teachers! Now, as Wellspring trainers, they pour into the lives of other educators to help them correct outdated methods and provide the best possible education for their students. They walk alongside school leaders, teachers, and parents through training and ongoing support to empower and equip them to play their unique role in supporting the education of their children and community. And all this is done through your generous support!

When you support Wellspring, you support our team of trainers who are the hands of feet of our work. You’re inspiring transformation and professional development for school leaders to serve their staff and students better. You are emboldening Rwanda’s teachers—those who build into the next generation of leaders—to step into their role with the knowledge that they are making a difference for their children and the future of their nation. You’re equipping parents with the tools and skills to support their children in their learning.

Will you support our team of trainers like Samuel, Philomene, and Emmanuel as they partner with school communities to transform their nation’s education system from the inside out? 

• Our Mission

What I Learned From Teachers Who Inspired Me

Inspired by his colleagues, one teacher learned to differentiate instruction, foster a flexible learning environment, avoid harshly penalizing failure, and encourage problem solving and innovation.

There is no denying that public and non-public schools are different. Yet my interactions with public school teachers have helped shape me into the private school teacher I am today. I encourage you to reach out not just to teachers beyond your own school, but also beyond your type of school. Following are my experiences, which have shown me that best practices have a place in every classroom.

1. Differentiate Instruction

As a new teacher, I expected that each student learns the same way, mostly by reviewing the same assigned readings and class notes -- and I did a poor job of differentiating instruction to cater to an individual's unique learning style. Two summers ago, all of that changed when I spoke with Rick Wormeli, one of America’s first National Board Certified teachers. He told me, "I might teach the way that's uncomfortable for me, but that's fine. My success comes from my students' success." To foster greater success, I now strive to teach my students as individuals, not as a collective, and at times that calls for teaching and treating different students differently. As Wormeli also told me, "Fair isn't always equal," and I want to do what is developmentally appropriate not just for the ages and classes I teach, but also for each unique charge. I don't always succeed, but I strive to embrace differentiated instruction. I also plan to use time this summer to work on improving, and I will keep Wormeli's wisdom closely in mind.

2. Foster a Flexible Learning Environment

Along those lines, I also owe equal gratitude to Mark Barnes, a celebrated teacher and education author, for helping me rethink my classroom management skills -- or lack thereof. Up until a few years ago, I made ill use of classroom time by obsessively checking that students paid attention and made appropriate use of the laptop. I also expected that each student progress at the same pace, with the same resources. This bred lack of interest, mistrust, and animosity, but things improved after I spoke with Barnes. "I've got kids in bean bag chairs, and they're reading books," he told me. "I've got kids at tables, and they're talking to each other, and kids on their cell phones doing something, using a tool, and then kids on computers. It looks like it's crazy, but really it's just kids engaged." My classroom still doesn’t look like Barnes', but thanks in large part to him, I allow students agency over how they use classroom time, and what sources they use to master concepts and complete work. Still, I also plan to work on further improving my management.

3. Don't Harshly Penalize Failure

Until speaking with Barnes and Wormeli, I rarely allowed students to retake assessments or submit late work for credit. After a certain point, this rigid policy proved effective in just one way -- helping struggling students sense the futility in trying to recover. Teachers keep students "incompetent" by failing them for not submitting work on time or not completing work successfully, Wormeli told me. He asked, "Is that really the legacy I want to carry forward? Incompetence, but being able to tell all my colleagues in the larger society, 'Oh, I caught him. He couldn't get past me with missing a deadline, let me tell you.' Or is it, 'Hey, you screwed up, child. Let me walk side by side with you and develop the competence and the wisdom that comes from doing something a second and third time around, where you'll get your act together.' Both of those are greater gifts, in the long run, than simply labeling a child for a failed deadline." Following that advice, if a student approaches me within two weeks of receiving a disappointing grade, in most cases he can retake a similar assessment for full or partial credit. After all, the end goal is mastery, and I'm not nearly as concerned about when an individual masters a concept -- just that it is in fact mastered.

4. Encourage Problem Solving and Innovation

I've also drawn inspiration from Simon Hauger, a math teacher who in the 1990s grew interested in doing more to connect students with their passions and creative energies. A few years ago, he co-founded The WorkShop School, a part of the Philadelphia School District, which fully embraces project-based learning to help students learn about and solve real-world problems.

LIFTOFF TO LEARNING from Shorts: Simon Hauger and The Sustainability Workshop from PopTech on Vimeo .

"We need to be cranking out innovators, problem solvers, and creative thinkers, people that aren't afraid to take risks, people that don't want to just regurgitate answers, and people that are finding their passions in life," Hauger told me. "When you're working in an area that you're passionate about, you do your best work." I have Hauger to thank for reminding me to encourage my students to take risks and to question not only what they learn, but also how their curiosity and passions can help make the world a better place. Nevertheless, I need to do a better job of providing problem-based teaching, and I'm currently reworking several lesson plans to reflect those efforts.

What have you learned from sharing your experience with different types of teachers at different types of schools? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

What Inspired You to Become a Teacher?

I’ve been a teacher for 7 years now, I qualified when I was 37, so I was quite late to the game. In many ways, having a bit of life experience before you teach is a good thing but there are amazing teachers who go straight into teaching from university. I was wondering the other day, what inspired you to be a teacher (“you” being the rest of the teaching world!).

The reasons for becoming a teacher are numerous, but in my opinion, there are some reasons that are more valid than others. I stress, this is only my opinion but I feel I am in a good place to comment.

The best reason to be a teacher is that you want to have a positive, inspiring impact on children’s lives. You achieve this by being kind, caring, empathic, passionate and funny. These are great qualities that a teacher should possess.

Who Inspired Me to Be a Teacher?

There have been two people who have inspired me to become a teacher, although I didn’t realize it at the time. The first was my English teacher at high school, she was a relatively new teacher but was excellent.

I always struggled with writing and was always told, “you must improve your handwriting”. Miss Greig wasn’t bothered about it but was more interested in what I wrote, not how my writing looked. She inspired me to be the best I can. I enjoyed her lessons and looked forward to them. She was engaging and kind.

Next up, is one of my university lecturers. I was studying marine biology (I was a mature student, starting my degree when I was 31). I don’t think I ever spoke one to one with this lecturer but his 3-hour lectures passed in a flash, It was like watching an amazing movie, he was passionate and active, he had a sense of humor that permeated through the very technical topics he taught (e.g. Marine Ecophysiology). I was left always wanting more.

What Are the Qualities of a Good Teacher?

Between the above two educators, I realized that being kind, caring, empathic, passionate and funny were great qualities that a teacher should possess.

Children face an immeasurable amount of different life circumstances, for some, (more than we usually know or like to think) home life is not always a happy place. School for them can be a place where the troubles of home don’t matter, a place where they feel safe.

Having someone who is kind, is caring and who has chosen to be there for them means more than any fancy new device, clothes or money.

The is no more inspiring quality than passion, those we follow or admire, they all have a bucket load of it. Where that passion comes from doesn’t matter, the fact they have it is what is important. Think of someone you admire, what passion do they show, think a little deeper and you will find it’s their passion that is the reason you admire them.

As for the reason why humor is a good quality for a teacher? Has there ever been a time you didn’t want to laugh? No. All of these qualities serve one purpose, engagement.

If your students want to be in your room, the battle is won before it starts. Fail in this and you may as well not bother.

What Are the Qualities of a Bad Teacher?

In contrast, there are qualities that are bad for a teacher to have. I’m not going to state the obvious and talk about lack of subject knowledge or lack of classroom management, these are things that can be learnt. I’m thinking about the basic personality traits that a good teacher shouldn’t have.

Putting career before the student’s welfare and education is unforgivable in my opinion. Yes, it’s a positive quality to have but NOT at the expense of great teaching. Yes, it shows ambition but I’ve seen too many teachers think more about their career than the education of their students.

They change things for the sake of it, only to get their name mentioned and noticed by leadership. Children need stability and things should only be changed when there is a benefit to the those we serve, the children.

Not being able to think through their eyes. Expecting learners to adjust the way they think to our way is never going to be successful. The children in your classrooms do not live in the same world we do, theirs is a digital world.

If you find yourself thinking or saying anything along the lines of “I got through school without using a device” or “we actually spoke to people and went outside” then guess what? You’re probably not in the right frame of mind to be a good teacher. Yet.

How Do I Become an Inspirational Teacher?

First and foremost, you need to take a good look at yourself. Teaching is hard, it is very stressful but it also rewards great satisfaction. The pay isn’t great, the hours you work will be long and the things you are asked to do over and above your normal duties every growing.

There is no career more rewarding or more important. To be an inspiring teacher you must really want to do it. Inspiring teachers don’t go into it with the thought of it being a career move, more, that they want to help sculpt the minds of the future, to be there for those who need it.

The journey to being an inspiring teacher starts with your basic reason for wanting it in the first place. Teach with the passion that fuels you, show them your fire. Care for them the way you’d want your own children (or yourself, when you were a child) cared for.

As stated above, you must have the ability to see the world through their eyes, both from an educational and a nurturing perspective.

Great Personalities Who Were Influenced by Their Teachers.

Bill Gates attended Seattle’s View Ridge Elementary School. It was all thanks to Blanche Caffiere. She was the librarian and was his inspiration. Because of her empathy and guidance, he was able to flourish into a man who would change the world forever.

Bill gates maybe one of the richest people in the world and we may mostly know him because of Microsoft and Windows but the Gates Foundation, run by Mr Gates and his wife Melinda, donate BILLIONS of Dollars to help people around the world who live in extreme hunger and poverty. He Gates tells his story on his blog :

“When I first met Mrs Caffiere, she was the elegant and engaging school librarian at Seattle’s View Ridge Elementary, and I was a timid fourth grader. I was desperately trying to go unnoticed, because I had some big deficits, like atrocious handwriting … and I was trying to hide the fact that I liked to read—something that was cool for girls but not for boys … Mrs Caffiere took me under her wing and helped make it okay for me to be a messy, nerdy boy who was reading lots of books.”

He credits Mrs. Caffiere for many things but he attributes her guidance as one of the initial sparks that ultimately lead to the Gates Foundation .

He also said this of Mrs Caffiere, which I think is pertinent to this article:

“It’s remarkable how much power one good person can have in shaping the life of a child.“

As we know, Maya Angelou was a civil rights activist, an author and a poet. Her early life was full of horrid physical and emotional abuse, abuse administered by a family member, someone who should have protected her. The abuse was so bad that she became mute for five years.

That was until she met a teacher named Bertha Flowers. Mrs Flowers was a family friend, she introduced Angelou to Dickens, Shakespeare, Poe and other hugely influential writers as well as artists and performers. It was through Mrs Flowers’ influence and guidance that Angelou found her voice again, A voice so powerful and influential, it is still heard in classrooms across the globe years after her death in 2014 and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Maya Angelou also is quoted as saying this, again, it’s very relevant to this article:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

What Inspired You to Be a Teacher?

What comes up time and time again is that behind every great person there have been one or more great teachers inspiring them. Scientists, writers, leaders, the list goes on, all guided by the hand of a teacher. Maybe not always in the traditional sense but always a teacher.

I decided to be a teacher because I wanted to do something worthwhile in my life, I love working with kids, no day is the same, they never cease to make me laugh and they are a lot more bloody interesting than the corporate robots that I’ve encountered in previous careers. There are some exceptions (in case they are reading this!) and they would be the ones who influenced me.

But, what inspired you? Leave a comment below and let me know, I’d love to hear your story. New teachers and those thinking of education would really benefit from hearing it. I’m sure they would greatly appreciate it.

Similar Posts:

• How to Become a Teacher: The Complete Guide
• Preschool – Everything You Need to Know
• Teacher Appreciation Week – All You Need to Know

1 thought on “What Inspired You to Become a Teacher?”

I am close to retirement and have done a great deal of reflecting with regards to my profession. I always knew I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others and actually fell into teaching. This is my 27th year and I have taught Grade 5-8, with 6 being my favourite. It has been a HUGELY rewarding job, far beyond what I ever thought. As for teaching the curriculum, I think I am an average teacher. I believe my strengths have been instilling confidence, self-esteem and kindness in my students. They enjoy my classes and know I care deeply for them. By providing them with these very necessary life skills, I believe I am preparing them for life. They might not remember 8 x 6, but the might end up happy.

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Inspiring Teacher by Dania

Daniaof Teaneck's entry into Varsity Tutor's July 2014 scholarship contest

Inspiring Teacher by Dania - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

Dania Jean-Louis Scholarship Essay

I have had many teachers in my lifetime and each one of them has affected my attitude toward education in a unique way. I have developed a different relationship with each one of them; and of course, I reminisce about some of my teachers more than other s. A teacher never knows which student he or she is going to inspire to achieve his or her goals. Sometimes, a teacher might feel that he or she has not done much for a student, but that student might feel that that particular teacher has highly contributed to his or her education and has undoubtedly affected his or her attitude about education in a positive way. The purpose of this essay is to describe a teacher who has positively affected my attitude toward education.

Furthermore, one of the greatest and unforgettable memories that stand above all of my experiences as a student was the time I spent with one of my high school teachers, Mrs. Sutton. Mrs. Sutton was the most patient teacher I had ever had. She treated her students the way she would have wanted to be treated if she were a student; that was, with respect and dignity. It is with all honesty when I say that Mrs. Sutton was always in a good mood. I never once saw her lose patience with her students. Mrs. Sutton motivated me to wake up five days a week with a “ready for school” mentality.

Moreover, it is effortless to mention Mrs. Sutton’s passion and devotion for teaching. She always wanted her students to go to her for help. I became so comfortable with her that I would go to her after school for help with difficult homework assignments from other teachers. She always had a smile on her face and helped me with an open heart. I could see Mrs. Sutton’s passion for teaching from the very first day I met her.

To sum it up, Mrs. Sutton has shaped my attitude and changed my conception about education. One of the things I have learned from Mrs. Sutton that has strengthened and is keeping me going in life is “Every problem has a solution. You may not find the solution today, but it is there.” Mrs. Sutton’s contribution to my self-concept about education is one of the reasons why I have managed to come this far in life.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Dream Job — What Inspired You to Become a Teacher

What Inspired You to Become a Teacher

• Categories: Dream Job Teacher

About this sample

Words: 726 |

Updated: 12 December, 2023

Words: 726 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

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Works Cited

• Darling-Hammond, L. (2017). Empowered Educators: How High-Performing Systems Shape Teaching Quality Around the World. Jossey-Bass.
• DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., & Many, T. (2016). Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work. Solution Tree.
• Erickson, L. (2019). Teaching the Tough Stuff: A Guide to Helping Students Through Experiences That Hurt. ASCD.
• Hattie, J. (2012). Visible Learning for Teachers: Maximizing Impact on Learning. Routledge.
• Marzano, R. J., Pickering, D. J., & Heflebower, T. (2013). The Highly Engaged Classroom. Marzano Research.
• Pianta, R. C., Hamre, B. K., & Allen, J. P. (2012). Teacher-Student Relationships and Engagement: Conceptualizing, Measuring, and Improving the Capacity of Classroom Interactions. Routledge.
• Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness. Guilford Press.
• Stronge, J. H. (2018). Qualities of Effective Teachers. ASCD.
• Tomlinson, C. A. (2017). How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms. ASCD.
• Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (2018). The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher. Harry K. Wong Publications.

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Stories About the Extraordinary Educators in Your Life

‘He Helped Foster a Love for Science in Me’

From storm alexander.

Mark Townley was my AP Environmental Science teacher. Not only did he teach the content, he provided resources and materials to make class fun. Labs done in class were always engaging and related to the course topics. He now works with Kenan Fellows at NC State, a program for teacher leadership. Mr. Townley was not only a very open and accepting teacher towards me, but he helped foster a love for science in me. Previously, I had been interested in arts, but had no passion. When I attended his class, Mr. Townley helped me really gain a love and interest in science, even if it wasn’t exactly his field. In the end, he helped lead me to the career path I have chosen today.

‘She Helped Me to Discover Myself as a Student’

From elizabeth baker.

One teacher that has had a lasting impact on my life was my 6th-8th grade Language Arts teacher. She introduced me to many of my favorite books, like “The Outsiders,” and helped me to discover myself as a student. She also made me work for every assignment that I complete for her; along with this, she helped me to grow as a writer. Because of her, I discovered several joys of learning and how to start a spark of learning within my own students.

‘She Fostered a Respect and Reflected it Back to Her Students’

From maggie latta-milord.

My seventh grade language arts teacher was a force. She fostered a respect and reflected it back to her students. She taught diverse authors and poets to a diverse class of students. She held students to a high standard while giving us the resources and instruction needed to reach that standard. She made us recite poetry throughout the year, and I will never forget the unique challenge of having to remember each word. There is a lot from my middle school years I have forgotten, but I still remember some of those poems today. I remember that special kind of seventh-grader awkwardness we each showed as we stood in front of the class when it was our turn to stumble through a performance of that particular week’s selection. I remember the reactions of peers when you missed a line or the celebration when you really nailed it. Yet, for Ms J-W, it was never enough for us to repeat exactly the words of the poem. We were meant to convey the emotion, meant to hold the words with reverence.

‘She Changed the Way That I Carried Myself Through Life’

From taylor ratledge.

My high school chorus teacher, Heather Copley, changed the way that I carried myself through life. Even though my career has nothing to do with performance, taking her class taught me about self-discipline, taking risks, and making friends.

On my future best friend’s first day at a new school, Ms. Copley grabbed me and told me that I was sitting with the new girl during lunch because she didn’t want her eating alone. From that day on, we had lunch together every day. I was the maid of honor at her wedding, which Ms. Copley attended.

Ms. Copley has always had an amazing way of making you feel important because she gives her students an incredible amount of responsibility and trusts them to do what is right. For example, she takes huge groups of students on international field trips regularly, which, as a high school teacher, I can’t ever imagine doing.

Finally, Ms. Copley has always been honest about who she is and what she stands for. I have maintained a relationship with her since graduating high school in 2007, and she’s never changed. I tutored her son, she attended my wedding, and we like to get lunch during the holidays. I appreciate so much how she pours into her relationships with her students and continues those relationships as long as she can.

‘Her Course Impacted Me by Showing Me How Important it is to Maintain and Value Your Personal Ethics’

From the’shaun jones.

Carrol Warren is one of the extraordinary educators from NC State’s Education Department that I would like to to acknowledge. What makes her extraordinary is her knowledge and expertise of Ethics in the Workplace and Education. This was the first course I took from the Training and Development Master’s of Education Program, and it was the perfect class to begin my Graduate tenure. This course impacted me by showing me how important it is to maintain and value your personal ethics and to carry those morals into your professional development. Thanks Dr. Warren.

‘She Instilled a Love for Spanish in Me’

From nicole hackett.

My favorite teacher in high school was Sra. Hammond. I had her for Spanish 4 and I loved her so much that I decided I wanted to become a Spanish teacher just like her – and I did! She instilled a love for Spanish in me that I wanted to share with all my students. My fondest memories in her class are Fridays where we would listen to Shakira in Spanish! I taught Spanish for 9 years because of Sra. Hammond.

‘He Instilled in Me and My Brother a Lifelong Appreciation of Music and Culture That Enriches Us to this Day’

From larry bliss.

I have an extraordinary educator in my family: my father, Milton C. Bliss. He taught music at NC State for 26 years, leading the Varsity Men’s Glee Club and the Grains of Time a capella group, as well as co-directing the marching band. He expected the utmost from his students, and many of them went on to careers in music as performers and teachers. He instilled in me and my brother (both State grads) a lifelong appreciation of music and culture that enriches us to this day. Although he is 92, he remembers many of his students from 50 years ago.

‘Her Passion for Science was Infectious and I Give all the Credit to Her for Why I Decided to Become a Science Teacher’

From kristen blau.

An extraordinary educator I know is Heidi Maloy, my high school biology, chemistry, & APES teacher. She is still the best teacher I’ve ever had the pleasure of learning from. She was patient, kind, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable, always able to answer any question I asked. I was lucky enough to be able to take three courses with her throughout high school. AP Environmental Science was my favorite, and taking that course with her is largely why I am so passionate about environmental advocacy and literacy. I am presently working on becoming a certified Environmental Educator. Her passion for science was infectious and I give all the credit to her for why I decided to become a science teacher. My ultimate goal as a teacher is to inspire young people to want to make a difference in the world and in other people’s lives. That is what Ms. Maloy did for me. Beyond teaching me science, she was also my advisor senior year. She was a great listener and was always there for me when I needed someone to talk to or needed advice. I will be forever grateful for getting to have her as a teacher. She is truly one of a kind.

‘They Were in Education Because They Cared About the Students’

From anna burgess.

When thinking about the past educators in my life who have really impacted me and my time in school, two people come to mind. First is my junior and senior English teacher. She was an extraordinary educator because she was willing to answer hard questions and have difficult conversations in the classroom. She didn’t shy away from questions about the real world and actually welcomed them at times. She also made it known that she would accept her students for who they are, she was not going to judge you, but instead wanted to help. She helped give me new perspectives on life. She taught me how to put myself in the other person’s shoes and to look for the deeper meaning in things. The second teacher that came to my mind was my chorus teacher. I was a part of his class all four years of high school. He was always encouraging us to do our best and had high expectations for us in both academics and just in being an overall human being. He was supportive and made it known that he was there if anyone needed to talk or just have a place to escape. He helped me build my confidence in not only my voice but also in who I am as a person. Both of these educators are extraordinary because they made it very obvious that they were in education because they cared about the students, not about checking a “how to be a good person” box off their checklist.

‘I Wouldn’t Be Where I Am Today Without Them’

From megan north.

I am a high school history teacher because of my 8th grade and 11th grade history teachers. They showed me how to love learning, help others, and hold students to high standards. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

‘She Impacted My Life Through Her Encouragement, Her Passion and Her Leadership’

From emma schneider.

Mrs. Sanders is extraordinary because she not only cares about the education of every one of her students, but she truly cares about every one of her students as an individual. She is relational, yet demands respect. She is intelligent, yet knows how to make class fun. She knows how to communicate tough ideas to a variety of different learners and help them understand at a deeper level. Mrs. Sanders helps others do the extraordinary by expressing genuine interest in their lives and pushing them toward their passions. She is the reason I applied for (and received) acceptance to the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program. The more I learn about incorporating digital tools in the classroom and navigating keeping students engaged in a lesson, the more I realize how ahead of the game Mrs. Sanders was in these areas. I never suffered boredom in her class, and she was always using some sort of digital tool in her lessons that continue to benefit me in my teacher education. She impacted my life through her encouragement, her passion, and her leadership, and I will always be grateful for her influence.

‘She Can Challenge AP Students and Support Struggling Students’

From kristi martin.

I taught with June Blackwell at Sanderson High School for a year and I was consistently amazed by her. She can challenge AP students and support struggling students. She works so hard to reach all her students and help them to be successful in her math classes, using a variety of strategies to allow all her students to showcase what they have learned. She also supports teachers at the state level and has mentored multiple student teachers from NC State. I am proud to call her a colleague and friend.

‘I Realized I Wanted to Have the Same Impact on People’s Lives that He Had on Mine’

From michael smith.

Mr. Hunsucker was my 8th grade math and science teacher. He was such a caring person who treated his students like we were his own children. His lessons, activities, and projects also took what we learned in the classroom outside the classroom. It was in Mr. Hunsucker’s class that I began to see how what I learned in school really effected my everyday life. When I was deciding what I wanted to do in life I realized I wanted to have the same impact on peoples’ lives that Mr. Hunsucker had on mine. If it was not for Mr. Hunsucker I would not have gotten into education. I owe so much to Mr Hunsucker he is hands down the best teacher in the world.

‘I Can Still Remember His Smile and Love for all of Biology’

From manny flecker.

Robert Tollman was my high school biology teacher in New York. He continually made the subject fascinating for me and drew me into it with his clearly apparent love of biology. He encouraged us to read, did not slay us with “homework”, kept his classes upbeat and showed an interest in his students and subject. He encouraged me though did not push – not his style. I can still remember his smile and love for all of biology.

‘She Made Learning a Challenging Subject Rewarding’

From dorothy holley.

An extraordinary educator in my life has been my high school chemistry teacher, Lavonda Ritchie. She made learning a challenging subject rewarding. She modeled being a life-long learner, bringing back new labs from summer “vacations,” participating in new competitions that seemed interesting, and engaging in new experiences while encouraging us to do the same. After I graduated from college and became a high school chemistry teacher in a nearby county, Ms. Ritchie continued to mentor me by loaning me equipment to use with my students and inviting me to NCSTA events. I will always be indebted to Ms. Ritchie for nurturing my love of science and for believing that the quiet girl in the back of the room could really cook with that bunsen burner! Thank you Ms. Ritchie!!

‘Her Passion for Education is the Reason Why I Have a Voice for Public Education’

From zainab bhatti.

I have had several educators in life who have made a positive impact in my life. Today, I will be talking about one specific educator who changed my life for the better. I knew I wanted to be a teacher since the second grade. However, I was constantly discouraged by my teachers and family because I could amount to so much more and of course, the number one excuse, the pay is terrible. In my sophomore year of high school, I met my forever mentor. Mrs. Suzanne Hudson was my civics and economics teacher at the time. We learned so much more than just that subject. She taught us something I will never forget. Do what you want to do as long as it makes you happy. After that, I had Mrs. Hudson every year until the day I graduated. Mrs. Hudson was also my AP government teacher and Teacher Cadet 1 & 2 teacher. I also interned for Mrs. Hudson my senior year. I learned to love what I will be doing and not caring what other people think. The creativity in her classrooms is what inspired me to start my love for art again. Without the guidance, unconditional love, and support from her, I would not be here in the college of education at NC State. I would be lost trying to figure out what it is I should be doing. I am so thankful for everything I have learned from her. Mrs. Hudson is extraordinary in everything she does. Her passion rubs off on her students and it shows. We are always inspired by her stories to do the extraordinary in everything we work on. Her love for education is the reason why I am here today. Her passion for education is the reason why I have a voice for public education. I am extraordinary.

‘He Consistently Showed That He Cared Even More About Me as an Individual Than He Did as a Student’

From spencer griffith.

Ben Thomas for AP Government my senior year of high school and the way he interacted with students has tremendously influenced my teaching. He had great content-area knowledge and knew how to make class engaging (I’ll never forget our class-wide debates every week), but more importantly, he consistently showed that he cared even more about me as an individual than he did as a student. As an aside, he allowed me to miss class to volunteer in his wife’s first grade class once per week, which showed me early on that I was NOT cut out to be an elementary school teacher.

‘She Distinguished Herself with a Very Compassionate Heart and Patience for Young Children’

From kari kuebel.

I had the privilege of having Olivia Loftin Ellington as a student in Elementary Ed 250 years before she became my daughter’s kindergarten teacher (and now my son’s!) Olivia was a gifted student, distinguishing herself with a very compassionate heart and patience for young children. She launched my daughter into a love of school by treating her as a unique person with her own set of gifts, thoughts and even worries. This demonstration of unconditional positive regard with high expectations has traveled with my daughter throughout her schooling, and she is now excelling in third grade, due in a large part to Olivia. THANK YOU.

‘She Challenged and Encouraged Me to Rise and Exceed the Expectations Put on Me’

From lydia stocks.

Mrs. Wheless was an extraordinary educator! As a fourth grader she saw in me potential that no one else had. She challenged and encouraged me to rise to and exceed the expectations put on me academically – specifically in the writing content area. Eventually, I’d recognize her as a primary reason to become an educator myself!

‘She Inspired Me to Be a teacher Because I Wanted to Be Just Like Her’

From susan beasley.

I have had the privilege of engaging with many extraordinary educators in my life, as both a student and now a teacher. The most extraordinary though, has been my mother. She received a degree in Business Education from UNCG and was a public high school teacher with Greensboro City Schools and Guilford County Schools for over 30 years. Following her retirement from Guilford County, she continues to teach continuing education courses through GTCC. While I was never a student in her school classroom, I was (and still am) a student in her “classroom of life.” My mom is amazing. She always encouraged me to do my best, helped me through the struggles, and celebrated my successes. I also have had the opportunity to know some of the students she did have in class, and they always told me how much they loved her classes. She always cares and puts the needs of others first. She inspired me to be a teacher because I wanted to be just like her!

‘She Believes in Her Students When They Don’t Believe in Themselves’

From devon rose.

Dr. Candy Beal is an extraordinary educator. She is kind, caring, and patient. She believes in her students when they don’t believe in themselves. She is encouraging and pushes her students to be the very best they can be. She gives practical, realistic advice to her students that we can then give to our own students. I wouldn’t be the educator I am today if it weren’t for Dr. Beal’s steadfast kindness and grace.

‘She Motivated Me to Want to Better Myself, Especially in My Education’

From grace mcgovern.

My teacher in high school was one of the most memorable educators I have ever had. I was very unmotivated to “try” in school because other students had been bullying me. When Mrs. Barber came, she came with an infectious energy and took me under her wing. She motivated me to want to better myself, especially in my education. I still keep in contact with her and now I am in school to become a teacher.

‘She Has Impacted My Life by Inspiring Me to Become a Teacher Myself and Making Me Feel Proud About the Art I Created’

From sophie moffatt.

The most extraordinary educator in my life was my art teacher from high school. I was lucky enough to have her all 4 years so she really helped me grow as a student and a person, while also fostering my passion for art. She became a constant throughout my high school career and she was a personable and trusting adult figure in my life. She was unlike other teachers I’ve had because she fully put her students first and made sure that her classroom was a welcoming and accepting environment for everyone that came in her door. I admire her teaching style based on discussion and feedback, while also empowering one another. She helps others be extraordinary by making students feel proud of the work they accomplish and creating personal connections so the students knew she cared and wanted only the best for us. She has impacted my life in many ways, by inspiring me to become a teacher myself and also making me feel so proud about the art I created. She made her class a safe space for me and made art feel like home and a way to cope with stress or emotions. I cannot thank her enough for how she has transformed me as a student, artist and person.

‘I Want to Run My Classroom the Way She Ran Hers’

From garin sinkovic.

My second-grade teacher Ms. Clifton was the best teacher I’ve ever had. I was lucky enough that she ended up moving up to third-grade the following year so I had her for two years in a row. What I loved about her was that she made learning fun. I always enjoyed coming to school every day and I always had fun in class while still learning the material. She is the reason that I want to become an elementary school teacher. I want learning to be fun, I want my kids to enjoy coming to school every day and I want to be the cool teacher that all the kids want to be around during the school day. Ms. Clifton embodied all those qualities of kindness, passionate, dedicated, and was so much fun. I want to run my classroom the way Ms. Clifton ran hers.

‘She Pushed Me to Become the Best Version of Myself’

From lexi chadwick.

My seventh and eight grade social studies and language arts teacher was amazing. She saw my potential in my life when it came to reading and writing and she pushed me to to become the best version of myself. Not only was she an amazing educator, but she then became an important mentor in my life. I don’t think I would have been able to navigate the rest of middle school without her being there for me through the ups and downs. Mrs. Glow – you are an inspiration to this world and especially to me.

‘She Makes Every Student Feel Like a True Scientist and That They Can Be Anything They Wish to Be’

From mckenzie alford.

My extraordinary educator is Mrs. Jessica Potter, a biology teacher at East Wake Academy in Zebulon, NC. She has always been a teacher to push students to do their best. She always has a smile on her face for her current and former students when they come to visit. She teaches academic/honors/AP biology so she really knows her stuff but her humbleness shines through it all. She makes every student feel like a true scientist and that they can be anything they wish to be. She honestly is the person who inspired me to become a science teacher. She has helped me even in my college years understand science topics, lesson plans, mental health plans, and overall the beautiful chaos that come with the job of teaching. She is and always will the most extraordinary teacher that has impacted my life.

‘She Invested in Me Away from the Classroom’

From kentellia wingate.

My 1st grade teacher, Ms. Gail Hutchinson is my EXTRAordinary educator! She taught me to keep working hard, even when learning new things was challenging. She also invested in me away from the classroom. One of my fondest memories of Ms. Hutchinson is that she found me during my senior year of high school. She took me to dinner and  bought the dress that I wore to graduation. I am thankful for her role in my educational foundation, which contributed to my academic success, and eventually allowed me to be a Teaching Fellow at NC State! I am currently in my 17th year as an educator. c/o ‘03

‘She Ignited a Passion for Reading in Me and Showed Me a few Books That Have had a Profound Impact on my Life’

From eric wylie.

The most extraordinary educator in my life was my 5th grade teacher, Ms Clabbatz. She stressed reading, literature, and comprehension more than anything else and showed us how, through sufficient reading abilities, we could teach ourselves anything. She ignited a passion for reading in me and showed me a few books that have had a profound impact on my life. She also was extremely encouraging and was really good at forming relationships with each and every student in the class. If anyone was ever struggling, she was able to give them the support they needed to understand the concept without neglecting the rest of the class. She’s definitely my role model as I pursue becoming an elementary teacher in the WCPSS.

‘I Don’t Know How He Does it All’

From jennifer lancaster.

Dr. James Bartlett of NC State mentored our entire doctoral cohort in the most extraordinary way. He took us to conferences, co-presented with us, co-wrote papers and articles with us, gave us career advice, and continues to be in touch with us about upcoming opportunities. Dr. Bartlett does so much in the field of career and technical education as well as in adult and community college education. I don’t know how he does it all!

“Without Her Knowledge and Love of Her Career, I Would Never Have Made it This Far or Have the Drive That I Do’

From marsha creekmore.

When we had our son he was diagnosed at a young age with autism. Over the years he has had so many amazing teachers to help support him and us as a family grow. The educator that has made the biggest impact was his early intervention educator. Without her knowledge and love for her career I would never have made it this far or have the drive that I do. Thank you Megan Haley.

‘She Pushed Me to Go Beyond Just Learning for School to Learning for Life and Being a Leader’

From ashley atkinson.

Extraordinary teachers push you to grow and go beyond even your own expectations of yourself. My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Drake, pushed me to go beyond just learning for school to learning for life and being a leader. She provided me with books and enrichment that allowed me to go beyond the content requirements and learn for the sake of learning. When I expressed an interest in architecture she helped me gather resources to learn and then helped me lead a walking tour of our community architecture sharing with my classmates. She helped me own my learning and share it with others. She inspired me to become a teacher.

‘Her Positive Attitude Encourages Me Everyday to Be the Same Way to My Students’

From brooke gupton.

I had a first grader teacher who inspired me to become a teacher. She was kind, caring, and was always happy to be a teacher. When I had fallen on the playground, I ran over to her and she had asked me if I was still going to be able to swim (because I was taking swim lessons). The fact that she remembered that small detail about me, it showed that she cared. Her positive attitude encourages me everyday to be the same to my students!

‘Her Compassion for Herself and Her Peers was Evident’

From tracey gardner.

As an undergraduate accounting student at UNC-Charlotte, I had a political science professor named Dr. Cheryl Brown. I only had her for one class, but she was truly extraordinary.

What made her extraordinary was that she brought her own experiences from when she was as a young Black woman into the classroom and painted pictures for us of how the political landscape impacted her and her friends. Her compassion for herself and her peers was evident.  This made the class much more vivid and showed me, at a young age, how laws make a difference in Americans’ lives.

Now, as a M.Ed. student in school counseling at NC State, I think about Dr. Brown as my cohort looks at the concept of self-disclosure. When done well, self-disclosure is an extremely powerful tool for connection and teaching. – Tracey Gardner, M.Ed. 2021

‘He Really Inspired Me to Come to NC State’

From giovanny hernandez.

An extraordinary educator that I have encountered has to be Mr. Martin. He is an NC State Alumni that was teaching math at my high school, who really inspired me to come to NC State as I wanted to be a great educator like him. He just made sure that everyone in the class was up to par on the lesson and took the time to help the students that were falling behind.

‘I Will Never Forget That Wonderful Year of Honors Senior British Literature’

From robert williams.

When I was in high school I had an English teacher by the name of William Loftin Hargrave III. He was a disarmingly charming elderly gentleman who had served in the military working on computer systems in helicopters. This man was an uncoronated king of British lit.

Sometimes you meet people you just know could have been famous stage actors, well Mr. Hargrave should have been on a stage somewhere with his incredible knowledge of Shakespeare and similar works. But instead, he had a lively classroom where he would encourage us to bring the characters to life and attempt to read between the lines to really figure out what the characters, or even Shakespeare, was trying to say. All the classroom was a stage.

Mr. Hargrave taught us so much about human nature and expression and gave that informal permission so many closeted writers and dramatists need to let their freak flags fly and truly explore themselves through writing. I will never forget that wonderful year of Honors Senior British Literature.”

‘He Was a Model of the Math Teacher That I Became’

From marc kasten.

My teacher, Mr. Tom Taylor, of Avery County High School, is a great example of an educator. For three years, I took math courses with him, and he put up with my terrible notebooks and homework assignments. Mr. Taylor took the time to get to know all of his students. He was willing to go off-book to make math interesting, and he was a model of the math teacher that I became.

‘He is Committed to Being Available Within a Demanding Schedule of Classes, Meetings and Supporting Other Students’

From curtis brower.

Dr. Timothy Drake has been an extraordinary dissertation chair. He has been extremely helpful through the research and writing process. He is very responsive and is always willing to provide prompt feedback. Dr. Drake has been committed to meeting with me on a regular ongoing basis providing support and guidance. Dr. Drake is committed to being available within a demanding schedule of classes, meetings, and supporting other students. I am very appreciative of his commitment to help me succeed.

‘He Affirmed My Talents as a Student and Future Leader’

From kimberly kemp.

Dr. Rick Taylor at ECU is a professor in the English Department at ECU and taught several of my classes in my master’s program there. He was the first person to make me believe I could go beyond getting my master’s degree. Not only did he lead by example by sharing his stories, but he kindled a curiosity that led to me pursuing more information about the doctoral program that led me to NCSU. He affirmed my talents as a student and future leader.

‘She Showed Me How Fun and Exciting Education Can Be’

From molly feezor.

I know an educator that makes all students feel loved. You never walk into her classroom and have to think about whether or not she wants you there. She validates your concerns and struggles as a student but pushes you to go further and do your best, and is happy with whatever your best is as long as it’s your best. This educator supported us in our endeavors and always encouraged greatness. As middle schoolers and later high schoolers, this teacher was always the first person you wanted to go to for advice, validation, encouragement, or just for a smile. She taught the sixth grade but never stopped considering us to be her students. She was the first person we went to when we moved to high school and she was the first person that we went back to visit before graduating high school. This teacher showed me how fun and exciting education can be and that feeling loved in your school is a vital part of your success as a student.

‘She Not Only Taught but She Helped Me Live’

From anne johnson.

I have had many different teachers for different subjects. What makes Mrs. Paul extraordinary is that she not only taught but she helped me live. As a previous early college student, balancing the act of college classes and high school classes is difficult, but having a teacher who tries to helps everyone excel at both, along with being able to talk through the stresses of life with them, is a blessing. Thank you Mrs. Paul, for helping me get into the Pack!

‘She Had the Ability to Make Literature Come Alive’

From shannon clemons.

I have had so many great educators in my life. Mrs. Betty Blackburn was my senior English teacher. Mrs. Blackburn made me love literature to the point that I briefly though about majoring in English Education instead of Science Education. I moved forward with science, however, Mrs. Blackburn had the ability to make literature come alive. As a classroom teacher, I desired to make learning come alive for students. It was important to not just teach, but to make learning meaningful. When I became a principal in Catawba County, Mrs. Blackburn had retired from teaching, but served on the county school board. She still remembered me and talked about the joy of having me in her class. She encouraged me and was a source of support. Mrs. Blackburn has now retired from the school board. I keep up with her through Facebook. She still comments on pictures that I post and does the same with the many students she has taught. Betty Blackburn’s influence and impact did not stop after the time spent in her classroom. I still receive her encouraging words through social media. She is still loved and adored by so many of her former students, including me.

‘He Brought Us Into His Own Journey as a Student’

From matthew henry.

I was a junior in high school. Flint, Michigan. My math teacher that year was Sven Anderson who ultimately influenced my path to become a teacher. Sven had a relaxed classroom approach that made even the most math-anxious student feel at ease. His calm, nurturing demeanor was completely infectious in the classroom. One thing in particular about him that struck me was that he brought us into his own journey as a student. At the time, he was doing graduate work at the University of Michigan. As we struggled in his class, he told about his graduate class struggles — but not in the condescending and finger-wagging “oh, you think you have it hard?” way that other teachers did. Instead, he let us see him as a human being, and not the facade of the infallible adult that so many other teachers created over my years. That, and his laid back personality created a sense of interdependence in his classroom — like we were all in things together, just at different levels of skill and complexity. That ability to connect to students on a human level has guided my own teaching practice — always stay grounded and don’t be afraid to let students see and know the person behind the facade.

‘They Believe That All Students are Capable of Success’

From catie acitelli.

I taught high school math for six years prior to coming back to NC State to pursue a PhD in mathematics. And during my six years teaching in the Charlotte area, I worked alongside the most incredible educators. The math department at Providence High School was (and still is) doing great work. They work well together to deliver exceptional educational experiences to students of all backgrounds; they meet students where they’re at and push them to realize their potential; they support students in their extra curricular activities and get to know students as individuals; they believe that all students are capable of success, and they treat everyone with that respect. The math team at PHS left a great impression on me, as I am constantly encouraged by them as educators.

‘He Worked Tirelessly to Ensure the Success of His Students’

From jana hunter.

My high school agriculture teacher was a truly extraordinary educator. He worked tirelessly to ensure the success of his students, his school, and his FFA chapter. He saw my leadership potential and gave me the opportunity to serve as chairman for our Parliamentary Procedure team — a role that led my teammates and I to compete at the National FFA Convention this October. Three years later, I have also chosen to pursue a career in agricultural education — a decision that I never would have considered without the unmatched influence that this educator had on my life.

‘She Has Always Believed in Me and Has Always Been a Strong Influence in My Life’

From brittany kennon.

My fourth grade teacher Mrs. Dana Bottomley was an extraordinary educator for me and she continues to be extraordinary for her students today. She was always organized and on top of everything, she put together really fun lesson plans, she was always in a positive mood, and she always encouraged us to do our best. She has always believed in me and has always been a strong influence in my life. I consider her to be one of my greatest role models. She’s a really close friend of mine now and we stay in touch. She even has been to a lot of my family events, like my Baptism a few years ago! I think what makes her stand out from the rest of my teachers is her love for not only me but for all of her students and how she is always supportive of us even outside of the classroom. She was my teacher almost ten years ago and she still holds that special place in my heart.

‘She Instilled a Deep Love of Reading and Learning in Me That Never Really Left’

From whitney white.

The most extraordinary educator I ever had was my first-grade teacher at Union Elementary School in Shallotte, NC. Her name is Amy Watkins, and she instilled a deep love of reading and learning in me that never really left. All throughout my K-12 education, when I thought about what I wanted to do with my life, I knew I wanted to be a teacher like Ms. Amy. She taught us how to take pride in ourselves, how to work together, and how finding just the right book can take you to another dimension.

I had many other amazing teachers who taught more rigorous content than what I learned in Ms. Amy’s class, but none of that compared to the love and nurturing that she provided. It was because of her that, as a teacher, I understood why developing relationships was so essential.

The best part is, I still see Ms. Amy every time I go home to visit my family — and I still remind her of what a difference she made in my life almost 30 years ago.

‘She’s So Caring and Shows Kindness in Every Aspect’

From andreas jordan.

My teaching as a profession teacher, Mrs. McClannon has impacted my life in so many ways because she’s so caring and shows kindness in every aspect. She checks in with her students everyday and constantly gets to know us personally. She shows extraordinary compassion to her teaching and helps you when you need it! Now that’s an extraordinary educator!

‘She Connected With Us as Learners. More Importantly, She Believed in Us. She Believed in Me’

From cris charbonneau.

My younger kids asked me if I had class pets in school – as in a dinosaur. According to my third and fifth grader, the best teachers are the ones that have class pets. I dug out a picture of my third grade class picture. Looking at our class photo made me laugh. There I was: sandwiched between a bunny and a chicken. Funny, right? But it was the perfect visual description of my class.

My third-grade teacher passed away. Clara Barefoot Sehorn. That was her name. And as third graders, you can imagine the smirks and the giggles when we learned her middle name. But she didn’t care. She was proud of her name; her heritage; who she was. At a time when, as seven and eight year olds, we were just learning about the world outside our own backyards, and for me, a first-generation Filipino living in a very homogenous community, she helped us embrace our differences. Learning and working with others was a lesson that I’ve kept with me all through life.

Our classroom smelled a bit earthy. The window sills were lined with drying clay pinch pots. Paint brushes saturated with purple, green, and yellow glaze were soaking in the sink. In the back, was our beloved “Nest” – a reading corner piled with big pillows and books, inviting for any student to read, or rest our eyes, or, as Ms. Sehorn always encouraged us, to sit in the nest and “day dream something wonderful, then bring it to life.”

We kept a chicken that laid eggs, incubated them and hatched them. We documented it all. We fed them from droppers and learned about the cycle of life and where our food comes from.

Ms. Sehorn was different from the other teachers in the building. Lessons didn’t seem timed. The entire day seemed to flow. We’d take walks along the path in between the school and the neighboring property where they kept horses. Thistles lined the path. Mount Saint Helen’s ash was still present. We picked up earth worms, potato bugs, dug up rock, clay, dirt, and soil. We composted and created our own garden. Everyone contributed. Every student felt a sense of ownership: a sense of pride in the things we dreamed up and created.

That spring, President Ronald Reagan was assassinated … or so we worried. Our classroom gathered and watched in horror the news reports on the big roll-in tube-TV on a cart. There were very few TVs at our school, but Ms. Sehorn insisted the importance of understanding what had happened. She was emotional. She was concerned. She talked about the importance of the office of the President; I remembered she said, “Even if I don’t agree with him, I respect the position of leadership.” She talked about guns and mental illness. Ms. Sehorn was honest and forthright. She took every moment to help open up our minds, consider the facts, learn to voice our thoughts, and formulate an opinion.

I remember her beautiful smile; her energetic voice; her quick movements throughout the room. I can still feel the twinkle in her eye when she saw the spark in mine. Ms. Sehorn created a spark of curiosity with her experiential learning environment. She encouraged a creative spirit and desire to shine with bright colors amongst a sea of gray. She connected with us as learners. More importantly, she believed in us. She believed in me.”

‘They Not Only Made Math Bearable for Me, but Helped Me to Gain an Appreciation and Enjoyment of the Subject’

From beth gehringer.

Because there are too many extraordinary educators that have impacted my life, I have to choose the two that gave me the greatest appreciation for learning. Two of my high school math teachers not only made math bearable for me, but helped me to gain an appreciation and enjoyment of the subject. Not only that, but because they impacted me so much, it has encouraged me to do the same for others, therefore why I am choosing to pursue a career in education.

‘She Has a Huge Heart for Education and That Showed in Every Single Thing She Did and Said’

From jade smith.

Carol Pope is one of the educators that stands out most to me when I think back on my time at NC State in the Middle Grades Ed program. She’s the most patient educator. She was always able to make her teaching relatable, ensuring that we had real life experiences because there is no teacher like first hand experience. She planned for us to put our practice into real life by partnering our class with a middle school class at Centennial Campus Middle School. She always gave us constructive criticism in a way that made us want to grow and learn and be better teachers. She has a huge heart for education and that showed in every single thing she did and said.

‘I Hope to Become an Educator in a Student’s Life That He Was for Me’

From nicole renwick.

Coach Starr has been the most extraordinary educator in my life! He was a first grade teacher and my high school cross country coach! Over the years, Coach Starr is become a second dad for me! With my parents being divorced and my dad not always supporting me in cross country and my decision to pursue a career in education, having Coach Starr in my life was one of the biggest blessings! One of the most meaningful memories I have of Coach Starr is after a high school cross country meet when my dad pulled me out of the meet so I couldn’t run and I left the meet in tears because being a part of the cross country team was one of my favorite things about high school and I felt like I had let my team down. However, that night he called me to make sure I was okay and ensured me that I had not let the team down, that it was out of my control, and the team was there to support me through the challenge I was dealing with!

Coach Starr has also been the biggest supporter of me choosing a career in education. I have called him for countless interviews on what it means to be a coach and a first grade teacher, has provided me with my entire future classroom library of over 500 books, and he frequently checks up on how my field placement is going.

After I graduate in a few short months, I hope to become an educator in a student’s life that Coach Starr was for me! I hope to put relationships first and be my student’s biggest supporters!

‘I Can’t Thank Her Enough for the Care and Support She Provides Each and Every Student’

From samir patel.

When I was an undergrad in the College of Education, I had many different professors that truly cared for our growth. One professor that stood out the most was Dr. Edgington.

Dr. Edgington stood out the most because of her passion and commitment to making sure her students could become the best teachers they possibly could. You could tell that every detail that went into a lecture was on purpose and throughout. The classes were engaging and interactive and you actively felt like you were learning.

The experiences I had in Dr. Edgington’s class are the ones that I’ll carry over to any career that I take. I often still use these experiences and insights currently in grad school. I can’t thank Dr. Edgington enough for the care and support she provides each and every student.

‘He is a Visionary, Child Advocate and Does What is Best for Students’

From debby woodard.

My extraordinary educator is Dr. Rodney Peterson. Dr. Peterson is a visionary, child advocate and does what is best for students. When my son was transitioning from 5th grade to 6th grade he was moving from his home school to Dr. Peterson’s school. At his home school based on the bias recommendation of a 5th grade teacher he was recommended for remedial math classes. Dr. Peterson met with my son and looked at his test scores and ability. My son was placed in an Advanced Math Course. Dr. Peterson said give him a chance to show you what he can do. Because of that decision and Dr. Peterson taking a chance on my son he is now a Dual Major of Forensic Biology and Criminal Justice at Western Carolina University and possibly a Law Degree at Campbell University. He earned a Pharmacy Tech Certification so he could work as as a Pharmacy Tech during college. Dr. Peterson was the person who said, “Give him a chance to show you what he can do and believed in my son.” I will forever be grateful to Dr. Peterson. Without Dr. Peterson my son’s journey would be so much different. I thank GOD for placing Dr. Person as my son’s principal and owe part of his success to the forward thinking by Dr. Peterson.

‘She Provided an Outlet for Me to Express How I Was Feeling’

From amy choi.

The extraordinary educator in my life was my ninth grade English teacher, Ms. Gilliam. At a time in my life when everything seemed so confusing and scary, she provided an outlet for me to express how I was feeling through our daily journals that we would write in little composition books and she would always respond back to me. It wasn’t just that it was feedback on my writing but it was that she was actually reading what I was going through and hearing me. It didn’t feel so lonely when I knew that Ms. Gilliam was reading and understanding me. I took this trait with me through the years and now I am a history teacher and I also have my students write daily journals, usually reflections, and I always make sure to make personal, individualized comments to each student on their work. All high schoolers want is to be heard. I am thankful to Ms. Gilliam for showing me that.

‘I Am Truly Humbled by all the Opportunities That Our Professors Provide Us With’

From nada wafa.

I really enjoy working with our amazing professors and educators at the College of Education. As a research assistant, I am truly humbled by all the opportunities that our professors provide us with. I’ve recently worked on preparing the event, Dessert with Democracy, with an amazing educator, professor, mentor, and friend, Dr. Paula McAvoy. It’s been a true honor working with her. It was a very fulfilling experience knowing that we had done something so wonderful and so great in allowing others to navigate through dialogues and discussions about contemporary issues happening in the US. I look forward to continuing to work alongside wonderful educators in our College of Education.

‘Her Commitment to Developing the Next Generation of Community College Leaders is Apparent’

From ashley swing.

The faculty of the Adult and Community College education program have been excellent and has provided a lot of great hands-on experiences for our cohort. My chair, Dr. Audrey Jaeger, is especially amazing and always available to help and suggest. She really takes the time to connect with her students and help as often as needed. Her commitment to developing the next generation of community college leaders is apparent.

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What inspired you to become a teacher? Interview questions answered

Making important decisions in life, we are almost always inspired by someone or something , though we may not always realize it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a person, or an event in our life. We can find inspiration in a powerful vision , something we hope to do with our life, for ourselves, our family, country, for the world. But why do the hiring managers inquire about this in an interview?

First of all, they wonder about your inspiration because they know the job of a teacher in challenging . And the same is true about college, if you happen to face this question in a school admission interview… You’ll face many obstacles on your way and it is ten times easier to continue trying your best when you have some driving force inside, some inspiration, or someone you look up to. If you are in only for money, or because you parents wanted you to teach , you will quit, sooner or later.

Let’s have a look at 7 sample answers to this intriguing question. I tried to come up with some variety on my list , because we can be inspired by all sorts of things. Some answers are rather unconventional , but in certain cases such answers can be your best bet. In any case, I hope at least one of the answers will resonate with you , and help you to come up with the goods in your upcoming interview.

7 sample answers to “What inspired you to become a teacher?”

• If I should pick one thing only, I’d go with my own studies . I wasn’t the best student when I started at the elementary. Had some issues, we didn’t have it easy back home either. But I met excellent teachers who did not give up on me , who helped me to see my potential and develop it further. Without exaggerating, these two teachers were perhaps the most important people in my life, besides my parents of course. The experience with them inspired me to pursue career in teaching , and I hope to play a similar role in the lives of my students.
• I was inspired by my early successes when tutoring my classmates . I’ve always excelled in Math, Physics, and Chemistry, subject many students struggle with. My classmates also struggled to pass the exams, and so I was giving them some extra classes in the afternoon. And I was surprised by two things: first one, how much I enjoyed teaching others. And the second one– it actually worked. They improved their grades, passed the exams. I quickly realized that I had natural talent for teaching , and it inspired me to pursue the career in the field.
• I have a vision that inspires me . Playing an important role in life of my students, being not only their teacher, but also their role model, at least when it comes to values and attitude to life. Let’s face the reality–the world we live in isn’t a simple place. We face many problems in society, and the future does not look bright. In my opinion, good teachers and role models are as needed as ever , at least if we want to hope for better tomorrows. My vision of becoming such a teacher, and in this way contributing to a better future for all, inspired me to enroll in this study program.
• Honestly, speaking, I struggle to define it . I know that I want to teach. It just feels natural to me to pursue this career , instead of some other. And I also believe I have good predispositions for becoming a great teacher. But I cannot point out one thing that inspired me in particular. Maybe you can say that my entire life inspired me . All I’ve been through, all people I’ve met, experiences I’ve accumulated over the years. As a result I feel a desire to become a teacher, and I hope to get a chance to prove that my desire is honest, and not superficial.
• There was an event in my life, something I will never forget . I was down and out. Struggling at school, having issues in my personal life, and also experiencing some health problems. I felt completely lonely in the world, as if I was living in the middle of the desert. It was very hard to talk to me, and everyone gave up on me, except of our class teacher . One day when everyone left she asked me to stay. She talked to me for about 20 minutes. But it weren’t just some empty phrases. She shared with me her own story–the struggles she faced when she was at my age. And she also told me it makes sense to fight, because life is a sine wave, and when one is down things can only get better from there … Last but not least, she gave me her personal number and said I could call her at anytime. Maybe it was just a gesture, but it meant everything for me back then . Years later, when I was deciding about my future career, this event played the prime. My class teacher and the talk we had on that rainy afternoon inspired me to also teach.
• My desire to spend as much time with young people as possible . Because I really feel great in this environment, I thrive in it, and I believe that students can feel it, and that they can spot the difference in the classroom. Of course, one is super idealistic about students, maybe even forgetting experiences from their youth . I know that some people won’t like me, some may even betray my trust, and with some students I actually won’t enjoy working. But I also see this as a part of the process, and it definitely doesn’t discourage me from teaching.
• It may sound strange, but my trip to Latin America inspired me . Let me explain. I visited many poor places, including some slums in Brazil and Argentina. Seeing all these children without education, and realizing the impact it will have on their future, or to say it more precisely, realizing that they have no future , inspired me to pursue career in education. Because I really believe each child deserves a chance to study , at least at the elementary school. One day, if things go well, I will be teaching these poor children in South America. That would be a dream come true.

Do not forget on enthusiasm in your voice

People in the hiring committee do not focus only on your words. They notice so much more! Your body language, your tone of voice, whether you really mean what you are saying , or say something just because you know it is a good answer to their question.

Keep this on your mind. If something inspires you, speak about it with some energy , some enthusiasm in your voice. They should get an impression that your inspiration is really important to you, and it is one of the pillars you can cling to in difficult times , for example when you struggle with some students, or suddenly do not enjoy your teaching anymore…

Ready to answer this one? I hope so! Do not forget to check also 7 sample answers to other tricky interview questions:

• What have you learned from your teaching experiences?
• What is your teaching philosophy?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher?
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Answers to “Who Inspires You?” (5 Examples)

By Biron Clark

Published: November 15, 2023

In a job interview, employers don’t just want to know you can do the job; they want to know about your life and interests.

So they ask interview questions like, “Who inspires you in your life?” or “Who is your greatest inspiration?”

And if you struggle to answer or give a response they don’t like, it could cost you the job.

Keep reading for tips on how to answer, “Who inspires you?” with example responses, mistakes to avoid, and more.

How to Answer the “Who Inspires You?” Interview Question

First of all, this is an incredibly open-ended interview question.

And while there are no wrong responses… some answers are better than others.

You could answer that your mother or father is your greatest inspiration. And that would be an okay answer.

But I recommend you look beyond a personal or family connection when answering, and consider the specific job you’re interviewing for.

Because the next question you’ll be asked, assuming you don’t expand on it in the first place, is “why?”

What did your mother, father, college teacher , or other personal connection do that was so inspiring? Was it their work ethic? Leadership skills?

Again, any of those answers are correct, but your answer will stand out and resonate more with the interviewer if you go into detail and ideally, tailor your answer to the traits required in the position you’re discussing.

Here’s a good example of how to answer this interview question by matching your inspiration to the job.

Imagine you’re looking for a career with a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide aid to the homeless, the sick, and the poor.

Claiming Mother Teresa as your greatest inspiration would be a sensible answer to the question.

She devoted most of her life to charitable work, helping the homeless, sick, and poor.

Or, if you were interviewing for a leadership position, you could use someone past or present who showed exemplary leadership as your inspiration.

Just be sure to pick someone you really admire because there’s a good chance your body language will give you away if you’re lying.

And yes, don’t be surprised if the recruiter or manager has some skill at reading body language.

The point is, your answer not only provides some insight into the person you aspire to be, but also highlights the type of behavioral patterns and attitudes you admire and respect.

And that will translate into the type of person you would be on the job.

Here’s another example of thinking about the job when answering “Who inspired you in your life?”

Imagine you’re interviewing for an accounting position. The soft skills you’ll need are:

• Problem-solving
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral
• Critical thinking
• Time management

You could use some famous accountants as your answer, perhaps someone like William Deloitte or William Cooper, the founders of Deloitte & Touche and Price Waterhouse Coopers respectively.

Or you could think outside the box and use as your inspiration someone who was or is well known for their critical thinking or problem-solving skills.

Of course, if you go this route, you need to clearly communicate your reasoning to your interviewer.

If you were to throw out Albert Einstein as your inspiration, that might not make sense to the person or people interviewing you because he’s a well-known physicist. But dig a little deeper and he’s also famous for being a problem solver and critical thinker, so you could talk about how he inspired you in those areas.

Throw an answer like that out and trust me, you’ll gain some serious credibility points.

As you can see, there’s no one “right” answer to this interview question. The key is to be able to explain why you choose the person and connect the dots between their story and your career and life goals.

Who Inspires You? Example Answers

Next, we’ll look at word-for-word who inspires you examples using people, past or present, who led a life that meshes with your career path and interests.

Example #1 for Who Inspires You: Mother Teresa

Someone who inspired me in my personal life and work is Mother Teresa. She dedicated her life to helping those less fortunate, and I’d like to achieve a similar story when I look back on my life. Also, I believe that her desire to help others made her a great leader, even though few would think of her that way. One of my favorite quotes by her is, “Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

This sample answer would be excellent if interviewing for a position at a charitable organization or other socially conscious organization.

It’s also a good answer for any role utilizing soft skills like leadership, empathy, emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and more.

No matter what your religious beliefs are (and I would recommend you don’t address them in the job interview), using this example answer with the reasons above would work in your favor and help you land any leadership role in an organization that values helping others.

Example #2 for Who Inspires You: Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein has inspired me in my career. His theories and vision enabled some of the technology we take for granted today, like GPS, lasers, atomic clocks, and much more. He also struggled with and had to overcome self-doubt, like so many people do. The fact that even he faced self-doubt is inspiring and reminds me to be persistent and believe in myself.

Albert Einstein would be a great choice for the “Who inspires you” interview question for anyone seeking a position in a company that requires creativity. For example:

• Any kind of artist
• Authors/writers
• College art, drama, or music teachers
• Editors, print or video
• Fashion designer
• Industrial designer
• Landscape architects

Example #3 for Who Inspires You: Michael Jordan

I’ve been inspired by Michael Jordan. He was talented, but more importantly, he was willing to outwork the competition and focus intensely on his goals. He was relentless and never stopped pushing himself to improve. One excellent piece of advice he shared was to never forget the fundamentals. “The minute you get away from fundamentals, whether it’s proper technique, work ethic, or mental preparation, the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, your job, whatever you’re doing.”

This is an interview answer that you could use for virtually any type of job.

In the corporate world, there are fundamentals critical to your success. Each job position will have its own fundamentals, but Jordan’s advice is that whatever they are, keep at them.

He also didn’t let failure stop him, which you can also say was inspiring to you. Ironically, when he was in high school, he was disqualified from the varsity basketball team because he wasn’t tall enough or good enough.

What did he do? Well, he eventually grew but more importantly, he practiced until he was good enough.

All of the factors above make Michael Jordan an excellent choice for someone you find inspiring.

Note that you could also choose a more recent athlete such as Kobe Bryant if you prefer (who happened to have a similar mindset, competitiveness, and mental toughness to Michael Jordan).

Example #4 for Who Inspires You: William Deloitte

Since becoming an accountant , I’ve been inspired by William Deloitte, one of the fathers of accounting. I’m inspired by his innovation, leadership, and interpersonal skills. These traits allowed him to make powerful connections and accomplish a tremendous amount in his career. He was ambitious and aimed high, too, which are values that are important to me. He started his career at 15 and opened his own practice at 25. He went on to found one of the largest accounting firms in the world, so his story is a reminder to stay ambitious and motivated in life.

This is a good answer to “Who inspires you?” if interviewing for any position in accounting or bookkeeping.

Remember, it’s always a good idea to consider the job you’re discussing when you answer this interview question.

Example #5 for Who Inspires You: Your Father

My father is someone who inspired me throughout life and is the reason I got into the marketing industry. When he was 19, he started a small local marketing firm and grew it to the point of having 200 clients throughout the state. He recognized that building strong relationships is just as important as being competent in your work, and he became excellent at both through consistent effort. He was also an inspiration because nobody told him to go down the marketing route, and he didn’t study marketing in school. Instead, he read local newspapers, saw opportunities to help businesses market themselves better in the local community, and went door-to-door to get his first clients.

As you can see, it’s okay to say a personal connection or family member inspired you.

But if choosing friends, parents, or other relatives/personal connections, you need to be ready to show something exceptional they did and exactly how that was an inspiration in your life and career. Otherwise, choose someone else as your inspirational figure.

Now you have 5 examples to the question, “Who inspires you?”

I’ve mentioned a few times that there are no wrong answers to this interview question. But there are some mistakes you should avoid when giving your interview answer…

Mistakes to Avoid When Answering “Who Inspires You?”

The #1 mistake to avoid when saying who inspires you in an interview:

If there’s anything we’ve learned in the last several years, it’s that there are some topics and people who are completely polarizing. Many people are one hundred percent for or against something or someone.

Why does that matter?

Because you have no idea where the person who’s interviewing you stands on the subject. And if you voice a strong like or dislike contrary to theirs, that could count against you.

So it’s best to stay away from anyone or anything highly controversial or polarizing, such as most political figures or issues.

Further mistakes to avoid:

• If you do choose a famous person, make sure they really are someone you admire and respect. Otherwise you won’t sound convincing.
• Don’t give an answer that’s more than 60-90 seconds. Be selective in sharing why someone has inspired you and just choose a few key points to share. You don’t need to share every detail you’ve read and researched about this person, and if the interviewer wants to hear more, they’ll ask.
• Don’t ever answer without having a reason ready. If you choose your mother, father, a friend, or anyone related to you, be sure to have an appropriate reason.

8 Types of People You Can Say Inspired You

To help you gather more ideas for potential answers to “Who inspired you in your life?” here are some general types of people you can mention as your inspiration.

• Historical figures
• Mentors/coaches
• Noteworthy people in your community
• Parents, family, and friends

If you follow the steps and sample answers above, you’ll be ready to answer “Who inspires you?” in your next interview.

If you can’t think of someone to name and the examples above don’t work for you, don’t panic.

Google is your friend for coming up with more answers and people you find inspiring.

If you’re not sure what soft skills and traits are most important for the position your interview is for, you can do a search on something like “soft skills needed for…” and just fill in either the field or role you’re hoping to get hired for.

Also, look at the job description before your interview. Notice which skills and traits are mentioned first and/or most often.

Then, you can try searching for someone motivational that matches the soft skills required for the job. Try something like a search for “examples of people with a good work ethic.”

This preparation will help you wow the interviewer so you can land the job.

Related interview questions:

• What do you like to do for fun?
• How would you describe yourself?
• Tell me about a time you failed?

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

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Essay Samples on Someone Who Inspires Me

At its core, inspiration is a powerful force that ignites passion, propels dreams, and molds individuals into extraordinary beings. It is the vibrant pulse that surges through our veins, pushing us to achieve greatness even in the face of adversity. Crafting an essay about someone who inspires you allows you to shine a spotlight on the transformative power of such individuals.

How to Write an Essay on Someone Who Inspires Me

Here are some useful example you shpuld consider when writing a college essay about someone who inspires you:

• Consider beginning with a heartfelt introduction that captivates the reader’s attention and sets the stage for the awe-inspiring journey to come.
• Share a personal anecdote or a defining moment that sparked the connection between you and your inspirational figure, allowing the reader to empathize with your experience.
• Delve into the qualities and actions that make this individual so inspiring. Explore their accomplishments, perseverance, and unwavering determination. Showcase how their words and deeds have impacted your life, shaping your values and aspirations. Be vivid and descriptive, illustrating the profound influence they have had on your personal growth and development.
• Weave in personal reflections throughout your essay. Share introspective thoughts and revelations, highlighting the lessons you have learned and the ways in which your perspective has evolved. By doing so, you invite the reader to embark on a transformative journey alongside you, creating a powerful emotional connection.

To aid you in your writing process, we provide a sample essay about someone who inspires you. It serves as a guiding light, illustrating the structure, tone, and depth needed to craft an outstanding piece. Drawing inspiration from this sample, embrace your unique voice, infuse your essay with passion, and let your words leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of the readers.

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Best topics on Someone Who Inspires Me

1. A Bond Beyond Words: Reflecting on My Relationship with Someone Special

2. A Beacon of Inspiration: A Descriptive Peace about the Person I Admire

3. A Person I Will Always Remember: My English Teacher

4. My Grandmother as My Role Model: Her Role in Shaping My Identity

5. My Role Model and My Heroes: Mother and Father

6. Audrey Hepburn: Life Of A Timeless Inspiration Of Mine

7. Oprah Winfrey and Ariana Grande: Women That Inspire Me

8. St. Bernadette: The Woman That Inspires Me

9. Simone De Beauvoir One of the Greatest Woman

10. Ned Kelly: American Hero Or Villain

11. Joan of Arc One of the Most Heroic Women in French History

12. Who Inspired Me to Become a Nurse

13. Mary Kom, The Person Who Inspired Me to Pursue My Dreams

14. The People Who Shaped Me

15. Three People Who Influenced Me Throughout My Life

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