What is a teacher?

What is a teacher?

Open up an Oxford dictionary, and it will define a teacher as "a person whose job is teaching, especially in a school". Go to dictionary.com and it will tell you that a teacher is "a person who teaches or instructs, especially as a profession".

While there is nothing seemingly wrong with those definitions, they undermine what a teacher truly is.

A teacher is someone who not only teaches and instructs, he/she is someone who genuinely cares for his/her students, and works to the best of his/her ability to nurture them and lead them to a bright future. A teacher helps a student form their own identity and learn about themselves, and extend their capabilities. A teacher's care extends beyond the classroom, plucking out the best petals in every student. 

I have found guidance, friendship, discipline and love in all of my teachers. To my teachers whom I no longer have the great joy of having classes with, you will always continue to inspire me. To all of my teachers at the current, thank you for guidance and patience so far, and I hope to learn more and more from you each day. 

To all teachers all over the world, you are an inspiration. Your students may not always show their appreciation, but they do appreciate you and all that you do. Thank you for showing us things beyond a textbook, for passing your knowledge onto us and being wonderful guides in our lives. Happy Teacher's Day!