Teachers across the world play an important role in shaping the lives of children, often in ways that go beyond textbooks and lesson plans. To celebrate World Teachers’ Day, we asked members of our leaders from schools that have triumphed in the World’s Best School Prizes to share the moments that have reminded them why they teach.
Celebrating student achievements
For many educators, witnessing students overcome obstacles and achieve their goals is the most rewarding aspect of the job. These moments of personal transformation leave a lasting impact on both teachers and students alike. For Serafín Ordonñez Anacona from Colegio La Giralda in Colombia, which was a Top 10 Shortlisted School for the World’s Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives, the remainder of his teaching purpose is “when a student becomes a professional and achieves the goals and dreams of his or her life project”.
Colegio La Giralda, Colombia:
Many of the most fulfilling moments in teaching come when we see our students achieve things that once seemed out of reach, such as mastering a new concept or achieving life goals.
Henrique Oliveira Lima from Colégio Militar de Manaus in Brazil, which was a Top 10 Shortlisted School for the World’s Best School Prize for Innovation 2024 said: “One of the most powerful moments that reminded me why I chose to teach was when a student who had been struggling for weeks finally had that “aha” moment. We had been working on a difficult concept, and I could see the frustration building in them. But then, one day, something clicked. Their eyes lit up with understanding, and they turned to me and said, “I get it now!” That moment of joy and pride in their voice made all the effort worth it.”
Colégio Militar de Manaus, Brazil:
In another instance, Roudaina Kassam from Rashaya Public High School in Lebanon, which was a Top 10 Shortlisted school for the World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action 2024, shared the immense pride they felt when a student who used to struggle with confidence transformed into a leader:
“Once, I had one of those moments that reminded me exactly why I teach. One of my students, who used to struggle with confidence, stood in front of the class and delivered a presentation with such passion and clarity. Watching them blossom from a quiet learner into a leader filled my heart with so much pride. It’s moments like these that make every challenge, every long day, completely worth it. This is why we teach — to witness these transformations and to be part of their journey.”
Rashaya Public High School, Lebanon:
Emotional connection
Being a teacher is so much more than teaching, it’s about building strong emotional connections with students. This story shared by Atima Joshi from Middelton International School in Singapore, which was a Top 3 finalist for the World’s Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives 2024, highlights the importance of teaching emotional skills that will help students in their daily lives:
“A few months ago one of my kindergarten students got separated from his mother on a public bus. He soon realised that his mum was not on the bus . So he went to an adult and let them know that he was lost and that he needed to go to his school. The good Samaritan brought him to our school. When the boy saw me at the gates he burst into tears of relief. As we sat down together and I was getting ready to ask him to take some deep breaths, he turned to me and said “I know what to do. I ‘breathed’ 10 times to calm myself down on the bus! And then I ‘breathed’ six times again to calm myself down when I was scared in the taxi. I will do that now. ”
Middleton International School, Singapore:
As we sat together in the sun waiting for his mum, his tears glistening on his face, a steady calm breath filled us both. The mindful breathing techniques we had practised in the class had held him in good stead.
If a kindergarten student can remember to take deep breaths to calm himself down in a crisis, imagine what this can do for the world!! This is why I teach!”
Henrique Oliveira Lima from Brazil also shared the deep impact they had on a student after they had left the classroom: “Another unforgettable moment was when a former student reached out to me years later. They told me how something I had taught, or maybe a piece of advice I had given, made a significant impact on their life. Hearing that I had played a small role in shaping their future reminded me why I do what I do. It’s moments like these that reaffirm the deep, meaningful purpose of teaching.”
A final story from Ritu d.Singh from CM Rise School, Kalyanpura, Jhabua in India, which was a Top 10 Shortilised school for the World’s Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives 2024, shared how teaching morals and life lessons to children brought a deep sense of purpose:
“When I was teaching children on basic morals and life teaching principles to children it really made me feel like wow as a teacher it is always a great responsibility to take care of each child and to teach them well.”
CM RISE School, Kalyanpura, Jhabua:
Community impact
Teachers and schools are deeply committed to their communities and those relationships can lead to some of the most powerful and rewarding experiences. Gajendra Singh Rathore from CM RISE School Vinoba, Ratlam, in India, which was a Top 3 Finalist School for the World’s Best School Prizes for Innovation 2024 recalled an incredible moment of recognition on the global stage:
“I cannot forget that day of 13 June 2024. When T4 Education included my school CM Rise Vinoba Ratlam MP India in the top-10 schools of the world. The joy that the students, parents and teachers celebrated, those moments were unforgettable. At the same time, someone called me on the stage as a school leader, presented me with a bouquet and all the people present stood up and started clapping. There were tears of joy in my eyes, along with me, the eyes of many parents, teachers and children also filled up. We were all grateful to each other. In two years, we had brought a school beyond its challenges to the global stage. I have received many national honours including the President’s Award, but this moment was the most precious.”
CM RISE School Vinoba, Ratlam:
Mrs. Swapna Yadav from Mumbai Public School L.K. Waghi International (IGCSE), in India, which was a Top 10 shortlisted school for the World’s Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives 2024, represented a public school on a big stage among private schools, creating an identity for their school community:
“I proudly presented the success story of MPS L.K. Waghji International School at the Cambridge School Leaders Forum in Juhu. I was the only one from a public school amid private schools, but deep inside I knew this was the best opportunity to represent Mumbai Public School on a big stage. I almost presented my topic confidently, and it received a thunderous applause. After my presentation, many eminent speakers and school leaders extended their wishes and appreciated the work we did in a short span of time. That was the moment I felt accomplished, happy to make an identity of the first BMC school offering the Cambridge curriculum!”
Mumbai Public School L.K. Waghji International (IGCSE):
Janaina Alves Pereira Freire from Escola Estadual Deputado Pedro Costa, in Brazil, which was a Top 3 Finalist school for the World’s Best School Prize for Community Collaboration 2024 shared a moment where the school hosted a community event that brought everyone together:
“On September 19th, when students, parents, and the community were present at our school for a great social action, the joy and gratitude were overwhelming. With the participation of dentists, ophthalmologists, vaccine specialists, nutritionists, and others, the students and community expressed that it was the best day of school in their lives. It is these moments of connection and support that keep us motivated to do more.”
Escola Estadual Deputado Pedro Costa, Brazil:
Happy Teachers’ Day!
These stories show us that teaching is about so much more than delivering lessons in a classroom. It’s about the relationship we build with our students, the transformations we witness, and the communities we uplift. The rewards of teaching are deep and lasting.
On World Teachers’ Day, at T4 Education we celebrate the passion, dedication and the impact educators have on the lives of students and their communities. Every story reminds us of the importance of this profession and why we continue to do what we do – because we know that everything that happens in a classroom shapes a student’s future.
