I Am a Teacher

I am a Teacher.

I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child.

I have been many people in many places.

I am Socrates, exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas through the use of questions.

I am Anne Sullivan, tapping out the secrets of the universe into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller.

I am Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen, revealing truth through countless stories.

I am Marva Collins, fighting for every child's right to an education.

I am Mary McCleod Bethune, building a great college for my people, using orange crates for desks.

And I am Bel Kaufman, struggling to go Up the Down Staircase.

The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall of fame for humanity...Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses, and Jesus.

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