IamateacherIwasbornthefirstmomentthataquestionleapedfromthemouthofachild.Ihavebeenmanypeopleinmanyplaces.IamSocratesexcitingtheyouthofAthenstodiscovernewideasthroughtheuseofquestions.IamAnneSullivantappingoutthesecretsofuniverseintotheoutstretchedhandofHelenKeller.IamAesopandHansChristianAndersenrevealingtruththroughcountlessstories.Thenamesofthosewhohavepracticedmyprofessionringlikeahalloffamefoehumanity…Buddha,Confucius,MosesandJesus.Iamalsothosewhosenamesandfaceshavelongbeenforgottenbutwhoselessonsandcharacterwillalwaysberememberedintheaccomplishmentsoftheirstudents.Ihaveweptforjoyattheweddingsofformerstudents,laughedwithgleeatthebirthoftheirchildrenandstoodwithheadbowedingriefandconfusionbygravesdugtoosoonforbodiesfartooyoung.ThroughoutthecourseofadayIhavebeencalledupontobeanactor,friend,nurseanddoctor,coach,finderoflostarticles,money-lender,taxidriver,psychologist,substituteparent,salesman,politician,andakeeperofthefaith.Despitethemaps,charts,formulasverbs,storiesandbooks,Ihavereallyhadnothingtoteach,formystudentsreallyhaveonlythemselvestolearn,andIknownittakesthewholeworldtotellyouIamaparadox,IspeakloudestwhenIlistenthemost.MygreatestgiftsareinwhatIamwillingtoappreciativelyreceivefrommystudents.Materialwealthisnotoneofmygoal,butIamafulltimetreasureseekerinmyquestfornewopportunitiesformystudentstousetheirtalentsandinmyconstantsearchforthosetalentsthatsometimeslieburiedinself-defeat.Iamthemostfortunateofallwholabor.Adoctorisallowedtousherlifeintotheworldinonemagicmoment.Iamallowedtoseethatlifeisreborneachdaywithnewquestion,ideasandfriendships.Anarchitectknowsthatifhebuildswithcare,hisstructuremaystandforcenturies.Ateacherknowsthatifhebuildswithloveandtruth,whathebuildswilllastforever.Iamawarrior,dailydoingbattleagainstpressure,negativity,fear,conformity,prejudice,ignoranceandapathy,butIhavegreatallies:intelligence,curiosity,parentalsupport,individuality,creativity,faith,loveandlaughterallrushtomybannerwithindomitablesupport.AndwhodoIhavetothankf