I think Teacher’s Day is a great idea and I’m quite proud that we thought this one up. I was one of those socially awkward, permanently mortified nerds who just did not fit in. I was saved by teachers who showed me that not fitting in was not just alright, but maybe even a strength to be discovered with hard work and commitment.

On Teacher’s Day, standard declarations of gratitude make us laugh or go teary-eyed. There may even be some token discussion about the terrible work conditions of public school teachers. But I propose that from now on, Teacher’s Day also require some reflection about what sort of student to be.