QotD: World Teachers' Day

In honor of World Teachers' Day today, tell us about a teacher who had a positive impact on your life.

A number of teachers had a positive impact on my life:

Mrs Bell, who encouraged some very creative writing. My teenage years were a mixed up time and she allowed me to express myself in a way that helped me to become myself without judgment or fear.

Then there was Prof. Al-Malaika, who still to this day haunts me with her wonderful animated descriptions of polymer chains and additives as spaghetti and sauce.

For a long time I wanted to be a teacher, but during my early twenties I realised it was a huge burden. I remembered the teachers, who for one reason or another had let me down. From the ones that turned away during the insidious bullying, to those where were obviously intelligent and passionate about their subject but simply had no ability for communicating that knowledge with young people. So I let it go.

Hats off to those who saw in me something the others didn't. You encouraged me to be myself. I am eternally grateful.