“If you have to put someone on a pedestal, put teachers. They are society’s heroes.”
— Guy Kawasaki

When we think of heroes, our minds often gravitate toward those who wear capes in movies or those who serve in visibly heroic professions such as firefighters, police officers, and medical professionals. While their contributions are undeniably vital, there is another group of heroes whose impact quietly shapes every one of those professions—and society as a whole: teachers.

Behind nearly every successful person stands at least one educator who walked just a few steps behind them, guiding, supporting, and protecting their potential. Take a moment to think about a teacher—or perhaps a group of teachers, if you were fortunate—who made a meaningful difference in your life. Can you name them? More importantly, can you identify the qualities that set them apart? Words like compassionate, patient, loving, open-minded, humorous, and a great listener often come to mind.

For me, that person was my elementary music teacher, Mrs. Riddle, at Lake Seneca. She made music truly enjoyable, even though I could not play an instrument or sing to save my life. What I remember most was her kindness and gentle humor, and the way she encouraged everyone to participate—especially during the annual musical performances, which I proudly took part in despite my lack of musical talent.

I still remember her weekly announcements of the Bach and Beethoven Awards, given to the top music classes of the week. They were small statues of the composers, but to us, they were priceless. We treated them like gold and proudly displayed them in our classrooms as bragging rights for the entire school to see. Those small gestures created excitement, community, and confidence—things that stayed with us long after the music ended.

Of course, many of us can also recall the unfortunate opposite: educators who appeared grumpy, disinterested, or disengaged—those who seemed as if they did not care about the students or even want to be there. Hopefully, those experiences were few and far between. At their best, teachers should represent a flicker of hope for every student—a reminder that anything is possible with effort, support, and belief.

If you studied to become a teacher or serve as part of a school’s support system, this next part is for you. School support staff include, but are not limited to, Speech and Language Pathologists, School Counselors, Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Support Facilitators, PE, Art, and Music teachers, Instructional Assistants, Safety Guards, Front Office Staff, Food and Nutrition Services, and Maintenance teams.

No matter your role—and no matter how visible or invisible your daily work may feel—I am here to tell you that you matter. The impact you have on students and families is real, meaningful, and lasting. Sometimes that impact is academic, sometimes emotional, and sometimes it is simply showing up consistently with kindness and care.

Just as we should always tell our children: you matter. And to every educator and school support professional—you matter too. You are shaping lives, even on the days when it feels thankless or unseen. You truly are society’s heroes.