Here are some of the many things that the great teachers in my life have taught me. Education is process of translating what is written in books into a way of life. Education is not a series of schools one attends but rather a manner of thinking about the world and a way of living in the world. Every human being has gifts to offer the world; teachers are the people who help us look into ourselves to discover and develop our talents. Finally, the words of wisdom that I keep closest to my heart as I move through my day as a principal are these:

"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." ~ Bahá’u’lláh

Thus, on this Teachers’ Day, I think of all of the amazing teachers in my past, but I am also very grateful for all of the dedicated teachers in my life now working with me at Beijing Foreign Studies University International Curriculum Centre. A school is a learning community where each member helps teach the others. As the old Chinese saying goes: when three walk together, there is a teacher.

每年的教师节，我都会想起在我的生命中帮助过我的优秀人士。我出生在一个国际教育世家。我的父母都是出色的教育工作者。我的母亲是一名英语教师，我的父亲也同样是一名教育学教授。我的外祖母是一所小型学院的室内设计教师也在她的学科领域享有著作。我的曾祖母也是一名幼儿园音乐教师，她曾在社区活动中表演钢琴。我作为家中的第四代人，成为了北京外国语大学国际课程中心学术校长，所以，我认为现在的自己是站在了祖先的肩膀上走在他们为我铺好的道路上。

除此之外，在我的生命中还出现了许多优秀的恩师，他们影响和鼓励了我。还记得在我的小学阶段，Mooney 女士用爱和尊重帮助我去融入了新的成长环境，我融入了学校的集体，找到了朋友。在高中阶段，Clement 女士特别耐心地教授我化学知识，尽管当时的我还很难理解化学反应。在大学阶段，Saari博士教授了我很多广博的中国历史和文化，这些激励了我选择在成年后选择在中国工作和生活。最后，在我就读博士阶段，Dr. Kitalong支持着我去做课题研究和论文写作，进而推动了我完成了博士学位。

以下是我生命中那些伟大的老师们教会我的一些事情，在此希望与大家分享。教育是把书上的知识转化为生活方式的过程。教育不是学校，而是一种思考世界的方式和生活方式。每个人都有奉献给世界的礼物；教师是帮助我们审视自己，发现和发展我们才能的人。最后，分享一句我认为很有智慧且让我很有感触的话：

“人就好比富矿，隐含无价珍宝。唯教育能掘而显之，使人类从中获益。”  
~ 巴哈欧拉

因此，在今年这个教师节，我想起了自己遇到过的所有优秀的老师们，但我也非常感谢与我一起在北京外国语大学国际课程中心工作的老师们。学校是一个学习社区，每个成员都在这里相互帮助、相互学习。正如中国有句老话：三人行必有我师。

在策划本次选题之际，我们也有幸收到了三位深圳地区国际学校校长对今天教育者的寄语与祝福，籍此教师节之际，向所有教育从业者问好。

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深圳蛇口国际学校

Greg Smith 校长

In my life I have been fortunate to be inspired by many great teachers. They have encouraged me when I faced challenges, inspired me when I needed to dream, supported me when I needed to grow, and celebrated with me when I achieved something new.

Great teachers have known how much to give and how much to hold back.They have known when to push and when to rest, and they have always believed in my capacity to learn new things.

As the Head of School at SIS I continue to learn from great teachers and appreciate how skilled my colleagues must be. Today our teachers must be adept at using technology wisely, and understand that they are more successful when they work in teams and with parents. More than ever, the world needs teachers who understand that they teach young people, not a subject or content.

Our world will always need teachers who can build the problem solvers and the creative, curious and passionate leaders of tomorrow.