The Best Teacher I Never Wanted
Reflecting on the ones who shaped us (and helping students do the same!)
We all had one. That one teacher. The one who believed in us before we believed in ourselves. Or, the one who pushed us so hard it broke something—and we had to rebuild it on our own.
For me, that teacher was Mrs. Jansen van Vuuren. My high school English teacher in Krugersdorp, South Africa. She was a sharp woman, strict, and unapologetically tough. She was the kind of teacher that students feared, and parents respected.
She had high expectations, especially when it came to speaking. Shakespeare. Poetry. Public speeches. No shortcuts, no mercy, no excuses. I remember standing in front of the class, paper in hand, frozen with panic. I asked her, “What’s the first word again?”
She looked down, then up at me, and said plainly:
“The.”
That was it. I broke down in front of the class. The stutter I developed lasted the rest of the year.
I failed that term. She called me out publicly, told me I’d never amount to anything.
And yet—I did.
I moved countries. I learned. I taught myself to speak confidently again. Today, I write, teach, and present in English. It’s the language I once feared, and now I use it to help others find their voice.
So what did she teach me, really?
That teachers hold immense power. The power to lift someone—or leave them to climb on their own. And sometimes, it’s in overcoming that challenge that we discover just how strong we are.
What Does This Have to Do With Today’s Students?
When we talk about student motivation, emotional resilience, or confidence, we often focus on the present. But every student carries their own story—just like we do. Some of them are already forming ideas about who they are and what they’re capable of, based on how they’re treated at school.
And that’s where reflection becomes a powerful teaching tool.
What if we started the school year with this question:
Who is the best teacher you’ve ever had—and why?
It’s simple, but it opens the door to deeper conversations about trust, belonging, voice, and identity.
Stephanie Howell from SchoolAI talks about this in her work on student motivation. In this short clip, she emphasizes how tapping into student voice—through choice, relevance, and real connection—can change the whole learning experience. When students feel seen and heard, they’re more likely to stay engaged and feel safe enough to grow.
Making Space for Student Voice
At Kai’s Education, we see this every day—especially through tools like KaiBot, which gives students a playful, creative space to explore not only STEM skills but also their emotional insight. They code their feelings. Express how they’re doing. Navigate challenge and success through a robot that responds to them in real-time.
It’s not just about learning to code. It’s about helping students reflect on their experiences, their confidence, and their growth in small, consistent ways.
Additionally, we work extra hard to ensure that this all aligns with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles—giving every student more than one way to engage, express, and succeed.
Invite Reflection. Invite Change.
This week, ask your students:
- Who is the best teacher you’ve ever had?
- What made them great—or unforgettable?
- What did they teach you about yourself?
And while you’re at it, ask yourself the same questions.
These stories shape us. They define the kind of educators we want to be—and the kind of classroom culture we want to build.
Want to share your story?
We’re collecting reflections from educators around the world. The good, the bad, the unexpectedly powerful.
Email us at [email protected] or tag us on LinkedIn using #TheBestTeacherIveEverHad
Let’s reflect on the teachers who made us—and help the next generation write their own story, one lesson at a time. Make sure to follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, or connect with our vibrant educator and parent community on Discord and Facebook Groups!
