I Am A Teacher
I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child.
I have been many people in many places.
I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas through the use of questions.
I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller.
I am Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen revealing truth through countless stories.
I am Marva Collins fighting for every child's right to an education.
The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall of fame for humanity...Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses and Jesus.
I am also those whose names and faces have long been forgotten but whose lessons and character will always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students.
I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with glee at the birth of their children and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug too soon for bodies far too young.
Throughout the course of a day I have been called upon to be an actor, friend, nurse and doctor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist, substitute parent, salesman, politician and a keeper of the faith. Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and books, I have really had nothing to teach, for my students really have only themselves to learn, and I know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are.
I am a paradox. I speak loudest when I listen the most. My greatest gifts are in what I am willing to appreciatively receive from my students. Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am a full-time treasure seeker in my quest for new opportunities for my students to use their talents and in my constant search for those talents that sometimes lie buried in self-defeat.
I am the most fortunate of all who labor. A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic moment. I am allowed to see that life is reborn each day with new questions, ideas and friendships. An architect knows that if he builds with care, his structure may stand for centuries. A teacher knows that if he builds with love and truth, what he builds will last forever.
I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy: But I have great allies: Intelligence, Curiosity, Parental Support, Individuality, Creativity, Faith, Love and Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable support. And who do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate to experience, but you the public, the parents. For you have done me the great honor to entrust to me your greatest contribution to eternity, your children.
And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a present that is challenging, adventurous and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future.
I am a teacher...and I thank God for it every day.
我是教师
（美）约翰﹒W﹒苏莱特尔
我是教师。
我的职业诞生于世界上第一个有疑问的孩子提问的那一刻。
在许许多多的地方， 我的形象无比多样：
我是苏格拉底，激励雅典的青年通过质疑探求新的真理；
我是安妮﹒沙利文，把宇宙的秘密放入海伦﹒凯勒的手中和心里；
我是伊索，是安徒生，用一个个奇妙的故事揭示人生的真谛；
我是马尔瓦﹒科林斯，为每一个孩子能享受教育而不懈努力……
我还是这样一些伟大的名字，它们排列起来可以组成一座人类文化的名人堂——布克﹒华盛顿、释迦牟尼、孔子、爱默生、里奥﹒布斯卡利亚、摩西……
有些人的名字和容颜早已被忘却，然而他们的教诲和人格却在学生的成就中得以永存，我同样也是他们。
我在昔日学生的婚礼上欣喜欲涕，为他们的孩子出生开怀大笑，也在那学英年早逝的学生的墓前黯然神伤、心乱如麻。
一天之中，我需要为学生扮演众多的角色：演员、朋友、护士、医生、教练、借款人、出租司机、心理学家、临时父母、售货员、政治家……不过除了地图、表格、公式、词语、故事，我真的没有什么可教，因为孩子们真正需要学习的，只是他们自己，而我知道一个人如果要知道“我是谁”，他就必须理解整个世界。
追求物质财富不是我生活的目标，然而追求却是我永恒的职业。我要创造更多的机会让学生发挥他们的聪明才智，通过不懈的努力，让那些被失败与自卑埋没的才能重新闪耀光华。
在所有的劳动中，我是最幸运的。医生能够经历生命来到世间的奇妙时刻，教师却能看到生命在疑惑、思考和友谊中一天天成长。建筑师知道，如果他精心设计，他的作品能屹立几个世纪；而教师则明白，如果他用爱和真理去教育，他的事业将恒古永存！
我还是一名战士，每天都要与压力、冷漠、恐惧、偏见斗争，所幸我又着伟大的朋友——智慧、信念、个性、好奇心、创造力、爱和笑声，它们是我坚强的后盾。感谢这精彩的生活，它让我有幸经历这一切；感谢所有父母，是你们把自己最伟大的创造——你们的孩子托付给我，而这是我无上的荣耀！
我一路走来，带着无比丰富的记忆；我直面现在，它有着挑战、冒险和乐趣。最重要的是，我能把生命寄托在学生身上，寄托于人类的未来。
我是教师，为此，我每天都心存感激。
※（译自 John Wayne. Schlatter. I Am a Teacher.）
※ 约翰﹒W﹒苏莱特尔（John Wayne. Schlatter）,美国著名教师，从教35年，退休后成为一名作家，是《心灵鸡汤》系列读物的重要作者，本文译者为尤炜。
