We all have a favorite subject in school, right? What about a favorite teacher? It goes without saying we are grateful for all the other teachers out there! Today, we wear blue to celebrate them.

Imparting knowledge and other useful life skills are the duties of teachers. World Teachers’ Day is a time that celebrates educators and all the hard work they do. The Guam Department of Education is doing just that by choosing one person to receive the coveted title of Teacher of the Year.

So, who better to speak with than the reinging recipient, Dr. Benjie Santiago? He shared why this day is so important.

He told KUAM News, "We should always celebrate teachers everyday. It’s very important that we realize that teachers have to accommodate students, accommodate our own personal lives, especially in the midst of the pandemic. We’re faced with tons of challenges and I hope that the powers that may be out there are listening, because sometimes teachers, we feel like we’re taken for granted and sometimes, a little acknowledgement goes a long way."

Just a little more than a month into the new school year, and Dr. Santiago says it's been met with ups and downs. "It’s been a challenge and I’m sure it’s been a challenge for every school teacher on this island, albeit private or public school teacher I’m sure that they face the same challenges just welcoming the students back to school. Some of them have not been in an in-person class for such a while. It’s important that we acknowledge that fact and give them that social-emotional awareness and just welcome them with open arms," he added.

He adds being a teacher includes moments that make the tough times worth it, saying, "One of the students that I hardly recognize because he was my online student two years ago said,'Dr. B, I bet you don’t remember me', and I said, 'I bet I do', and he asked me, 'What’s my name', and I told him his name and he said, 'I’m so surprised that you remember my name, but I have to tell you that even though it was an online class, I learned the most from your class!'

"And those types of comments from students really reach the heart, hear and soul and it helps us to realize that. This is the purpose of being teachers."

Fun fact: Dr. Santiago began his teaching career in 1994, which just so happens to be the same year the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization launched this very special day.

Whether it's an apple or a thank you, don’t forget to wish your teacher a Happy World Teachers’ Day!