Mali‘s slam reminds me of a “random thought” by Louie Schmier that I read many years ago and, obviously, has stayed with me all this time:

I am a teacher. I do far more and far more important things than just instruct in my discipline.

I am a teacher. I am more in the people business than the information business.

I am a teacher. I have a humbling calling, a mission. I have a noble power, an influence, an authority. I have an awesome and heavy responsibility:

I am a teacher: I change the world.
I am a teacher: I cultivate visions.
I am a teacher: I weave dream catchers.
I am a teacher: I influence lives.
I am a teacher: I alter courses.
I am a teacher: I guide spirits.
I am a teacher: I effect the future.
I am a teacher: I save souls.
I am a teacher: I develop minds.
I am a teacher: I touch hearts.
I am a teacher: I make a difference.
I am a teacher: I change things.
I am a teacher. I transform beliefs.
I am a teacher: I perform magic.
I am a teacher: I make art.
I am a teacher: to do all this is within my grasp.
I am a teacher. No day is ordinary. Everyday is different. Everyday, I ordinarily deal caringly and lovingly with the extraordinary, the exotic, the beautiful, the unique, the wonderful, the spectacular, the exciting. Everyday, I deal with another human being called the student.