Teachers have a very important role to play in society, and six in ten parents still remember their childhood teachers. A new survey of 2,000 American parents with children below 18 has shown that three-quarters of parents credit their teachers for impacting their lives positively. 

Teachers lauded for their impact in shaping students’ lives

Some of the biggest life lessons parents credited their teachers to include being a better person (58%), influencing their hobbies (55%), and being role models (51%). 

Learning new subjects (56%), meeting new friends (55%), and developing creativity (53%) are what respondents recalled most about their childhood school experience. Additionally, nearly 50% of parents cite playing their preferred game and having teachers take the time to get to know them as a few of their fondest school memories. This could be why 73% believe they learnt more social and life skills in their early school year than in later stages.

Conducted by One Poll for Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care system, the survey revealed that teachers are very instrumental in influencing students’ lives. Around 73% of the respondents confessed that were it not for their teachers, they won’t be who they are today. Additionally, around 68% of the parents say they had a favourite teacher when they were in school, with 60% admitting that they are still in touch with many former teachers. 

Parents have favourite teachers who helped them and influenced their careers

Many had favourite teachers for various reasons, including the teacher taking time to help them, influencing the career they chose, and giving them extra help. So it’s no surprise that most parents keep in touch with their preschool (54%) and elementary school (58%) teachers. The reason behind keeping in touch is to know how they are doing, keep them up to date about their lives and show appreciation.  

The study findings reveal how instrumental teachers are to students’ daily lives. Moreover, the influence goes beyond the classroom environment to help children develop soft skills that can help them later in life.