From the ages of five to 18, a teacher plays a pivotal role in a child’s life.

What many people don’t realise is that a teacher is not just a teacher. They’re an educator, a councillor, a parent, a nurse, and a safe space for children all the way through to their adult lives.

This year, in honour of World Teacher Day, The Greek Herald decided to speak with two teachers from the Greek community to ask them what they love about teaching and how they decided it was the career for them.

Vasilios Aligiannis

Vasilios Aligiannis is a teacher at a public high school in Sydney, and currently holds the position of head of HSIE. As a teacher in public education for the last 28 years, Vasilios revealed that his desire to teach came from his deep interest in historical events, cultures, and people when he was younger.

“The opportunity to explore the stories of the past and share that knowledge with others was and is a powerful motivation,” Vasilios told The Greek Herald.

“I am and always have been driven by a genuine love of learning and the desire to share knowledge with others.

“Making a difference in students’ lives has also been a strong motivating factor, given the opportunity to positively impact students by inspiring and supporting them on their educational journey.”

The Greek Australian educator also shared what he loves most about teaching.

“Teaching is more than just imparting knowledge; it’s about sparking curiosity, inspiring minds, and helping students discover their potential,” Vasilios said.

“I love the moment when a student’s face lights up because they’ve understood something new, or when they begin to see the world from a different perspective because of a lesson or conversation we’ve had. That transformation, no matter how small, is incredibly powerful.

“I also love the human connection that comes with teaching. The classroom becomes a space where trust and understanding are built, where I can support and guide students through challenges both academic and personal. Watching them grow, not just in their knowledge but in their confidence, resilience, and empathy, is deeply rewarding.”

Vasilios said teachers help shape not just academic growth, but also personal development for students, “teaching values like resilience, empathy, and integrity, which are crucial for success in life”.

“For many students, school represents a safe haven, a place where they can find support and encouragement,” he said.

“They help students make sense of the world, guiding them through both academic challenges and life’s uncertainties, and ultimately shaping the leaders and thinkers of tomorrow.”

Olga Theodoridou

Olga Theodoridou is a Greek teacher and childcare worker who moved from Lesvos, Greece, to Australia in 2017 and commenced her teaching career. For the last seven years, she has been working as a language teacher at Pedia Greek School in Melbourne, where she teaches primary school students on Monday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

“We learn the Greek language, we learn about grammar and Greek mythology,” Olga told The Greek Herald.

“We learn not only about words and how to speak, but how to write and read, as well as teach them about our culture and traditions and what we celebrate throughout the year.”

When speaking with The Greek Herald, Olga shared what inspired her to pursue her profession.

“For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be around kids,” she said.

“When I was in grade nine, I remember during the summer I told my mother that I wanted to find a job, and then she asked me, ‘why, what kind of job?’ I told her that I want to take care of children and teach them different things, as I loved being surrounded by them.

“I chose to become a teacher because I wanted to see the children learn, develop, and become better. I also wanted to be a part of the learning process too, so I can watch them use what I have taught them and then feel proud at the end when they finish their schooling.”

The Melbourne Greek teacher added that she loves teaching because she gets to see her her students “gain new knowledge, learn the language and learn about the culture, while boosting their imagination and creativity.”

“I love building relationships with them, finding new activities and games to keep them happy and learn at the same time,” Olga said.

“Teachers are pillars of knowledge who are shaping the future of the kids. They are educators, mentors, inspirations and guides, because they encourage, lead and leave a lasting mark on every child’s life.”

Olga said as teaching is so vital, she hopes to encourage more people to pursue it in the future.

“The first and most important thing is that you love kids if you want to become a teacher,” she said. “You can’t just look at it as a job to earn some money, you have to love what you’re doing.”