TEACHING: A LIFELONG ACT OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP TEACHING: A LIFELONG ACT OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP In the spirit of Rotary, where Service Above Self" is more than just a motto, we must recognize teaching as one of the most profound expressions of service. It is a noble profession, not merely because it imparts knowledge, but because it shapes character, nurtures values, and lays the foundation for a better future person by person, generation after generation Teachers are, in many ways, silent architects of society. Beyond textbooks and exams, they mould lives instiling integrity, discipline, empathy, and resilience. They correct what may hinder growth and encourage what uplifts. In doing so, they contribute to peace and progress in the most meaningful way. But teaching is also a delicate craft. Like Rotary leadership, it demands more than skill it calls for character. A great teacher, like a great Rotarian, must lead by example. Knowledge is vital, but it is the teacher's actions, values, and everyday choices that leave a lasting imprint on young minds. It's who they are, more than what they say, that resonates. Teaching, at times, is a difficult road. It challenges one to rise above anger, impatience, and ego. It demands constant self-awareness and personal growth not unlike the journey of any true Rotarian striving to live the Four-Way Test. And perhaps the greatest challenge of all: to treat every student with compassion and care, no matter their background or behavior. But teaching isn't confined to classrooms. In truth, we are all teachers. Whether we: realize it or not, we influence others through our words, our actions, and our choices. In our communities, in our clubs, in our families we teach every day, So the question is not if we teach, but what we teach through our lives Let us, as Rotarians and as cilizens, strive to ensure that what we pass on is good, inspiring, and worthy of those who look up to us