You’ve probably heard it a hundred times: “If you can, do; if you can’t, teach.
It’s a lazy, ignorant saying that completely misses the point. Likely born from outdated workplace attitudes in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it reduces teaching to a consolation prize. The truth? Teachers shape the people who go on to do extraordinary things. They inspire, guide, challenge, and sometimes even save careers before they’ve begun.
“Teaching isn’t a fallback; it’s a launching pad for greatness.”
Countless actors, musicians, athletes, doctors, politicians, and innovators openly credit their teachers for helping them reach their dreams. Let’s look at some stories that prove just how wrong this cliché is.
Drama: The Boy Who Shone in Adolescence
Owen Cooper, the boy who recently won acclaim for his performance in Adolescence had talent — but raw talent alone couldn’t have earned him that award. His drama teacher played a pivotal role.
“She didn’t just teach me lines; she taught me confidence, empathy, and emotional depth,” he says.
In one rehearsal, when he struggled to convey despair convincingly, she guided him through exercises connecting the emotion to his own experiences. That mentorship didn’t just earn him a trophy — it built life skills that will stay with him forever.
Sports: Serena Williams and the Power of Mentorship
Great athletes often speak of coaches as mentors who go beyond teaching technique. Serena Williams credits her father, Richard Williams, and early coaches for instilling discipline, focus, and resilience.
Her early training was gruelling. Long hours, repeated drills, and intense competition tested not only her body but her spirit. Her coaches’ encouragement helped her navigate these challenges, showing her that success in sports — and life — depends on mindset as much as skill.
“The lessons I learned from my coaches didn’t just make me a better player — they shaped who I am.”
Music: Lang Lang’s First Piano Teacher
Lang Lang, the world-renowned pianist, often recounts the influence of his first piano teacher. Beyond technical skill, this teacher inspired a love for music and a lifelong passion.
“He believed in me before I believed in myself,” Lang Lang recalls.
In a pivotal moment, he was encouraged to perform a challenging piece at a small concert. Nervous and unsure, he succeeded — and discovered the confidence to pursue music at the highest level. Teachers like this shape not just talent but identity.
Medicine: Dr. Atul Gawande’s Early Inspiration
Dr. Atul Gawande, celebrated surgeon and author, credits a high school teacher with sparking his curiosity about biology and human physiology.
“He didn’t just teach science; he taught me how to think.”
This teacher challenged students to explore, question, and think critically. For Gawande, that guidance became the foundation for a career in surgery and public health innovation. Mentorship can plant a spark that lasts a lifetime.
Politics: Barack Obama and the Teachers Who Shaped Him
Even leaders rely on teachers. Former U.S. President Barack Obama often references the educators who nurtured his intellectual curiosity, writing, and critical thinking.
From elementary school teachers encouraging him to read widely to high school mentors challenging his ideas, these educators shaped his understanding of leadership, ethics, and public service.
“A teacher once told me, ‘The world needs your ideas. Don’t be afraid to share them.’ That stuck with me.”
Unsung Heroes: Teachers Making a Difference Every Day
Not all influential teachers gain fame. A colleague of mine, Mary Hill, a science teacher at the school where I started my career, guided a struggling student who later became a leading climate scientist. Her approach can be summarised as follows –
“I don’t just teach chemistry — I teach persistence, problem-solving, and curiosity.”
Mary’s teaching went far beyond formulae. She instilled critical thinking and resilience, demonstrating that teachers quietly build the future.
Closer to home, one parent told me that his son’s chemistry teacher, Peter Drake at QEHS Hexham, was the first person to suggest university was even an option. ‘He never made a fuss,’ the parent said, ‘but he made my lad believe he belonged there.
What All These Teachers Have in Common
Across all these stories, the same qualities emerge: patience, empathy, vision, and adaptability. Great teachers see potential where others see obstacles. They nurture talent, instill confidence, and cultivate a mindset that can transform lives.
“Teachers are the unseen architects of success.”
From drama stages to sports courts, concert halls to hospitals, classrooms to political arenas, the influence of a dedicated teacher can be life-changing.
The True Value of Teaching
Teaching is an art. It requires patience, creativity, and emotional intelligence. A teacher must inspire without intimidating, challenge without discouraging, and lead without controlling. They celebrate success, navigate failure, and transform setbacks into lessons.
Next time someone repeats that tired phrase, “If you can, do; if you can’t, teach,” remember the countless stories proving just how wrong — and damaging — that phrase is.
Teaching is not a fallback — it is the foundation upon which dreams are built.
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