VUB Students Surprise Their Former Teachers on World Teachers' Day

On World Teachers' Day, students from Vrije Universiteit Brussel returned to their former secondary schools to thank their teachers with a box of pralines. The gesture was simple, but the message was profound: an expression of gratitude for the inspiring support they received during their school years.

In conversations with the students, several teachers reflected on what inspires them in their work. For many, the essence lies in interacting with young people: watching them grow, guiding their development, and helping them navigate challenges. “The best part of my job is seeing students discover their strengths and weaknesses, and how they use that to build their futures,” one teacher shared. Another described the satisfaction they get from the bond with their students: “When they proudly show me their work or become more self-assured, I know my efforts have made a difference.”

“When they proudly show me their work or become more self-assured, I know my efforts have made a difference.”
 

The Changing Landscape of Education

While teachers spoke passionately about their profession, it also became clear that the challenges within education have increased. Many pointed out that administrative tasks take up more and more time, leaving less room for the core of their passion: teaching. The rise of digital tools in classrooms was another frequent topic. “Learning from a screen just isn’t the same as holding a book or paper in your hands,” one teacher remarked. “But it does push us to stay creative and keep finding new ways to teach.”

Despite the hurdles, the teachers remain driven to impart something valuable to their students. They often highlighted the importance of perseverance, self-confidence, and the ability to learn from mistakes. “You can’t learn without stumbling every now and then,” one of them emphasised. Another teacher hoped that students would maintain an open and critical outlook on the world: “It’s so important to look at yourself and others without prejudice, and to keep believing in yourself.”

The focus on practical skills in modern education was another key theme that emerged. “Of course, it’s important for students to develop these skills, but without a strong foundation of knowledge and cognitive abilities, like critical thinking and analytical skills, they’ll struggle to apply them,” one teacher observed. At the same time, many stressed that the connection with students remains at the heart of their work: “It’s still our job to motivate them.”

“It’s still our job to motivate them.”

A Grateful Reflection: ‘We’ve Learned So Much from Them’

For the students, this initiative was a chance to express their gratitude and reminisce about their secondary school days. A PhD student in physics spoke of how his teachers’ passion inspired him to pursue his field: “Their support and enthusiasm steered me towards science. I want them to know that their dedication really made a difference.”

Another student shared how her teachers helped her transition to university. “Thanks to my teachers’ guidance, the step to higher education felt like a natural progression. They gave me the confidence to believe I could handle it.”

The teachers themselves were moved by their former students' appreciation. “You often feel appreciation in small gestures—an unexpected ‘thank you’ or a smile when you meet again,” one of them reflected. “It’s a reminder of why we chose this profession.”*
 

*This is a machine translation. We apologise for any inaccuracies.