On Teachers' Day

We are celebrating teachers' day today. It is a small gesture to honour a professional that is vital but often goes unappreciated. In today's society the one factor which has become all important in deciding one's economic and social status is Education. Teachers are an important fulcrum in the Education superstructure. That this structure us far from perfect has often been debated not only in this country but in all countries. However, often in this debate the role of teachers is minimalised. Repeated surveys find teaching at the bottom of list of desirable professions among youth. Notwithstanding this, there is an enormous shortage of suitably trained teachers in the country and the demand - supply gap is only going to grow. 
On the other hand, all adults in a modern society have at some point or the other have to perform the duties of a teacher - whether it us to teach one's own children or to mentor an apprentice at work. In one way or the other, all of us have been or shall be a teacher.
This brings us to an interesting question, what makes a good teacher. While I am not in the teaching profession directly, yet I shall hazard to answer this question. So here is a list of things, in no particular order, that perhaps goes into making a good teacher:
Dedication
Perseverance
Faith in oneself
Faith in the student
Flexibility
Non chalance
Fortitude
Hard work
Discipline

Looks like being a teacher is like being a good human being!