Who is your favourite teacher? 

In this episode, I reflect on the teachers, both inside and outside the classroom, who leave a lasting mark on our lives. From the way they show up in small, everyday moments to the ripple effect their influence carries forward, we’ll explore what makes a teacher unforgettable and how their lessons live on in us.

When you listen, I invite you to think about the people who’ve shaped your learning journey, the ones whose presence you still carry, and the ways their impact might be showing up in how you teach, lead, or support others today.

Listen in as we talk about:

• 02:27 My own favourite teacher (Mrs. Hoglund)
• 05:57 The ripple effect of a great teacher
• 07:23 A moment of reflection 
• 08:05 What makes a teacher great? 
• 09:15 Small moments that matter
• 11:15 The heart of great teachers
• 12:43 Stories from The People Teaching People Podcast
• 15:18 A small challenge
• 16:34 Bringing it full circle

Connect with Tiana:

• Website: https://tianafech.com
• LinkedIn: Tiana Fech
• Instagram: @tianafech 
• Facebook: @tianafech 
• Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course 

When I think about my favourite teacher, Mrs. Hoglund, it’s not the lessons I remember but the way she made me feel – safe, welcomed, and excited to learn. That kind of environment stayed with me through school and shaped my decision to become an educator myself. Years later, reconnecting with her was such a gift; she remembered details not just about me, but about my whole family, showing the deep care she carried for her students. Her impact reminds me that the best teachers aren’t defined by what they teach but by how they show up – through kindness, connection, and creating spaces where people feel seen. The real legacy of a teacher isn’t the content, but the connection that lasts long after the classroom.

“We don’t always realize it in the moment, but when someone teaches us with heart, that moment doesn’t end. It expands. It lives on in the way we show up for others.”

The influence of a great teacher, whether that’s a coach, mentor, parent, colleague, or classroom teacher, doesn’t stop in the moment. Their encouragement and belief in us become part of how we move through the world. The way they make us feel safe, supported, and seen often becomes a model for how we show up for others, from the words we share with our kids to the way we lead teams or nurture friendships. And – the most powerful part is the ripple effect: when someone teaches with heart, their impact stretches far beyond that single interaction. Great teachers, wherever we find them, plant seeds that keep growing, shaping not just us, but others we touch.

Take a moment to think about a favourite teacher in your life. Maybe it was someone from a classroom, but it could just as easily have been a coach, a mentor at work, a professor, or even a family member who taught you something that still stays with you today. What was it about them that made their influence so meaningful? When we pause to reflect on the people who shaped us – not just with their knowledge, but with their care and presence – we not only celebrate their impact, we also uncover the qualities we hope to bring forward in how we teach, lead, and show up for others. Remembering our teachers helps us become the kind of teacher someone else will one day remember.

When we think about what makes a teacher unforgettable, it’s rarely their polished slides or the perfect lesson plan. It’s their presence. Great teachers show up with consistency, create spaces where we feel safe to be ourselves, ask questions that spark curiosity, and believe in us before we believe in ourselves. They bring humour, humility, and humanity into the mix, reminding us that learning is as much about connection as it is about content. What makes them great isn’t perfection, but the way they make us feel seen, supported, and capable.

“Sometimes, the smallest interactions are the ones that leave the longest imprint.”

When we look closer at who our favourite teachers are and why – it’s often not the big gestures that stay with us, but the small, everyday ones. The quick smile in the hallway. The laugh after a tech mishap. The way they noticed when something was off and simply asked, “Are you okay?” These weren’t planned or scripted, but they carried so much weight because they told us we mattered. Over time, these ordinary moments become extraordinary in memory – shaping how we see ourselves and how we choose to show up for others.

“When I think about the heart of great teachers, I think about the way they make us feel known. Not just as learners, but as people.”

At the core of every great teacher is something far deeper than knowledge. It’s their humanity. The way they show up with empathy, notice when someone is struggling or thriving, and offer encouragement that feels genuine. They model curiosity and values, not by pretending to have all the answers, but by creating space for questions, mistakes, and growth. Great teachers aren’t just teaching; they’re learning alongside us, showing quiet courage in how they believe in others, even before we believe in ourselves. In the end, what we remember most isn’t the lessons or the grades. It’s the way they made us feel truly known, not just as learners, but as people. And – that is the legacy we carry forward.

Across my podcast conversations, a common thread keeps emerging: the teachers who leave a lasting impact do so through presence, trust, and the way they see us. Jill Drader’s high school psychology teacher opened doors to self-reflection and metaphysics, shaping Jill’s worldview and career. Nikki Stasiuk’s karate sensei pushed her to her limits, teaching resilience and determination that fuel her entrepreneurial journey. And – Susanne Fox’s mentor gave her a moment of trust and confidence that still guides her today. While each story is unique, they all show the same truth: the most meaningful teaching moments aren’t just about content. They stay with us, shaping how we think, lead, and grow. The takeaway is clear: the lessons that linger are the ones taught with care, belief, and presence.

Here’s a small but powerful challenge: reach out to a teacher, mentor, coach, or guide who’s stayed with you and let them know the difference they made. Go beyond a simple “thank you” and share what you remember, what stuck with you, and how they shaped who you are today. And – as you continue your own learning journey, take a moment to acknowledge anyone new who inspires or supports you. It matters more than we often realize. For those teaching or guiding others, remember that people may not recall every lesson you give, but they will remember how you made them feel. The impact of showing up with care and presence can last a lifetime.

Learning is often measured by what we know or what we pass on, but the most powerful teaching is the kind that touches who we are. Take a moment to reflect: how do you want others to feel when they’re learning with you? What kind of experience – safe, exciting, human – do you want to create? And whose lessons are still shaping the way you show up for others? Those teachers continue to influence us long after the moment has passed. Every interaction is an opportunity to be someone’s unforgettable teacher, even if you don’t hear it aloud.