Don’t Withdraw Our Teachers to the Corner

The People Who Teach Us in Everyday Life Deserve Their Flowers Too

At SkillHer, we often talk about growth, empowerment, mentorship, leadership, and community. But behind every woman learning a skill, finding her voice, stepping into leadership, or navigating a difficult season, there is usually someone who taught her something along the way.

Not always in a classroom.

Not always with a whiteboard.

Sometimes it is a mentor, a friend, a colleague, a community leader, a facilitator, or simply someone who chose to guide another person with patience and kindness.

These are teachers too.

Teaching Exists Beyond the Classroom

Some people teach through formal education.

Others teach through conversation, correction, support, encouragement, exposure, and lived experience.

There are people who:

* Shared opportunities with us

* Guided us through difficult seasons

* Helped us build confidence

* Introduced us to skills we now benefit from

* Corrected us with patience and sometimes harshness 

* Taught us how to navigate work, leadership, life, and growth

Many of the things we know today were learned because someone chose not to withhold knowledge.

 The Emotional Labour of Being “The One People Come To”

In every community, there are people constantly pouring into others:

* Mentoring

* Advising

* Teaching

* Encouraging

* Sharing opportunities

* Helping others grow

People celebrate the outcomes but often forget the people doing the pouring.

The truth is, constantly showing up for others can become exhausting when there is little support, appreciation, or community in return.

Many “teachers” quietly experience burnout too.

Why This Matters to SkillHer

At SkillHer, community has always been at the centre of what we do.

Our programs, sessions, and opportunities thrive because people are willing to teach, guide, support, mentor, and share knowledge freely. Real empowerment is not built through competition and gatekeeping. It grows through shared knowledge and people helping others rise.

And the people doing that work deserve to be appreciated too.

Give People Their Flowers While They’re Here

We need to become more intentional about acknowledging the people who have contributed to our growth.

The ones who answered the questions they did not have to answer.

The ones who shared knowledge freely.

The ones who encouraged us when we doubted ourselves.

The ones who quietly helped shape who we are becoming.

Not every teacher stands in front of a classroom.

Some simply stand beside us during important seasons of our lives.

So here is the reminder:

Do not withdraw your teachers to the corner.

Celebrate them.

Check on them.

Support them.

Acknowledge their impact.

Because behind every thriving person is usually someone who took the time to teach them something valuable.