If you think back to the time when you were in school, it is likely that you remember some teachers who really left an impression on you. Some of them may even have done so physically but that’s not really what we’re talking about. We’re talking about teachers that influenced our lives and even though we may not have been in the classroom for years, we still remember the efforts that they put forth to make us decent adults. At times, we would like nothing better than to go back in time and let them know exactly how much their efforts meant to us.
At the boys’ school shown in the video below, you get to see how an entire student body reacts to a teacher that is retiring. They don’t walk up one by one to give a speech or to shake their hand, they all stand in unison at an assembly and perform a moving Haka that is quite impressive to witness. Everyone in the audience that day was putting 100% of their effort and emotion into the Haka and you can see it in their gestures, their moves and even in the expressions on their faces. It is a moving demonstration of just how much they appreciate the efforts that the teacher put in to helping them in their studies and in life.
The Haka is a very interesting way to express how you feel. In some parts of the world, it is not necessarily done on a regular basis but in other parts of the world, it is regularly part of sporting events and in culture, including in some weddings. It’s a type of war dance that was used on the battlefield in the traditional sense but it had to do with strength and unity. Perhaps that is why these students decided to perform it for their teacher.
When we retire, we hope that we will be remembered for our efforts and what we left behind. Most people get a gold watch or perhaps a bonus but what this retiring teacher got will stay with him for a lifetime.