<B>Colin Taylor</B> <I>Chief Executive of Taylor Smith Group</I>

?My schooling started at Loreto Vacoas, followed by St Esprit College, and I eventually moved to a boarding school in England at the age of 14. Perhaps, it would be unfair to focus on only one teacher as an outstanding one. In fact, there were a few teachers whom I enjoyed learning from. One was my physics teacher, Raymond Rivet. He was nicknamed ?Boulon? among students. I was fascinated by all the things he explained to us and he managed to light up my interest in learning about the basic principles of physics which later influenced me to choose engineering at University.

But the teacher who instilled discipline in us and pushed us to our limits was Michael Glover, our PE teacher. As a kid, I suffered from asthma, but I loved sports. Consequently, Michael Glover would motivate me to always do my best even if it was hard for me. Ever since then, I?ve always tried my best in everything I do; in French, I think it?s called: ?Le goût de l?effort?.

Looking back, I realize that he was always attentive to any problem we had and would go the extra mile by giving us advice. In that respect, he took a personal interest which was great, as he would often ask questions with care and compassion. He showed concern whenever we would express our difficulties. But most importantly, he would treat us with respect. And vice versa, the students returned this respect, so much so that I believe he was one of the most respected teachers within the college. Often students would talk about their teachers? behind their backs, but this was not the case for Michael Glover. I guess pupils felt an element of fear which emanated from his strong personality and the respect he had earned through his attitude.

Another attribute he had was the fairness he exerted in whatever he did. Moreover, he was extremely generous with his time. He would spend time after school coaching in sports and one day he even agreed to receive a few of us at his house and teach us some soccer skills. So all these little things made the difference. However, Michael Glover knew how to make himself understood since he has always been a great communicator. To be more precise, I would say that he had a very pedagogical approach and the ability to clearly explain what he expected from us and why. To be sincere, he expected a lot from us but in a very positive way. Thus, because we respected and liked him as a person, we wanted to please him in return not to disappoint him. And coming back to the fact that he expected a lot, it was normal coming from him as he was telling us all that we could be winners. He always wanted to win and shared this passion, which can only come from inside. I guess he was one of the main contributors who triggered something in me to push me forward to do my best and try to win in everything I used to do. Therefore, somewhere it?s thanks to the impact he had on me years ago that I have been able to develop my competitive attitude.

But once again, as I said before, I think it?s unfair to focus on only one teacher as they are all good in their own ways and have different roles. So I would like to pay tribute to another teacher I had in England, Father Clarkson. As head of the school, he was strict, on discipline but fair. He knew how to ensure an amalgam between that element of toughness while running the school and being compassionate, listening to the students? issues. Without doubt, at the school of life, the most influential teachers were my parents who not only played a major role in my schooling, helping me with my homework, encouraging me to succeed, but they also shared their core values which have helped model me into who I am today.

When I recall those days, I realise that I used to consider all the people I named as role models and they inspired me to be like them one day. Life is after all a journey where we are shaped according to whom we meet and what values they can make us adhere to.?