I was a teacher once.

Hear the quiet but profound words of Nita Ambani, spoken not with grandeur but with humility: “I was a teacher once.” Though brief, these words shine with the weight of memory and the sacredness of a calling. For to say one was a teacher is not to speak of an occupation only, but of a life devoted to shaping minds, nurturing hearts, and sowing seeds that will grow long after the sower has departed. In this simple confession lies the story of a journey that begins in service and blossoms into leadership, yet never forgets its roots in the classroom.

The origin of the saying is found in Ambani’s own life, before she became known as a philanthropist and leader of great institutions. She began as a teacher, guiding young children in their earliest steps of learning. To some, this may seem small compared to her later influence, but in truth it reveals the foundation of all her later endeavors. For those who have once taught never cease to carry the spirit of teaching with them. They understand that to lead is not to command but to guide, to inspire, to awaken.

The meaning of her words stretches beyond her own life. Throughout history, many who shaped nations and cultures began as teachers. Confucius, who instructed a small circle of students, became the moral compass of a civilization. Socrates, walking the streets of Athens with nothing but questions, laid the groundwork for Western philosophy. Even Nelson Mandela, before becoming a symbol of liberation, taught in schools, believing that education was the key to freedom. Their later greatness was rooted in the humility and discipline of the classroom.

To say, “I was a teacher once”, is therefore to acknowledge that the power of teaching is eternal. The lessons given to a child ripple outward into families, communities, and generations. A teacher does not build monuments of stone, but monuments of spirit. Though Ambani’s life took her far beyond the classroom, she recognizes that the spirit of teaching — patience, compassion, the ability to see potential in others — remained the source of her strength.

The truth carried in her words is also deeply emotional: the role of teacher is often forgotten or underestimated in societies that honor wealth and power. Yet here is a reminder that even those who rise to prominence may look back to teaching as their proudest and most meaningful role. It is a statement of humility, but also of reverence, for she does not say “I was only a teacher” but simply “I was a teacher once”, as if the identity itself is honor enough.

The lesson for us is clear: never underestimate the value of teaching, whether in formal classrooms or in the daily exchanges of life. You may be a parent, a mentor, a leader, or a friend — in all these roles you are a teacher once you guide, inspire, and shape others. And never forget your beginnings, for it is in those small acts of service that the foundations of greatness are laid.

Therefore, take these practical actions: If you are a teacher, cherish your work, for you are shaping futures in ways unseen. If you are not a teacher by profession, still live as one by sharing wisdom, kindness, and example. Honor those who taught you, remembering that their words live on in your actions. And when you rise to positions of influence, do not despise humble beginnings, but carry them proudly, as Ambani does, saying, “I was a teacher once.”

So let these words echo in your heart. To teach, even once, is to have touched eternity, for knowledge and love passed from one soul to another never die. Let us then live as teachers in spirit, knowing that in every moment, with every word, we may be shaping the destiny of another. And in this truth, there is no greater title than this: teacher.