Most of us remember our teachers. One or two might slip the1, but even the most unimportant ones have some2on us. Then there are those who remain guides for life. For me there was Dr Wylie—his unusual ways threw new3on maths. And my English teacher, Dr Parry, 4my science and maths-focused brain to the joys of literature. I didn't realize it at the time, but those two5shaped my future.

As a journalist I 6 major events, but I cared only shallowly. Now as a teacher, I communicate with just a group of teenagers, but I care 7: those struggling to make friends, those 8in with the wrong crowd or those doing brilliantly. I have made them 9poems by heart and we are going to be listening to classical music. 10, I am trying to build up their cultural capital, to broaden their eyes and to 11 them to worlds beyond their own.

I've found that most people don't think of teaching as being quite as12as writing for newspapers. Tell people you are a journalist, and at least some will13it interesting. 14 you tell someone you are a teacher, you can see memories of their school days 15 back, and fear flash in their eyes. So teaching isn't for the faint-hearted (胆怯的). It can be 16work—but is there anything worthwhile in life that isn't? Some classes can be 17 at times. But don't believe how terrible and self-centred teenagers are. They are 18and full of potential. It is my job—and my19pleasure—to help them achieve it and to give them the solid20that will let them blossom.