Learning is fundamental

We all know the term teacher’s pet. It’s usually tossed around to describe a student who seems especially favored by the teacher. Sometimes it’s affectionate, sometimes it’s a joke, and sometimes it carries a hint of accusation. But more often than not, the label reveals more about the group than the student. What looks like favoritism is often just enthusiasm. What sounds like teasing is sometimes admiration in disguise.

My love of learning began long before anyone could pin a label on me. It was a value woven into my life by my parents and reinforced by every teacher who opened a door I didn’t yet know existed. As a kid, I devoured everything from James Michener to Spider-Man comics to the full, unabridged versions of Les Misérables and War and Peace. I didn’t read to impress anyone—I read because the world was bigger than I could imagine, and books were the key.

School only deepened that hunger. My art teachers taught me to see. My high school Spanish teacher delighted in my pronunciation. They didn’t just teach subjects; they taught me how to learn, how to stretch, how to stay curious.

Education matters for reasons far beyond grades or degrees. It shapes how we play, collaborate, and build friendships. Some people pursue college, others choose trade schools or apprenticeships. All of these paths are valid. All of them require learning. And while society often frames higher education as a direct pipeline to a job, the truth is more nuanced. A degree isn’t the only route to success—but in fields like law, medicine, or science, it’s essential.

Take journalism. Plenty of great journalists never attended journalism school, but many do. The landscape is shifting rapidly, and technology is reshaping the profession. To thrive, you have to adapt. You have to keep learning.

That’s where the humanities come in. My degree in English Literature wasn’t just about reading novels; it was about understanding people. Literature teaches storytelling, and storytelling teaches humanity. In a world increasingly driven by technology, that grounding matters. It keeps you flexible, empathetic, and able to navigate change.

So if all of that makes me a teacher’s pet, then I’ll wear the title proudly.