Inspiring teachers were born from those who once inspired them.

Every educator carries within them someone who once sparked their desire to teach. In the stories of those who are now agents of transformation in the classroom, there is a common thread: the inspiration received during their student days transforms, over the years, into inspiration offered to new generations. On this October 15th, Teacher's Day, we celebrate them.

"This is a symbolic day, a day to pay rightful tribute to those who face the challenging and passionate mission of teaching. We have the privilege of being, as a Community University, a breeding ground for excellent professionals dedicated to the craft of sharing knowledge. They are the ones who help us in our mission to transform lives and change scenarios," emphasizes the licensed rector and State Secretary of Education, Luciane Bisognin Ceretta.

For the acting rector, Gisele Coelho Lopes, highlighting the importance of the teacher is to acknowledge that every journey begins with someone who believed in a student's potential. "Each teacher at Unesc leaves marks that go far beyond the classroom. It is in the attentive gaze, the words of encouragement, and the daily example that the professionals and citizens we bring to society are born. Celebrating our educators is celebrating the inspiration they awaken, which remains alive in every person who passes through our University. The mark that a teacher leaves in a student's history lasts a lifetime. You may stop practicing the profession, but the presence of those you echo in the lives of students lasts forever," she highlights.

Masters who lit the way

For Professor Adriane Bandeira Medeiros, the choice of teaching was born during her undergraduate studies, inspired by great masters who showed her the importance of teaching with knowledge, responsibility, and joy. It was by observing these educators that she found her own path.

Professor Nerilza Volpato Beltrame Alberton believes that a good teacher embodies three essential aspects: methodology, consistent content, and a close relationship with students. When she thinks of inspiration, she recalls Professor Antônio Veiga, who helped her implement and create the Psychology course project at Unesc and who, according to her, had the ability to enchant the class with knowledge. "We could perceive in his speech the love for knowledge, for the student, and for the relationship between the student and knowledge," she remembers.

The inspiration of Professor Alex Sander da Silva began early and at home. His mother dreamed of being a teacher but could not continue her studies because she lived far from school. Years later, already in the classroom, another female figure left her mark: the literacy teacher Lucelange, in Araranguá, from whom he cherishes the memory of attention, care, and genuine concern for each child to truly learn. According to Alex, she was very important in his journey.

Professor Matheus Leandro Ferreira also had educators throughout his training who marked him not only by what they knew but by how they saw and treated students. According to him, those who inspire the most are those who go beyond content, spark curiosity, believe in each one's potential, and perceive abilities that even the student themselves cannot see. Today, he carries these masters in the way he teaches, converses, and encourages. "We may forget content, but we hardly forget the teachers who made all the difference in our lives," he states.

Teaching is a gesture that multiplies

If in the past they were inspired, today these educators take on the role of inspiring. Adriane expresses great happiness for the profession she chose, especially for contributing to the training of new professionals who act with ethics, responsibility, and commitment to justice. "Teaching is very rewarding," she summarizes.

At Unesc for 39 years, Nerilza defines her work by her commitment to teaching and her warmth, something that the students themselves make a point of recognizing. "I really love what I do. This is my home," she says. For her, learning is a two-way street, where both student and educator grow together. "Those who learn are not only the students; the teacher learns too. The construction of a human being happens in this exchange," she reflects.

Alex sees teaching as an ethical commitment and a matter of citizenship, especially as he works in the training of new teachers. According to him, the intention is to motivate, serve as inspiration, and remain steadfast in the mission of forming citizens.

Much more than training professionals

With over a decade in the classroom, Matheus considers the profession a huge responsibility and one of the greatest privileges of his life. During this time, he has witnessed the transformation of many young people who arrived full of doubts and insecurities and are now excellent professionals, with careers and families built. Among the greatest rewards, he says, is meeting a former student years later and realizing he was part of that story.

For the educator, the commitment goes beyond the world of work and reaches the formation of better human beings, capable of thinking critically, respecting differences, acting ethically, and understanding the responsibility they have towards society. "Teaching technology is important, but teaching someone to believe in themselves, to not give up in the face of difficulties, and to realize that they can transform their own reality is something much greater," he emphasizes.

Like his colleagues, Matheus recognizes that he also learns from the students, and it is this exchange that motivates him to continue in his career. "If I can do for some student what my teachers did for me in the past, I will feel that my mission as an educator is being fulfilled," he concludes.

Your story can begin with a great teacher

Those who dream of experiencing learning from educators who inspire, challenge, and believe in the potential of each student can now secure a spot at Unesc, which is open for enrollment for 2027. There are over 60 undergraduate programs available, both in-person and online, with qualified faculty ready to support every step of this journey, as well as various admission options, scholarships, and student financing programs. Information about courses and selection processes is available on the website unesc.net or via WhatsApp at (48) 99915-0433.