Celebrating World Teachers’ Day: Honoring the impact of teachers, with YouTube creators
Oct 04, 2024 – [[read-time]] minute read
Happy World Teachers’ Day! Today, we’re celebrating the amazing impact teachers have on the world, from recognizing the contributions of educators to shining a spotlight on YouTube’s global community of learning creators, who spark curiosity and inspire young people to discover their passions.
YouTube has always been a go-to for enriching content — and learning is no exception. Whether it’s chemistry, chess, or coding, YouTube offers high-quality educational experiences for learners of all ages, powered by world-class creators, including many who are experienced teachers.
94% of teachers surveyed globally have used YouTube in their role as a teacher.
With a vast library covering school subjects and beyond, learning on YouTube can be as engaging as watching a favorite show. YouTube videos are often used by teachers, in and out of the classroom, because creators are inventive and compelling storytellers who bring their subject matter to life and inspire learners to go further with ideas at their own pace.
New data from Ipsos* shows what many educators already know: YouTube is a valuable teaching tool. In fact, 94% of teachers surveyed globally have used YouTube in their role as a teacher. And many would recommend YouTube to parents (76%) and students (79%) to support student learning.
As a parent, and someone who’s worked in the education space for many years, I know firsthand how critical engagement is to learner success and how empowering it is when a student masters a concept that seemed out of reach. It’s my mission to make sure that the time young people spend on YouTube is time well spent. Educational content plays a key role in how we deliver on that mission by helping learners grow and pursue their passions in a way that’s both fun and meaningful.
In honor of our commitment to learning, we want to celebrate World Teachers’ Day by highlighting some incredible educators who are making a difference both in the classroom and on YouTube. We had the chance to talk to five teachers who are also YouTube creators producing engaging, high-quality educational content. They shared stories about the teachers who’ve inspired and influenced the content they create, what keeps them motivated, and how we can all honor the teachers in our lives.
Check out our World Teachers' Day playlist to discover more education creators who are making learning accessible and engaging for millions of young people, every day.
Let’s get into it!
Who is a teacher who inspired you?
Neha Agrawal, India: In school, I had a math teacher who had this incredible way of making even the most complex concepts feel like child’s play. He had a calm, patient demeanor, and instead of rushing through the syllabus, he would pause to ensure that every student understood the lesson. One day, he spent an entire class breaking down a tricky calculus problem step-by-step, turning what felt impossible into something we all could grasp. That experience shaped my belief that clarity, patience, and an approachable teaching style can make all the difference, especially in a subject like math.
Kai Schmidt, Germany: The special thing about being a teacher is that you can accompany young people on their way to adulthood. I had some great teachers when I was at school who always managed to inspire me with topics and content. This also inspired me to consider becoming a teacher. There is a beautiful saying in Germany that fits wonderfully with the teaching profession: “Only those who burn can light a fire in others.” I love my job and do it with great joy, I hope that others and especially my students feel this.
How is the inspiration of a memorable teacher reflected in the way you approach content creation for your YouTube channel, today?
Eddie Woo, Australia: Every time I get up to teach and when I make my videos, I channel my inner Mr. Brown, my Year 7 agriculture teacher! When I'm filming content, I’m not just teaching concepts—I’m speaking directly to my students, many of whom may feel unseen or like they aren’t “good” at mathematics. Like Mr. Brown, I want to make students feel important, and I strive to create an inclusive environment, which I think comes through the camera lens to people who are watching. Whether it’s by simplifying difficult topics or offering words of encouragement, I aim to make every student feel that they are capable and valued.
“ The special thing about being a teacher is that you can accompany young people on their way to adulthood.”
Can you share a story about how your content has positively impacted a young person’s learning journey?
Neha Agrawal, India: Everyday I meet students, most of whom came to the channel by accident, and that one interaction changed their lives. One such student is a cobbler’s son, an honest man who mends shoes, and ended up getting admission into one of the best engineering colleges of Delhi. How I heard this was that I was getting my son's school shoes mended, and the boy was sitting there, holding books in his hand and studying. He is one of the students I am most proud of.
Eddie Woo, Australia: There are so many stories! One that sticks with me is about a student in rural Australia who wrote to me about how she had been struggling with mathematics her entire school life. Many parts of Australia are remote and have trouble finding teachers who are qualified in mathematics. But after discovering my YouTube channel, she began to watch videos at her own pace, pausing and rewinding when needed, and for the first time, the concepts and skills started to click. She shared that, because of the videos, she not only passed her final exams but realized that she actually liked mathematics. The best part? She gained entry into university and has since become a mathematics teacher herself!
Professora Angela Matemática, Brazil: A young woman sent an email saying how much I had helped convince her family to let her study engineering. The family believed that because she was a woman, she would have a lot of difficulty with the calculations, and she, showing my work, which in addition to helping her with her homework, served as an inspiration for her and her family.
“ Whether it’s by simplifying difficult topics or offering words of encouragement, I aim to make every student feel that they are capable and valued.”
As a teacher, why did you get started creating learning content on YouTube?
Eddie Woo, Australia: In 2012, one of my students was diagnosed with cancer and had to miss a lot of school while undergoing treatment. I wanted to find a way to ensure he didn’t fall behind, so I started recording my everyday classroom lessons and uploading them to YouTube. From there, it snowballed. It took me a while but eventually, I realized that these videos could help more than just my own students—they could help anyone with access to the internet who wanted to learn. That’s when I saw the potential of this platform to reach a much larger audience.
How do you approach making subjects engaging and accessible for teens, knowing that you reach students around the world, in and out of the classroom?
Nancy Bullard, U.S.: I regard my YouTube channel as an extension of my classroom. In my classroom, I try to make science as engaging and hands-on as possible. On YouTube, I have the same goal: make science engaging. Most of the content shows experiments I’ve tried with my students. If it works in my classroom, it can work in other classrooms as well. I love hearing from parents, grandparents, homeschool moms, camp counselors, Girl Scout leaders, and more who have tried my activities with the children in their lives.
“ Everyday I meet students, most of whom came to the channel by accident, and that one interaction changed their lives.”
What feedback have you received from your audience that motivates you to keep creating?
Kai Schmidt, Germany: I'm making the world a little bit better with my videos. I particularly like that the videos are accessible to everyone. You don't have to pay any money like you would with tutoring. Anyone can use it.
Professora Angela Matemática, Brazil: I've heard that my classes help many people who have difficulty and even fear of mathematics. I help families to retake and learn the content to teach their children. As a mother, I know how important it is when we can learn something to help our children in what scares them the most.
As a creator and a teacher, what advice do you have for how we can all honor teachers in our lives – today and every day?
Eddie Woo, Australia: I'd encourage everyone to take a moment and reflect on the ways that our teachers have shaped us, not just academically, but as people. Teachers do more than convey information – they instill values, model perseverance, and show us how to think critically about the world. One simple thing that anyone can do is go back to their school and express that gratitude, even if it’s years after you’ve left the classroom. Beyond that, the best way to honor teachers is to continue learning and pass that curiosity and love of learning onto others.
Nancy Bullard, U.S.: Honoring teachers is simple – thank them.
Source: Ipsos Quantitative Online Survey with teachers in 11 markets: AU, BR, CA, DE, FR, ID, IN, JP, KR, UK, US - August, 2024.