When I came to China as a teacher in 1991, I was surprised to find that the country celebrated Teachers' Day on Sept 10. I thought it was a wonderful idea, especially because in my country, Canada, we had a Mothers' Day and a Fathers' Day, but no special day for teachers.

On Mothers' and Fathers' days, children pay their respects to parents. A card, bouquet or a gift is just a token of children's appreciation of their parents' sacrifice. The real appreciation is the gratitude children feel toward their parents.

Since teachers often play the role of parents, sisters, brothers and friends, it makes sense to celebrate a teachers' day the same way. Children often confide their problems to teachers rather than parents. A student once told me how his first love affair had come to an end. Another student confided in me that she was pregnant and I guided the 16-year-old to tell her parents. And a young man once confessed that he had become addicted to drugs. Teachers are not paid to render advice on such matters, but those who love their profession and students often perform duties beyond their regimen.