We’ve all had a teacher that has expanded or changed the way we think about the world, a subject or other people.

Teachers strive to have the same effect on their students as their favorite teachers before them, and as the world moves further and further into the digital age, it’s becoming easier to thank teachers in more modern ways besides a letter or a phone call.

A recent PC World article highlighted just that. The article was written by Phil Shapiro, an educator and writer who wanted to thank his high school math teacher from 25 years ago. Shapiro created an endearing video tribute that he emailed to his teacher and uploaded to the Internet Archive and YouTube.

SmileMakers wants to know how your students have thanked you lately? Have you thanked your former teachers recently, if not, would you consider a more digital method?

As children across the nation head back to school, it’s hard not to reflect back to your own school days. Playing tag during recess, field trips with your class, chatting with your friends between classes at your locker; the memories begin to flood your mind with the happy and the always embarrassing events during that time.

Then there were your old teachers. Some teachers you despised, some were so-so, while others you loved! You could very well dislike the subject they taught, but loved the teacher anyway and, over time, you found a new appreciation for an area of education you never thought you’d enjoy.

Today we would like to ask you: Who was your favorite teacher and why?