There is a silence in modern classrooms not the quiet of focused minds, but the stillness of something missing. A kind of spiritual absence. A hollowness that hums beneath the structure of schedules, gradebooks, and assessments.

There’s a hidden line in every classroom one most students never quite see, and many teachers don’t realize they’re constantly balancing on. It’s the fine line between being a friend and being an authority. Should teachers be warm and approachable, like a big sibling or trusted mentor? Or should they draw clear boundaries and command respect, like a coach or commanding officer?

By the time you finish reading this, you might feel the urge to call your old teacher or hug your mum/dad. And maybe… that’s exactly the point.