Growing up in Chiang Rai in northern Thailand, Samit never imagined himself as a teacher. At school, he struggled to explain lessons to classmates and dreamed instead of working in an airport.

But everything changed when one of his favourite high school teachers encouraged him to volunteer at Xavier Learning Community (XLC), a Jesuit-run institution supported by you, for marginalised young people from hill tribe communities.

Samit discovered something unexpected — a love for teaching. “The best thing about being a teacher here is the students,” Samit explains.

“They are my first priority. My happiness and commitment come from them and my sense of purpose. It’s their growth that tells me I’m doing something right.”

That first volunteer experience set him on a new path. Recognising his potential, the Jesuits offered Samit a scholarship to study a Master’s in Teaching in Indonesia, which he completed in 2021. Today, he continues his journey with a PhD in English for Professional Development, equipping himself to guide and uplift his students even further.

Samit is deeply aware of the barriers his students face: “For many ethnic minority students, society often sees them as having low status. But with education, they gain a true sense of belonging. They become proud of themselves, regardless of their ethnicity or discrimination.”

Now, his graduates are flourishing — as flight attendants, hotel managers, ecotourism leaders, and some are even working in Australia. For Samit, their success is proof of education’s power.

“My greatest hope is to see them become agents of change, using their learning not only to build their own lives, but to strengthen their communities with gratitude and compassion.”

As Australia celebrates World Teachers’ Day on 31 October, Samit’s journey is a reminder that when someone is inspired to teach with passion, they can transform countless lives.