The message is simple, but it’s an important one to remember—be true to yourself and your students will follow. Clint Smith, a 25-year-old teacher, spread this message in an empowering four minute TED talk speech about the dangers of silence. He poetically explains the responsibility of an educator to not only teach the subject of your class, but the responsibility to be a role model and a leader for your students. Though the weight of this responsibility can definitely feel heavy at times, if you are strong enough to carry it, you can have a great impact in a student’s life. Smith explains how you can find this strength through honesty, both with yourself and your students. So if you have four minutes to spare, check out this video, we promise you’ll be inspired. Just don’t be surprised if by the end you find yourself standing on your desk saying “O Captain! My Captain!”