Education is more than just the transmission of knowledge; its a powerful tool for shaping individuals and, ultimately, who we are as a society. Some, like Germán Rico, go beyond what’s expected, inspiring students to learn and grow as individuals. 

Rico is a Spanish teacher at Los Nogales in Bogotá who is passionate about his job and what he teaches. His passion for teaching comes from his love for knowledge and his goal of making a difference. 

One of his students, Juliana Gómez, a tenth-grade student,  describes him as “a man with a noble heart, with an open mind, and his education is reflected in how he carefully selects his words, even when dealing with complex or controversial topics.”

When asked why he became a teacher, Rico explained how literature helped him understand life better. He never actually read too much until his last two years of school, when he discovered a passion for knowledge. 

“I felt that I understood the world better. I felt that all these cathartic processes and experiences through literature. They helped me feel more at peace and become a better person,” Rico said.

When he was a senior student, he made a presentation about Latin American Ethics. He got a standing ovation and everyone was very surprised by the knowledge he had about the topic and the control he had over the audience. 

“I wanted to teach (…), and it gave me great joy. It made me feel really good, it made me feel fulfilled—the ability to explain things to others, to share with them the beauty of the world,” Rico said.

But for Rico it was never just only about academics. When he became a teacher, he decided he was going to encourage students to think critically and ask questions. “I try to make them ask questions, I try to help them open their eyes to reality.” Although he recognizes we live in a pretty hostile environment, he believes that kindness and intelligence can make the world better. “If we are kind, if we are beautiful and intelligent with others, we can make this world a better place.” His students recognize this quality and appreciate his efforts to help them see beyond textbooks.

Of course, not every student is willing to learn. Many are still way too distracted, not willing to learn, or just not interested in class. But Rico sees these moments as opportunities rather than obstacles. 

“I believe that what must be done every day is to present students with something meaningful—to engage those who are on their phones, those who sometimes don’t respect or don’t want to be in class and motivate them. Like, ‘Hey, this is what I want to show you, this is important in life.’” Rico said. 

His patience and commitment ensure that even the most disengaged students eventually connect with his lessons.

Gómez also emphasized how his open-mindedness and willingness to learn new things daily make his classes so great. “His willingness to listen to different points of view without judgment and his emphasis on ensuring that the topics covered in class also educate us as individuals has a profound impact.” On the first day of class, the first thing he taught us was about kalos kagathos, which means the balance between inner and outer beauty. “This reminds me that we must always work on both,” Gómez said. 

For Gómez, Rico is more than just a teacher—he teaches his students how to be better people. To not hurt others, to be oneself with no remorse, to be open to new experiences and opinions. 

“One of his goals is for us to learn from the different stimuli in the world. But I think his main reason for choosing this profession is to teach us to be better human beings. To think about others and create a world where no one has to stop being themselves to feel respected,” Gómez said.

Rico holds many dear memories with him, but the ones he really treasures are the ones that he has from one of the first schools he taught in. “They told me that I taught them to be better people. That, to me, is incredibly honorable.” From my point of view, being told this was his “I made it moment.” He knew that no matter how far he was from his students, they would still remember him from the lessons he’s taught. 

Rico’s story is a reminder that great teachers do more than educate; they inspire, challenge, and shape the next generation. His approach to teaching not only makes his students more knowledgeable but also encourages them to be better people. And in doing so, he truly makes the world a better place.