Gentoo penguins, Antarctica

© Art Wolfe/Getty Image

Here's how it's done!. World Teachers' Day

World Teachers' Day, observed on October 5, celebrates our educators, professors, instructors, and all teachers who dedicate their lives to transmitting knowledge, skills and experience. The commemoration is based on the 1966 Paris Conference, held on the same day, in which the adoption of the '1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers' was discussed. The 1966 Recommendation not only acknowledges the essential role of teachers, but also establishes a framework for their rights, responsibilities, and the standards that define their craft.

Just as teachers shape minds and futures, nature too offers its own ways of passing knowledge. Nestled in the rocky landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula and Antarctic Islands, gentoo penguin hatchlings, born in pairs, witness an intricate tale of dedication from their parents. The father and mother raise them in a bonded, monogamous pair, bringing food back to the stony nest they have built together. After being fed and raised for 30 days, the chicks join a crèche or nursery for safety and to learn social behavior. Penguin parents and their community pass on their wisdom through the language of survival.