At around the 3rd century BC, the Greek Philosopher Archimedes formulated the idea of a simple machine. The so-called Archimedean Simple Machines were then introduced and began to be very useful in terms of carrying and transporting object. These simple machines consisted of lever, pulley and screw. He then discovered the principle of mechanical advantage using the lever. As time passed by more Greek philosophers defined additional simple machines that included wedge and windlass. This later emerged to identifying wheel and axle as parts of the very useful classic simple machines.

Consisting of a wheel attached to a smaller axle, wheel and axle are two parts that rotate together in which a force is transferred from one to the other. It either has a hinge or bearing that supports the axle and allows rotation. This can amplify force which means a small force applied to the periphery of the large wheel can move a large load attached to the axle, or even larger and heavier.

As innovations increase, two basic ways of how a wheel and axle works have been identified: the force applied to the wheel like that which is found in a doorknob and the forced applied to the axle like that which is in a bicycle.

In the past, evidences show that this simple machine has always been useful to man from lifting and carrying heavy loads to transporting anything and anyone.

Just as how the old world needed this kind of simple machine, more than ever, the modern world needs more of these ‘modern wheels and axles’ that could move people from their point of origin to reaching their potential—they are simply called TEACHERS. Like the manner of not recognizing the value of wheel and axle in our daily lives, most of us do not see the value of teachers these days; even if we do we tend to give less importance to them, perhaps due to their underrated sacrifices, unpublished contributions, discredited reputations and unrecognized achievements for humanity.

Like how the wheel and axle works in a doorknob, teachers open the door to a better future. Sometimes we only see how they close an opportunity, but we fail to recognize how they open limitless possibilities.

Like how the wheel and axle lifts loads and objects in a windlass or pulley, teachers also lift our burdens away. Most of them become more than a teacher to their students. Many of them act like fathers and mothers. Many of them serve as brothers and sisters. And almost all of them become a friend to those who need one.

Like how the wheel and axle works in a loader that elevates truly large and heavy objects, teachers elevate our dreams and spirits to higher ground that we see ourselves more than what we have at present, that our future becomes as bright as the sun at noon day.

Like how the wheel and axle works in a car, teachers bring us safely in our dream destinations. Doctors and nurses arrive safely in the hospital because of teachers. Engineers get safe in their respective projects because of teachers. Architects get to draw and build buildings because of teachers. Bankers and tellers reach their bank destinations because of teachers. These modern wheels and axles are truly the ones to be given credits to what we are able to attain and where we are now.

Archimedes' famous remark with regard to one of these simple machines: "Give me a place to stand on, and I will move the Earth” expresses his realization that there was no limit to the amount of force amplification that could be achieved by using mechanical advantage. In like manner, there is no limit to the amount of influence for good and greatness a teacher could have in his generation and the generations to come.

As one who was taught and molded by teachers, it has always been a priority on my part to follow their footsteps and be grateful for their contributions and sacrifices to make us all able to read and write and to make this world a better place to live in, though this, in reality lies within our hands not theirs. We could never thank them enough for all of these things. But at least we can do something to show that we are thankful for them and for what they do. We can do better by becoming what they have educated and trained us to be. We can do better by understanding them and showing appreciation to their influence in our lives. And we can do better by arriving in the destination those modern wheels and axles carried us to—becoming the best version of ourselves.