The influence of a role model is critical to the motivation in teaching and learning English and the teacher's identity. This paper explores the factors that influence the teacher identity and beliefs and values of an English teacher who was actively engaged in teaching and was considered a powerful and energetic role model until her death at the age of 83 in Gorontalo, Indonesia. The data for this qualitative study were collected from in-depth interviews with the family members of the exemplary teacher in Gorontalo Province, Sulawesi, Indonesia; and from 10 high school English teachers and colleagues of the said teacher. Two factors are identified in influencing the role model teacher's identity shaping and development: Family culture and Social factor. These two factors are pivotal contributing to EFL teacher's professional beliefs, identity shaping and development which then subsequently impact on motivation in learning and teaching.