“A Teacher is a person who imparts knowledge;
in simple terms, who teaches.”
Shaping me into a person that I am today, there
are many people who have played a vital role in the process. My parents are my
first Gurus. After my parents, there were Teachers
who have played a vital role in shaping me. I’ve always had respect for them;
no doubt about it. But there comes a point when there are realisation of
certain elements of this field and the respect knows no bounds.
I’m a teacher since 8 months now, a
self-employed teacher; jobs never suited me; rather I am not made for jobs.
Teaching is not new to me; it’s in my genes. There are many in my family (from
both – mother’s and father’s side) who are teachers. It took me some time to
realise that I should too get into teaching. As a young man full of energy, I wanted
to explore the world, see what else can I get into and choose a different
career path. Of course, I never had issues with teaching as a career; in fact,
it was my first career choice, right from my SSC. Later, I just explored myself
and realised that I can good at some other things too. But, I finally got into
teaching and trust me, I was never as happy in my life as I am today.
Being a teacher has shown me various aspects of
the world today. Being with young, energetic and fresh minds is the greatest
blessing. As a person, I always remain updated with even the smallest of
things, for example: during my childhood, I had simple ink pens which needed to
be refilled from time to time; I wasn’t aware of the new cartridge ink pens
where you just change the cartridge and you’re good to go. Things have changed
a lot in these years. It will be 10 years in this March after my SSC but being
with these kids, I feel that it’s a longer duration.
I’ve been teaching with all my energy, dedication
and passion, just as my teachers did. The kids are equally attentive and
responsive. But then, there are days when you feel that your voice is just
falling on their ears but it’s not reaching them. There are days when you’re
tensed and worried for them because you’re responsible for them. One step wrong
from your side can lead to wrong learning and to make them unlearn it, becomes
difficult. It takes time, efforts, patience, passion and dedication to be a
teacher.
Not an easy job!
There were days during my school years when in
the midst of the academic year, a new teacher used be employed by the school. We’ve
teased them because they couldn’t teach, or a better statement would be, we’ve
teased them because they couldn’t stop us from making noise and make us pay
attention, even with all the knowledge they had. But what we didn’t realise is
that, if that person is standing in front of us as a teacher, then he definitely
knows more than us. One of my teachers told me something which is a lesson for
life, he said, “Don’t complain but learn
to compliment.”
As kids, our moods change unpredictably and
this aspect is still there with today’s generation. Moods are different which
of course, heavily depends upon happenings at school and home, friendships and
tiffs, and most importantly, the child’s temperament of interpreting happenings
around him. Sometimes, the kids listen immediately, sometimes, it takes a lot
of time to make them understand something; they’re not in the mood to listen. This
further takes direction of being firm, raising your voice and then finally,
punishments. Strictness and discipline are the important elements in formation
of a student into a citizen of tomorrow and moreover, a good human being.
Situations become really tough sometimes. The
students are not at all in the mood to listen and as a teacher, you know the
value of time. Letting time slip from a teacher’s hand is the worst mistake resulting
in the students’ loss. I faced one such situation where the kid was not ready
to listen and I couldn’t waste time. I had no other option but to stop teaching
and leave the classroom because scolding had been ineffective. I felt bad for
taking this step but I was left with no choice. On that one day, I realised how
much my teachers have tolerated us. Yes, tolerate;
that’s the right word. My respect for my teachers and all other teachers in
general reached the skies. That day truly defined the definition of a teacher
for me. It made me realise, how blessed I was to have such great, genius and
wonderful teachers.
A Teacher is a Maker.
A Teacher can make students into whatever they aspire to be. A Teacher is that
light which is always present during the bright, sunny days and which always
comes to your rescue when you see nothing but darkness. A Teacher is the one
who is there as a ladder to a child’s success. A Teacher is an Inspiration.
A Teacher is a human being who tells the students to “Be Human.”
To all the teachers in my life, thank you for making me what I am!
I don’t know whether I can even be 0.1% of what you are but, I will try
my best to be everything that you were to me – My Guiding Lamp.
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