Happy (?) Teachers’ Day
2020’s been an absolute breeze of a year for our teachers. After all, all they have to do is sit in front of their laptops, right? They already get vacations, this has just extended them. They get to spend their days chilling at home while enjoying their favourite pastime: handing out assignments to unassuming students. Life couldn’t be better for them, don’t you think?
Wrong.
In fact, our teachers are going through something much worse than students are. For once, we just need to look at things from their perspective. But we won’t. Even with a life-threatening pandemic hanging over their heads, their biggest problem is, like it always has been, us.
- The pandemic has affected them more than it has affected us. Education which is considered the “secure” profession is under jeopardy. While your biggest worry is, “When will class get over, I want to sleep,” the person struggling to engage you is thinking, “Will I have this job tomorrow?”
- Though experts in their own respective fields, our teachers, don’t belong to the same generation as us, and hence, many of them are not as technologically inclined. This transition to online education has been much harder on them than it has been on us. Yet, they’re the ones who’re responsible for the smooth functioning of the classes. The slightest hiccup and their esteemed pupils will turn on them before they could even ask “If they are audible.”
- Used to the classroom setting, our teachers are being expected to convey the same quality of education in a whole new environment, mostly without any prior training. This new medium is one where they can’t even see the person they’re teaching and are at this person’s mercy to hear their voice. So, the next time you don’t understand what is being taught in class, maybe don’t expect them to magically know that (unless you’re from Hogwarts, then you’re fine). Also, if the only way to make you pay attention in the class is a chalk to the head, (thrown with Hawkeye’s precision, if I might add), then maybe the problem isn’t them.
As students, our sheer inability to listen to and adhere to simple instructions without cribbing fascinates me.
Despite all of their own problems, they’re still trying their best to make us feel as comfortable as possible.
However, instead of appreciating them for it, we have, as always, been making their lives more difficult while simultaneously blaming them for all of our own problems. This behaviour, while wrong in normal circumstances, is downright cruel right now, and needs to stop.
These are people who’ve dedicated their lives to our betterment and their continuous perseverance during this time is a testament to that fact.
Yes, the assignments are a pain sometimes, but reading our literary masterpieces (submitted 20 minutes before the deadline) is not great for them either. And yes, online classes can feel monotonous, but staring at a screen with just names written on it, and speaking to a void doesn’t sound like the most interesting thing in the world either. Also, we have the option to do this:
The truth is we’re all dealing with the same situation but they are the ones trying to do something about it. Maybe, as students, we could stand to be a little empathetic towards their shortcomings, and treat them with the respect and appreciation they deserve.
Our teachers might not be Robin Williams from Dead Poets Society or Professor Xavier, but right now, they’re just as cool.
So this year, when we wish them a Happy Teachers’ Day, let’s take a vow to make and keep our Teachers Happy. It’s the least we can do.
