Teachers Day
“The influence of teachers extends beyond the classroom, well into the future.”
Having spent over three decades as a teacher in various schools, 5th September, Teachers Day in India, is of great significance to me even post-retirement.
Memories and images flash through my mind. There was always such a buzz in school on Teachers Day. The school would wear a festive look. PTA representatives would adorn the school with flowers, banners and posters.
Teachers would make an effort and dress up special. The moment they entered the gates of the school, children who would typically whizz past would stop smile and wish. It is indeed a lovely feeling to be acknowledged and made to feel special.
Class teachers would enter their classroom to be pleasantly surprised, to see the effort children had put in decorating the class, her table and the blackboard. Even the naughtiest child would be on his best behaviour. Also, everybody loved the fact that it would be a no teaching day.
As a teacher and administrator, the whole day, I would have children from Junior School run into my office with flowers, cards or toffees. By the end of the day, my table would be full of bits of paper, with a little sketch or endearing message that I never had the heart to discard. The love and affection that went into the making of these indigenous cards was the biggest reward of my life. They meant more to me than the readymade cards or booklets that some gave.
The special assemblies organised by the students were always a treat. It also gave one an understanding of how they perceived us. It was one day we saw ourselves through the eyes of our students. Our little quirks highlighted would not only make us laugh but make us aware of our students' interpretation and reaction.
Students of the senior-most class would take over from teachers in grades, to allow them to enjoy the sumptuous tea or lunch laid out in their staff rooms. All dressed in formal attire these students, would take the task assigned to them with admirable seriousness.
By the time they exited the classroom, they would be dishevelled, pulling their hair out and very appreciative of teachers, wondering how we lasted out!
The lessons I learnt on Teachers Day were innumerable. The more love you give, the more you get. You are everything to a child. Hence build-up their confidence, self-esteem, guide them to appreciate and respect others, tolerate shortcomings and most importantly teach them the ability to make light of situations and not buckle under pressure.
We do not realise, the importance we have in our student’s lives. Our moods and attitude impact them, and hence we need to be careful and never impatient.
Children, notice your attire, demeanour and are quick to give you compliments. We teachers must do the same. Give compliments and hugs, (post-COVID)bring adequate energy and positivity into your classroom, and the learning will be effortless and fun.
Smile, laugh, spread joy and learning. We all have good and bad days, and sometimes the demands of our job may tire us out. Pep yourself up before entering your classroom as children are sensitive to moods and derive their enthusiasm from you.
Teachers are unsung heroes. Many a time, they are not acknowledged or adequately rewarded by their managements. Yet they continue to work diligently, knowing that the only reward that counts is the smile and look on the face of their students.
I no longer teach, yet every now and then, messages and news about how well my students are doing and the marvellous humans they are today is what makes all these years worthwhile.
