The word 'Teacher' holds so much value, automatically a sense of respect for that individual seeps over you and the look on the face expresses 'gratitude'.
Recently, there have been times when the name has been tarnished, unfortunate incidents question your belief and trust bestowed on that identity but believe me, majority of the teachers are there because they 'care'. They wish to make a difference and I meet them everyday in the course of my career.
Today, I stand tall because I had many great teachers in my life, my mother being the greatest of all but in the world outside, two particularly stand out because they came in my life where my confidence level was at the ebb.
Ms. Mona Nanavati, my yoga teacher entered my life where my life was at crossroads and the future uncertain. I still remember her lovely face always showing so much love and happiness to see me in the class doing the asanas with devotion. Her regular efforts to know what I was planning to do with my future along with my action plan made me structure my actions. It was she who suggested that since I displayed a flair for teaching, I should go for a teaching course. She helped me secure admission as I was late in applying. The faith shown in me along with the Principal opened the doors of professional teaching to me.
The year was 1999 and I was back in college after a good 5 year break. All the students for the Bachelors of Education course seemed very young and excited and I felt older to them. I was nervous of exchanging introductions as I was in the process of getting divorced and was uncomfortable mentioning my status.
I took my place in the class, smiled and made small talk. The first week was awkward as I could not break barriers of communication from my end. Thus students had formed groups but I was the loner sitting at one corner.
One of my Professors, Dr. Usha Bhatia observed this and called me to the library during regular class so that we could be alone. Very warmly and gently she held my hand and told me to share my concerns. I normally don't open up that easily but the warmth in her eyes and patience to let me be in silence till I was comfortable got me talking. What I truly appreciated was there was no advice or judgement but interest to understand me.
As for status, her perspective of mentioning my status as 'single' seemed very logical as she felt that people would not connect my progress to 'sympathy tag'. The success could be owned by me for my hard work. Therefore I took to it with excitement and projected it. In the course of the year, I had made many friends and able to work collaboratively. Along the way, I recognized few genuine friends like Bhavika and Sudha who became my confidantes and are still my very close mates.
The driving force and trust bestowed by my teacher was so deep that at the end of the year I was awarded 'Miss H.J' student of the year award. Also I passed the year with distinction, happily progressing towards my M.Ed course.
Thus it is not content or teaching that truly matters but the profound bonding between teacher and student which develops the individual to reach maximum potentials and my teachers helped me realize my strengths.
These teachers had the special touch to transform me because they cared and I will forever be in gratitude to them.
Today, I feel blessed that I am a teacher, in the same position of transforming lives and if even one life under me has flowered and blossomed then the purpose of my life has been fulfilled. God bless all teachers who 'CARE' and 'SHARE'.
Recently, there have been times when the name has been tarnished, unfortunate incidents question your belief and trust bestowed on that identity but believe me, majority of the teachers are there because they 'care'. They wish to make a difference and I meet them everyday in the course of my career.
Today, I stand tall because I had many great teachers in my life, my mother being the greatest of all but in the world outside, two particularly stand out because they came in my life where my confidence level was at the ebb.
Ms. Mona Nanavati, my yoga teacher entered my life where my life was at crossroads and the future uncertain. I still remember her lovely face always showing so much love and happiness to see me in the class doing the asanas with devotion. Her regular efforts to know what I was planning to do with my future along with my action plan made me structure my actions. It was she who suggested that since I displayed a flair for teaching, I should go for a teaching course. She helped me secure admission as I was late in applying. The faith shown in me along with the Principal opened the doors of professional teaching to me.
The year was 1999 and I was back in college after a good 5 year break. All the students for the Bachelors of Education course seemed very young and excited and I felt older to them. I was nervous of exchanging introductions as I was in the process of getting divorced and was uncomfortable mentioning my status.
I took my place in the class, smiled and made small talk. The first week was awkward as I could not break barriers of communication from my end. Thus students had formed groups but I was the loner sitting at one corner.
One of my Professors, Dr. Usha Bhatia observed this and called me to the library during regular class so that we could be alone. Very warmly and gently she held my hand and told me to share my concerns. I normally don't open up that easily but the warmth in her eyes and patience to let me be in silence till I was comfortable got me talking. What I truly appreciated was there was no advice or judgement but interest to understand me.
As for status, her perspective of mentioning my status as 'single' seemed very logical as she felt that people would not connect my progress to 'sympathy tag'. The success could be owned by me for my hard work. Therefore I took to it with excitement and projected it. In the course of the year, I had made many friends and able to work collaboratively. Along the way, I recognized few genuine friends like Bhavika and Sudha who became my confidantes and are still my very close mates.
The driving force and trust bestowed by my teacher was so deep that at the end of the year I was awarded 'Miss H.J' student of the year award. Also I passed the year with distinction, happily progressing towards my M.Ed course.
Thus it is not content or teaching that truly matters but the profound bonding between teacher and student which develops the individual to reach maximum potentials and my teachers helped me realize my strengths.
These teachers had the special touch to transform me because they cared and I will forever be in gratitude to them.
Today, I feel blessed that I am a teacher, in the same position of transforming lives and if even one life under me has flowered and blossomed then the purpose of my life has been fulfilled. God bless all teachers who 'CARE' and 'SHARE'.
A good read.
ReplyDeleteYes,We truly transform lives
Teachers do play a important role in your life lucky r those students who r grooming under u kavita As u have a very broad prospective towards education, up bringing of students may u succeed in your life best wishes
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteTeaching i believe is not just a profession , it is a call to serve.
I am happy to be serving along with you.
You should write more often. We should leave such an impact that even after we are gone, people will remember or write about us the way you have written and expressed gratitude for your teachers. Focus of each and every profession or business should be based on keeping humanity at the core and as a central value.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely piece of writing. At the end, gratitude is all a teacher would want to be paid with and that's bigger and more important than any other recognition.
ReplyDelete