From the moment she walked into my class, I was in awe of her. The way she neatly draped her saree, her soft spoken and smiling demeanour, the way she broke down tough concepts into simpler ideas. Asha Mam had struck a special bond and place in my heart. Her importance in my life is difficult to erase, even after decades of being apart. On Teacher’s Day, I wish to send a note of gratitude Asha Mam’s way.
She instilled in me a confidence to adapt to new or foreign ideas. Her words still resonate and everything about her has remained crystal clear as if it was yesterday. Her memories, the knowledge she imparted and that motherly affection have made a place in my heart permanently. All those years back, she had given me a direction which I pursued and turned into my passion as well as my profession.
There is a great day set to celebrate wonderful educators like Asha Mam. September 5th is dedicated to our teachers, a day that commemorates the birth anniversary of the first President of India, Bharat Ratna Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on the same day in 1888. Interestingly, World Teachers’ Day is held on October 5th every year to celebrate teachers all around the globe.
As we grow up, we keep climbing the ladder of learning but each teacher, since the beginning of our formal education, plays a significant role in shaping us. In fact, it is correct to state that after one’s family, teachers play the most pivotal role in shaping us. While each comes with her own methodologies, one thing is common – they impart knowledge with love and affection.
Celebrating the unsung heroes
“If you have to put someone on a pedestal, put teachers. They are society’s heroes, ” these decorated words by the American author Guy Kawasaki echoes the sentiments behind the spirit of Teacher’s Day. Indeed, each of us remembers the teacher or teachers who left an indelible mark on us. They could be our school teachers, college or university professors or even our mentors during various professional stints.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” stated the iconic leader Nelson Mandela. It is understood then that teachers are the facilitators of education that makes this world a better place.
The ‘hard working’ teachers
Teachers of any standard deal with a ton of challenges. They lead, mentor and educate a team which is truly diverse and has immense but locked potential. To unlock this potential, teachers give their ‘heart and soul’.
Standing on their feet through most part of the day, they begin their day early and spend a very hectic day well beyond teaching hours. They multitask – teaching the subject, taking care of each student and their work while instilling life lessons and values along the way. They work for the most vulnerable and demanding audience, that is the children.
Teachers instil discipline in us
We imbibe values from life’s first teachers, that is our parents. And these values decide our goals and the course of our life. Simultaneously, teachers play an equally important role in reinforcing those values.
They take us on a structured path to do things which is called discipline. Hardly anyone forgets the strict teachers that checked our trimmed nails and polished shoes. The one who scolded us for reaching late to class and even wrote a note in our diary if misbehaviour was observed. Well, we did not like her then, but years later, we cannot be more grateful to her for introducing us to grooming or the value of time. After all, in life, good time management is one of the greatest skills that help us in navigating each day with maximum productivity.
Unconditional love and care
“Your heart is slightly larger than the average human heart, but that’s because you’re a teacher,” these wonderful words from the New York-based cartoonist Aaron Bacall beautifully describe the love and affection of teachers towards their students.
Indeed, teachers feel extreme joy when their students understand what they are trying to teach and reciprocate. A student excelling or coming back to them after scaling great heights amounts to the greatest jubilation and contentment for teachers.
Synonyms of patience
Albert Einstein once famously said, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” Really, one often wonders how teachers do it. With unlimited dedication of course. Teachers are laced with a special skill called patience which works brilliantly when polishing young skills and helping kids grasp new concepts. Teachers, without discrimination, try to channelize students’ energies into the right direction.
Like true heroes, they find innovative and suitable ways to metamorphose the kids into responsible, skilled, knowledgeable and disciplined grown-ups. The future of our society and globe is truly in the hands of these heroes, our teachers.
FAQs
When is Teacher’s Day celebrated?
September 5th is dedicated to teachers in our country. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of the first President of India, Bharat Ratna Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on the same day in 1888.
Why is September 5th celebrated as Teacher’s Day?
September 5th commemorates the birth anniversary of the first President of India, Bharat Ratna Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on the same day in 1888.
When is World Teacher’s day celebrated?
World Teachers’ Day is held on October 5th each year to celebrate teachers all around the globe.