THE PURE BOND BETWEEN TEACHER AND CHILD.
Thirty-eight years into being a mother-teacher has been a gratifying and fulfilling journey! I have learned many life lessons as I embarked on this path. I grew along with the classes I taught and evolved with changing times. However, what remained unchanged was that the children stayed the same! I can say with conviction and experience that, regardless of the time, children will respond to you based on how you treat them.
Teaching Kindergarten — pure, loving, energetic, and enthusiastic babies. They look at you with those big, round, innocent eyes, and the world melts. Their pride is evident when their class is judged the best decorated! From them, I learned an important lesson: never let the child within you die. As I moved on to secondary classes, it felt like stepping into a whole new world. The students were eager to learn, always wanting to become the teacher’s favorite, the first to finish their work, or run any errand — full of tireless energy. The challenge here was to keep that energy channelized in the right direction, and they would produce incredible results. They spoke their minds, often leading to misunderstandings, but their hearts were open. Standing at the threshold of adolescence, they indulged in anything that felt thrilling. Guide to them, counsel them, be a friend to them, and earn their trust; the rest becomes easy. I learned that youthfulness is a virtue, one you must never slip away. Live and love everyday of your life.
The senior secondary classes were always close to my heart. By this time, I had grown up alongside the children, and my own children grew up too, teaching me much along the way. Believe me, the day you think you know it all is the day you stop growing. These students — sceptical, with big egos and suspicious of teachers — were still childlike at heart. The moment they realized you meant what you said, they began to respect you. Never try to deceive them. They may not say anything out of politeness, but they can see through you. Your knowledge of the subject, your honesty, and fairness will earn that respect. Children admire disciplinarians who lead by example and stand by them in times of need. Be open, kind, and gentle. And yes, they truly appreciate a teacher with a sense of humor! I learned that teenagers put up a strong, defiant front, but they are soft and mushy inside.
As a senior citizen who still loves her classes, rushes to school everyday, and cherishes the compliments from students, I admit that I have had my fair share of difficult situations, but I learned more than I regretted.
If a child can run up to you and give you a hug, you’ve done something right. If boys hold you in high esteem and seek your help, you’ve done something right, if the so-called “indisciplined” teenager tells you, “Don’t be upset with me — anyone but not you.” you’ve done something right. If that very naughty child says “Sorry for the mistake, but I’ll make a ‘chijji’ (dish) for you and bring it tomorrow,” you’ve done something right.
The school becomes a place of pilgrimage when the children give you unbounded, unconditional love. When your colleagues respect you for who you are. When your principal and the management have faith in you.
Teaching is not just a profession, it is a passion. You reap the harvest you sowed years ago, but never lie back — always stay in the moment, always be in tune with the times.
