An 'A' for being my teacher

Chitra Sanam / TNN / Sep 5, 2006, 23:10 IST

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A quick chat with some of Hyderabad's teachers was enough to convince us that the future of the nation was in good hands.

A quick chat with some of Hyderabad's teachers was enough to convince us that the future of the nation was in good hands.
He came to my desk with a quivering lip, the lesson was done. "Have you a new sheet for me, dear teacher? I've spoiled this one." I took his sheet, all soiled and blotted and gave him a new one all unspotted. And into his tired heart I cried, "Do better now, my child –Anonymous.
A student spends 25,000 hours on campus. Those are often the most defining moments of an individual's life. And the teacher plays the major role in unlocking the key to the unique personas inside of us. In a tribute to the guru, guide, teacher, and mentor who's been a beacon of light in the formative years of our lives, Hyderabad Times explores the experiences of teachers from across the city...
Manju Gupta, Principal and director, Pallavi Model School On the challenges before teachers today.

The basic challenge for today's teachers is not only to handle the IQ (intelligence quotient) of children but also bear in mind their emotional quotient. With nuclear families being the norm, children are in greater need of psychological support as they do not have other support systems to fall back on.
Ayesha Rubina, Director, Genesis Group of Schools On being a teacher in this day and age.
"Though it might sound clichéd, unconditional love and affection of children is enough encouragement to be a teacher. I have been teaching for the last 17 years, and have never felt the need to move out of the profession. The fact that you can make a difference is incentive enough."

Smita Nayak, Teacher, Glendale Academy on what's different today.
"Unlike earlier, when teaching meant textbook, chalk and board, today teaching is a continuous process of learning, both for the teacher and the student. Parents and students are much more aware of things thanks to the Internet. Besides, it has become the responsibility of a teacher to enhance literary and mathematical skills and also nurture their creativity. No lesson is an ordinary lesson."
Shanta Rameshwar Rao, Principal, Vidyaranya School for Boys and Girls on what inspired her to become a teacher.
"I was born into a family of teachers. I think that's where it all began. My father's teaching methods bore a strong influence on me. I also remember reading up about J Krishnamurti, Madame Montessori, Tarabai Modak, Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and others, in my childhood. Their ideas about how to raise good human beings had an impact on me. I realised that the world had not become a better place with the passage of time. So I started a school. I believed that schooling should be fun, and make children happy."
P Raja Rao Principal, Kalpa School on her most rewarding experience as a teacher.
"Recently, I made a trip to Tirupati, and I took a break halfway through my climb up the flight of stairs. As I was sitting on a hillock, I saw a man wave out to me. I didn't recognise him till he came up to me. I wondered why he was waving out to me. And with a sparkle in his eyes and his face beaming with a smile, he introduced himself as my student. He seemed very excited to see me after a long time. He came up with such pleasure, such joy. Such encounters make my profession a rewarding experience."
Supriya Karunakaran, Lecturer, St. Francis' College for Women on what breaks her heart.
"It is disheartening to see how the media projects teachers and their issues. In most Bollywood films like Main Hoon Naa and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, teachers are always ridiculed and caricatured. It is only in Black that a very unique and powerful student teacher relationship was portrayed. I really think popular culture should represent a more balanced student teacher relationship, since it has such a strong impact on young minds."

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