It pays to be a Teacher

It pays to be a Teacher

- Bernard Fernandes

Don’t get me wrong. No reference to fat pay-cheques, jumbo monetary incentives, steep increments in pay scales – these may come as side benefits, but surely it is not my primary concern here. 

For centuries a teacher has been held in high esteem and respect. And rightly so!  The importance of knowledge was never in question. The great philosopher, Aristotle, said, “All men by nature desire knowledge”. Add to this, the wise words of Socrates, another admirable teacher and philosopher, “Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual”, and the role of a teacher gains that much significance. 

 

By no means is a teacher there to ‘impart’ knowledge, but, on the contrary, to ‘share’ her love for learning; not to force down ideas but rather, in the words of Socrates, “to make them think”. “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” Teachers are therefore known under various titles: guides, facilitators, creators, leaders who empower, pointers for excellence, advisors... Hence to fulfil this task and accomplish the role is a tall order for any teacher.  There are teachers who have tried and succeeded, attempted and failed, dreamed and achieved, hoped and lost belief – as is the case in all walks of life. Yet there is something noble in this profession, because teachers are ‘creators’ of destiny, harbingers of hope, potters moulding the clay and ‘angels leading their flock’. 

There is no doubt that, in modern times, teachers are hard to come by – blame it on the government, on parental dreams and aspirations, free flowing technology, internet, and coaching classes (they complete the grim picture!).  The challenges for the teacher today therefore are many – keeping abreast of the changing times,designing creative lessons that will pique and sustain the interest of the knowledgeable child, discovering and honing the unique ‘intelligences’ of the child, and above all, not losing hope.

The students, however, in spite of these drawbacks of the present system of education (especially in India), have not lost faith in their teachers. They look up to their ‘gurus’ for inspiration, guidance and wisdom. They know they are in safe hands, especially when needed to be given a long rope that will help them build their self-belief and self-esteem.  This is evident in the excitement generated at every teacher’s day – the elaborate (and secretive) preparations weeks before the teacher’s day program, hand-made cards, bouquets, specially composed poems and songs honouring their teachers.  Each class and every student wishes to outdo the other in their display of love and affection for their dedicated and committed teachers. Are these then not reasons enough for us to pride ourselves in our noble profession? May our chests swell with pride when some years down the line, our students say with gratitude, “Bless you teacher for enlightening my mind and educating my heart!”