Why did I become a teacher nearly 45 years ago?
I don't know. Life, I suppose.
I was not one who kootchy-kooed babies or the agony aunt doling out sympathetic advice to neighbourhood children. When other people’s kids whined or were bratty, I would tell myself, ‘Not for me!’
Choosing to travel with my husband, a professional soldier, I had to live short tenures in remote regions of the country. In 1980s, very few careers could be pursued due to this constant travel. But I wanted to do more with my life and so, I began to teach. Fortunately, there were always schools nearby.
My first day as teacher found me shaking with nerves. I recalled my own schooldays when we played tricks on the unsuspecting newbie.
Would I be able to stand up to the tricksters or be hooted out of the class?
Eventually, the day was not as bad as my nightmares and I did attain the required assurance and diligence as time went by.
BUT I WANTED MORE.
As I went through the motions of being an adequate educator, certain voices whispered in my ears. Voices of teachers from my own youth who had defined me and made me what I am today.
Why could I not be like them?
I wondered.
Are these unforgettable teachers born or are they made?
More and more, I began to believe that teachers are made.
And that brought the next question.
How?
How does one find the requisite passion and compassion?
How does one imbibe the intangible traits that transform an ordinary individual into a brilliant educator?
And I began to look around…and I began to learn…from my experiences. Some lessons fascinated me though some of them made me ponder, too.
WHAT I LEARNT...
EDUCATION IS FAR MORE THAN IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE
I was amazed to discover how much teachers influenced young minds. The depth of this faith was so robust that it was scary. I made me examine my skills, my capability and wonder if they justified such certitude. On the other hand, it convinced me to work harder with my students.
MOODS NEED CURATING
Emotional equilibrium is always in flux. But I had to see it to believe how quickly my students picked up my emotions. They mirrored my temperament instantly. If a certain topic bored me, I found my students actually yawning while I taught it. Conversely, my enthusiasm was equally infectious. Students happily carried out strenuous duties simply because I made it feel like a game. Quickly, I learned to park my moods outside the classroom, especially the bad ones. 
LEARNER FOR LIFE
I realized being older or more experienced did not give me carte blanche on knowing better. While it’s a cliché, learning does occur all the time. However, I had to be conscious of the process and integrate it to glean its value. I could profit by transforming my perspective and make paradigm shift in my journey to become a better educator.
To be honest, I learned some undeniable truths from the mouths of babes.
And then I came across a unique book.
Titled A Score Or More, it offered up a variety of introspection. Written by practicing educators, it is a collection of transformational tales that focused on exactly what I was searching for…that intangible essence that makes the unforgettable educator.
PICK IT UP: https://www.amazon.in/Score-More-Chronicles-Change-Cheer/dp/9391800513
Certain expressions from the tales jumped out at me.
From Amita’s Son by Vandana Gera
‘He said, ‘My parents gave me my first birth, but you gave me my second birth. You always taught us to do our duty to our parents. How is my duty to you any less than that to my parents? Am I not your son, Ma’am?’’
From Iyerness by R. Geeta
‘It was she who had to break and bend to each child’s will. She had realised how distinctive each child was. She had discovered that each one had a unique way of learning. She had learned to let them grow at their own pace.’
From Let Go by Chandini Dayal
‘How could a mother be so brave? How could she let go of her own fears to instill confidence in her son?’
From The Little Windows by Keerthi Sahni
‘I told myself, ‘You are supposed to be their pillar of strength.’ And thought to myself:
How do you give a hug through the screen and say it’s going to be okay?
How do you hold a hand through the inconstant network of 3Gs and 4Gs?
How do you wipe a tear through these erratic connections, when your own world is slipping away under your feet?’
These are tales of educators on a trajectory.
They learned from everything, everyone, every situation around them, celebrating all the experiences and evolving with them.
They discovered an unknown world that exists within the mundane; a world made of tears and laughter, courage and atonement. Triggers that commenced the rejuvenation of these educator-storytellers are many. Sometimes it is a child standing courageously up to bullying or trying to rise above their dire circumstances or enlightenment emerging from a botched suicide attempt.
A world they enjoyed exploring. One that they wove into their efforts to mould young lives.
What lifted my spirit is how the tales opened new panoramas to me.
I would highly recommend this unforgettable anthology of passionate educators each telling their unique tale.
Like me, if you are seeker for vistas unknown, for that fabled allegory, 'the unforgettable teacher' these stories of redemption lend you the wings.
