On this very special day, I want to wish a very happy teachers’ day to all my teachers. Specially to those who inspired me to become a teacher by choice and not by force. Every one of us has favourite teachers and we may like our teachers for various reasons, because they posses extraordinary knowledge or the love and kindness they have for us or it may be the level of dedication they have towards the classroom or how hard they work to have a innovative classroom or it may be the attention one gets from them. All of us at some point, get attached to a teacher and they may inspire us to become what we are today.
When I look back, and think about those teachers who inspire me to become a teacher, three names instantly strike my mind without a second thought. I want to dedicate this article to them. Though we don’t talk frequently, their values always reflect in my classroom.
The first name that comes to my mind is Soumen Mukherjee Sir, though we knew him as Mukherjee Sir. He was PGT Biology in our school (JNV Golaghat). He never took any formal classes in our batch except for one or two arrangement classes for Mathematics. He was my house master (warden) when for the first time I went to a residential school in Class VI, and after two years, he transferred to a different school.
But the two years we spent with him were amazing. I learnt from him the love and kindness one must have towards students if someone enters this profession. Though he never taught us, but for most the students of our batch, he is still our favourite teacher.
The second person is one who actually ignited my love for teaching. She is Sujatha Ma’am, Academic Director, Pupil Tree School, Bellary. Her commitment, passion and dedication for this noble profession is an inspiration to many. She taught me teaching is not just having professional qualifications but it needs a deep feeling for children and an interest to deliver in the class. She taught me each and every thing about teaching, from classroom management to the preparation of question papers.
Though I entered Pupil Tree School after I graduated,my graduation, I always consider her my first teacher who trained me to become one.
Presentation in a classroom is very important. It always matters how we present a concept, and the third name that comes my mind is someone who can present a particular concept like no other. She is Sreeparna Bhattacharjee Roy Ma’am, Faculty, Assam University, Silchar. I was lucky to attend her classes during my M.Ed days, and she continous to motivate me even now.
No matter for how long she takes classes but not for a single moment you will feel distracted because of her unique and engaging concept delivery in the classroom.
I am sure all of us as teachers also have our favourite teachers, who inspire us to do better, and we must try to reflect their values and skills in our classrooms.
On this teachers’ day, as a teacher, I feel that teaching is not just a job, its a profession that needs interest, passion and commitment. Love and care always makes a difference in the classroom, no matter how knowledgeable a teacher may be.