Musing 61: The Teacher (in Me)

February 13, 2016

“When would I know that I have succeeded as a teacher?” I asked the 9th graders as we concluded yet another gripping session of their History and Political Science course. It was instinctive, a question which I myself haven’t thought about in detail.

They looked at me intently. Half a minute passed by the time Vikashini replied. “When we raise questions and express opinions in class, when we give the right responses to the questions you ask,” she said.

“When all of us score an A1 in the SA (Summative Assessment),” replied Kavya from the last row. She is one of the students who score 100% consistently.

Irsath had a different view. He thought that my success as a teacher depended on how many admirers I made.

“All of what you said are desirable, but none of them is the answer,” I replied. Yet again instinctively.

Now all eyes are on me. They want to hear from their teacher what define his success. I was blank for a second. And I said,

“I consider myself successful when I make Vivekanandas out of you.. when Gandhis, Ambedkars, Niveditas, Lakshmi Bhais and Bharatiyaars are born in this class.”

Nobody spoke. Nobody moved. I was surprised to hear what I just said. It was like somebody else spoke through me while I remained a witness.

“What?! Who am I to make a Vivekananda? What did I just blabber?” Was my first thought as that moment of inspiration passed.

But the self doubt disappeared the moment I saw sparkle in their eyes.Those words have touched them deep inside. They are kindled.

It wasn’t my words. I was just a mike. The force that spoke through me will make it happen for sure. Why should I worry?

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Musings 60: Make or Break a Child

January 06, 2016

In the recently concluded Formative Assessment, one of my 6th graders had done really well. He scored an A1 in Social Science. I congratulated him and the class gave him a standing ovation. He was beaming.

As I left the class, he rushed to me and asked excitedly, “Sir, I really got an A1.. no?” I smiled and reassured that he did great and I am very proud of him.

The next day he met me outside the class. His eyes welled up. I knew something was wrong. I gently wrapped him in my arms and asked what it was. He said,

“My amma won’t believe me. She said I was lying. She says that I can never expect an A1. I have never got a grade higher than B2 so far. So how can I get an A1this time?”

I didn’t know what to say.
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Dear parents and teachers, we can make or break a child. Beware!

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