I’m so happy that you are joining me today to celebrate `World Teachers Day and interestingly the theme of World Teachers' Day 2021 is “Teachers at the heart of education recovery”. The United Nations (UNESCO) presented this theme for teachers' day in respect of their determined and diligent efforts in the crucial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Just imagine, how will this wonderful world would have been without teachers!
I’m sure you all know that September 5 is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India. You also know that these teachers have been so influential & deeper in the roots of our history. Just remembering Guru Dronacharya, Chanakya, Savitribai Phule, Kalamji & also the recent Indian School Teacher Ranjitsinh Disale who won world’s best teacher award by making a difference to the education and the country and its incredibly a proud moment for all of us as there are so many eminent teachers from India.
BTW I wanted to share one of the forwards I got on my WhatsApp as I was so deeply impressed with the content, and felt that this has to be shared to all the people and I felt its appropriate for this occasion as its important that each one is aware of the role of teachers & it is necessary for the future generation too on how we think about the teachers.
Here is the Event:
There were 7 to 8 key people in the society for the dinner together. All the guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One of the guest is a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become only a teacher?"
To stress his point he said to another guest;
"You're a teacher, Be honest. What do you make?"
The teacher who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make?
She paused for a second, then began...
"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 min. without an I- Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.
Again she repeated the question asked by the CEO --- You want to know what I make? She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table;
I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them how to write and then I make them write; keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math.
I make them use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know about subject while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.
The teacher paused one last time and then continued, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant.
You want to know what I make.
I make a difference
I make a difference in all your lives, educating kids, & preparing them to become CEOs, & Doctors & Engineers.
What do you make Mr. CEO? His jaw dropped; he went silent.
Isn’t it a noble work friends? How did you feel reading to this conversation of these elite people? I’m sure some of you may have started to think differently about this noble profession, some may be wondering about so many things the teacher accomplish by teaching and some may be feeling proud about your teachers….right?
As a learning & development specialist, I have always been around excellent teachers & mentors and gained a lot by being around and listening and taking their suggestion. I was also talking to many teachers right from Anganwadi school to Private school and also to some key people who are part of the Skill India Development program to understand what they think about education system. I realized that it is so important in building capacities of teachers to bring education in every district and country & sad that we have shortage of experts in the system who make this kind of a difference.
3 key people in child’s life … in fact all our lives….. who can influence & make a difference i.e., firstly the mother, then the father who gave life and then the teacher who taught us how to live. Teaching profession is to make an impact for future generations for better tomorrow. We need to respect teaching profession and tell our children on the importance of teachers and teaching in our lives as that shall be the biggest tribute we can pay to our teachers.
My humble suggestion
If you want to scale-up & be a game-changer, then be in touch with your teachers as they are great source of network and their knowledge is deeper…Agree?
What we need in our society today, is to have the greatest minds teach the youngsters the right values and make a real difference and that is possible only by teachers right?
To conclude friends, I wish to remember Malala on this special occasion where she says: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world." So lets celebrate teachers day every day and be in their guidance & blessings forever!
Wishing you a very happy World Teachers day
Look forward to your views & comments! Thank you