Dr. R Umamaheswari, the Principal of Satchidananda Jothi Nikethan International
School, Coimbatore talks about her journey as a teacher and how the student the community has shaped her and helped her evolve both as a teacher and a human
being.
Little did I realize when I took up this man-making profession 25 years ago, that I would face challenges virtually from all quarters. The very first thought was my own self-doubt. “Would I be able to do my best for the younger generation?” And
second “What if I am rejected by the younger minds?” “What would be the
thoughts of the children if I don’t perform?” The fear of facing society for not
living up to their expectations started haunting me, but today after several decades,
the credit goes to the young community, the student community of the school for
making me a successful teacher,
It is the student community that made me what I am today enabling me to move in
society with pride. Knowing well that we are the props of society, I slowly
started consolidating myself dispelling my self-doubts and fears of facing failures.
The student community has stood by me, encouraged me, supported me, and even
corrected me. It is not an exaggeration, behind the success of every teacher, stands
a group of students who always ensure, that teachers get the support and the right
recognition from time to time. One cannot sideline the challenges we faced during the pandemic. Thanks to
students again, the teaching community has become tech-savvy and self-reliant.
Yes, we faced challenges but our students benefitted the teaching community by
converting all the challenges into opportunities. It made us learn new skills which are
very demanding for the teachers teaching today.
In the changing scenario of school education, it is not an exaggeration that students
make better teachers and the very status that we enjoy as teachers, it is again
because of students. As we celebrate Teacher’s Day remembering the teacher of all teachers, Dr
Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan my request to the world is to let us remain the ‘Props of
the Society’ by creating citizens who can face the world with confidence and
courage.
In our pursuit towards excellence, let the teaching community realize
that being with the young community itself is a blessing. Let us ensure we do our
best to create an India which is corruption-free, conflict-free, and difference-free.
As a fellow teacher let me wish all my fellow colleagues A Very Happy Teachers
Day!
