There are some professions that people choose for convenience, for stability, or for financial security. And then there are a few rare professions that choose you—because they demand your heart, your soul, and your willingness to serve. Teaching belongs to that rare category. Being a teacher is not everyone’s cup of coffee. It requires patience, resilience, compassion, and above all, a love for children and learning. For me, it was never a “job.” It was a calling.
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I can still remember the thrill I felt when, at the age of 19, I was given the opportunity to step into a classroom not as a student, but as a teacher. That moment changed my life. I was young, inexperienced, and yet burning with passion. I wasn’t sure if I could handle the responsibility—but my heart told me this was where I belonged.
The Early Years: Roses, Smiles, and Innocence
Walking into that first classroom as a 19-year-old teacher was surreal. The children were as curious about me as I was about them. To them, I was not just their teacher—I was a friend, a sister, and sometimes even a role model. Their little eyes sparkled with excitement at having a young face before them. I was adored in ways I had never imagined. Every day, they showered me with roses, drawings, and handwritten notes. Their affection was so pure, so unfiltered, that it made me want to give my very best every single day.
Teaching them was not a bed of roses—it came with its share of challenges—but the joy outweighed everything. I loved going to school, not because it was my duty, but because it filled me with happiness. I was blessed to have wonderful students and supportive managements who trusted me with their children. That trust is sacred. A teacher holds in her hands not just a lesson plan, but the dreams of a generation.
Teaching in College: New Dimensions
As my journey progressed, I got the chance to teach in college. This was a different world altogether. Here, the students were young adults—on the cusp of independence, eager to question, explore, and push boundaries. Teaching them was not about controlling their energy but channelling it. It was adult-to-adult communication, and I relished it.
I remember how my lecture halls would be full—not just with students officially enrolled in my classes, but with others who came simply because they enjoyed the way I taught. Some came to listen, some came to learn, and some, amusingly, came just to admire how I dressed! It made me smile, but it also reminded me that a teacher influences in many ways—consciously and unconsciously. What you say, how you act, even how you carry yourself—all of it leaves an imprint.
The trips, the conversations, the counselling sessions—all of these made me realise how much students long for connection. They don’t just need information; they need guidance, empathy, and someone who believes in them. Being popular with students was never about being “cool”—it was about being authentic, approachable, and deeply human.
Teaching Abroad: Lessons Beyond Borders
Life gave me opportunities to teach abroad, and this widened my perspective immensely. Different countries, different age groups, different classrooms—and yet, one thing remained constant: the bond between teacher and student. Children everywhere crave love, encouragement, and recognition. They want to know that their teacher sees them, values them, and cares about them.
When the time came for me to leave, the goodbyes were some of the hardest moments of my life. I still remember standing at the airport, surrounded by students who were sobbing because they didn’t want me to go. Their tears were not just about parting; they were about the connection we had built. That kind of love cannot be measured—it stays with you forever. Even today, those memories remind me of the invisible threads that bind teachers and students, across continents and cultures.
Back in India: Wearing Many Hats
Back in India, I took on leadership roles, including serving as a principal. But even then, in my heart, I was always a teacher first. Leadership gave me a broader platform, but nothing compared to the magic of being in a classroom.
One memory stands out clearly: teaching a Grade 10 class where I had to discipline a student who was misbehaving. It wasn’t easy, but I knew I had to play multiple roles—mother, counsellor, mentor—all at once. Teaching older children demands firmness and kindness in equal measure. You are shaping not just their knowledge but their character, their choices, and their worldview.
Parents may not always recognise this effort. Teaching, in many ways, is a thankless job. No matter how much you give, there will always be criticism, comparisons, and dissatisfaction. But teachers don’t teach for praise; they teach because their souls demand it. It is an inner satisfaction that no pay cheque can equal.
The Priceless Rewards of Teaching
Over time, you realise that the true rewards of teaching are not certificates, awards, or titles. They are the small, priceless moments when a child’s eyes light up with understanding, when a struggling student finally says, “I get it,” or when years later, a former student finds you just to say, “Thank you.”
I still treasure the little cards, the scribbled notes on torn paper, and the words “I love you, ma’am” written in shaky handwriting. Those bits of paper may look ordinary to others, but to me, they are more valuable than gold. How I wish I could turn back time and hug all those children again! Some I don’t know where they are now, but every once in a while, I receive a message on social media or meet them at an alumni event. When they call out, “Mrs Iyer, we loved your English classes,” it feels like I’ve won a million dollars. That recognition, that lasting impact, is the true measure of a teacher’s success.
Teaching as a Calling
If there is one message I want to leave behind, it is this: teaching is not a job, it is a calling. It is not about standing in front of a class and delivering lessons; it is about standing beside a child and shaping a life. It is about planting seeds of curiosity, watering them with love, and watching them bloom into confident, compassionate human beings.
Yes, teaching can be exhausting. Yes, it can feel thankless at times. But when you look back and see the lives you’ve touched, the futures you’ve shaped, and the hearts you’ve inspired, you realise it is the most meaningful profession in the world.
So, to anyone considering this path: step into it not for recognition, not for security, but for love. Step into it because you want to make a difference. Step into it because the smile of a child, the success of a student, and the gratitude of a young adult years later will give you more joy than anything else ever could.
Teaching has given me everything—purpose, fulfilment, and countless memories that I will carry in my heart forever. And I can say with conviction: if I were given a chance to live my life all over again, I would still choose to be a teacher. Because to be a teacher is to touch eternity.
