Thank you teacher- these three words do no justice and I don’t think that there are enough words to thank teachers, for their contribution.
Teachers are important, yet most often they are forgotten and not given due credit. Fortunately, we have a day to remind us of these noble souls, who devote their time and energy for us.
A teacher is the most resourceful person. She is a kind helper, a mindful listener, an extremely patient auditor, an ardent lover of children, an effective motivator, a powerful communicator, a creator of relationships, a splendid visionary, a perfect disciplinarian, the most beautiful cheerleader and holds a very optimistic approach.
Apart from the three basic human needs i.e. food, clothing and shelter, education is a vital element of life. Everyone, including politicians, businessmen, farmers, industrialists, artists, engineers, doctors, lawyers and builders – in short people from all walks of life need at least the basic form or the foundation of education.
Learning and training has changed by leaps and bounds. It has grown tremendously in the last century and will continue to prosper to infinity. There are innumerable fields to study in the arena of education. All this could be conceptualized and executed, only due to the constant hard work poured in by teachers and academicians. Yes, I agree with a remarkable increase in the areas of education, the confusion has also increased among students.
After all, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
So, here is when teachers come to rescue. They update them with the current trends of learning and gradually prepare the young minds, for their choice of subject according to their aptitude. They devoutly guide, direct, motivate, persuade and constantly encourage them to stay focused to their ambitions, dreams and goals.
It is said that teaching is a divine and the noblest profession of all. Many teachers were the cause of various political, industrial and educational revolutions which took place around the world. It is because of them we have a liberal and a breathable society to live in.
Teachers Day – The story behind the day
5th of September has been devoted to teachers and is celebrated as Teachers’ Day. Every year, on this day we commemorate the birth anniversary of a revolutionary educationist Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and also honour all the great teachers of our country.
But why choose this day to honor teachers? Let us find out.
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was one such great teacher who had dedicated around 40 years of his life to the field of education. He was born on 5th of September, 1888 in a Telugu family and started his career as a Philosophy teacher. He entered into this profession at a very young age of 21, at Presidency College, Chennai in 1909.
Being a scholar and a diplomat himself, he was aware of the contribution of teachers in a students’ life. He taught philosophy in many famous universities of India and abroad like – The University of Chennai, Kolkata, Mysore, Banaras, Oxford in London, etc. Because of his sincere and unfaltering devotion towards teaching, he was appointed as the Chairman of University Grants Commission in 1949. He was well recognized for his valuable services.
From 5th September, 1962 we started celebrating Teachers’ Day as he proposed that, instead of celebrating his birthday, this day must be celebrated as Teachers’ Day so that the contributions of all the teachers are given due recognition.
He went on to become the Vice President of Indian republic from 1952 to 1962 and the second President of India of Indian republic from 1962 to 1967. He played a significant role in the understanding and interpretation of Hinduism, in India as well as in the western countries. He was the pioneer in building a strong bond between our country and the west. His work and books have received criticism, and appreciation all over the world.
Yes, pen is always mightier than sword. His books spoke in depth about Hinduism and the Indian Philosophy. He brought about wonderful amendments to our country laws. He was also the recipient of the highest civilian award of India, the Bharat Ratna in the year 1954, apart from several honourable awards to his credit.
A little trivia for all you cricket lovers, former Indian Test Cricketer VVS Laxman is his great grandnephew!
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan always emphasized on reading and one of his quotes is eternally alive in my heart, “Reading a book gives us the habit of solitary reflection and true enjoyment.” I am passionate reader myself and a book gives me the real joy of life.
After serving the nation for a long period through his steadfast services, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan passed away on 17th of April, 1975.
Thank you teacher – A note to my teachers (and all the teachers out there)
Teachers are, undeniably, the pillars of strength and support. They play a huge part in shaping up characters of students and aid them to become ideal citizens not only of the country but also of the world.
I know there are many messages of thanks and gratitude are doing rounds today, but I wanted to pen down something myself. On this Teachers day when I myself know how a teacher’s life works, I write this letter as a tribute to every teacher who was once upon a student and certainly we are all students as long as we live. Without students, can a teacher have an identity?
Dear Teacher,
I read in one of the books that, it takes a great heart to help and sculpt little minds. Today when I look back and think about my life as a whole, the word Thank You doesn’t seem enough to be awarded to you.
Though my mornings were never easy, I dressed up with shining teeth, neatly tied hair adorned with pretty bows made of ribbon, starched – ironed uniform, polished to sparkle shoes, just to get noticed by you. Sometimes when I got a chance, I plucked a flower for you. Your morning smile always brought the day’s vitality.
I loved the way you taught us to become what we are today. The crisp and clear pronunciations, the easy techniques of calculation, the tips on writing essays, the tricks to remember chemicals formulae, simple methods to understand equations, rules of grammar, the beautiful cursive handwriting and finally, the etiquettes of life.
Yes, there were several times when I rebuked you behind your back. It was because you barely agreed to give free periods when the class was in no mood to study or you gave more attention to other students or you had set the toughest question papers or you lost your temper and shouted at me in front of the whole class.
All that was too much to handle for me at that point of time. I called you names and made a mess sometimes. I was punished for my notorious behavior, for throwing tantrums and our school juniors made fun of me. It was extremely embarrassing. I felt insulted and cried horridly later.
Now after wearing the teacher’s hat and being a mother as well, I realize a zillion things. It is not easy to manage a family with kids and balance a professional life.
Most of all being a teacher, taking accountability of so many other young minds from different cultural backgrounds, different states, different mentality and sometimes different nationality is a huge endeavor altogether.
Now I realize, had I not been through those humiliations, I would have never emerged as a stronger individual. Had I not been through those complications, I would have never exercised my brains. Had I not been through those challenges, I would have never been brave enough to take up responsibilities.
Today I thank you for being so consistent in teaching. There might have been so many days when things went wrong at your end still you put in your best efforts to teach us.
You would have fallen sick, still you hardly took a day off. You work at school as well as at home with equal vigour, vitality and love.
Your daily efforts to keep us interested and the innumerable innovations to bring life to our text books deserve applause. You have been a genuis for bringing various interesting topics for classroom discussions, answering all our silliest confusions, acknowledging our intelligent questions, encouraging to go forth in our interests and best of all, giving us your choicest blessings to succeed in life’s trials and tribulations.
The contribution of every teacher is irreplaceable. I know that the teacher’s job is not only teaching the school curriculum but also the curriculum of life. To bring notable changes in the education system with changing times, to adopt new strategies in our teaching, molding students in the utmost care, nurturing budding talents, pushing them out of their comfort zone to turn their dreams into reality, polishing the young – developing minds to think stronger, higher and better with every passing day.
Yes, a teacher’s role is heavy but the rewards are rich.
Teachers are the carriers of education and knowledge. Of course, it is a holistic teaching approach which stimulates critical thinking, self-examining of sentiments and moral values.
They mentor the developing and growing minds regarding application of their skills rather than textual knowledge and information. It has been well received that learning is not only reading and reciting but attaining profound awareness about life and situations. They are the architects of generations together.
In today’s world, I have seen that teachers are not getting due respect as it was before. I honestly believe, that it is completely on account of their hard work, dedication and sincerity that professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers are produced. Then, why are they looked down upon?
Just because they don’t earn like the top notch executives in various organizations, they are termed as people coming from middle class families. They have been reduced to the level of caretakers to care for kids when their parents are at work and do the additional job of tutoring them.
As for parents, they are not getting time to even participate in various activities of their children. Whatever little time they have at their disposal is eaten up by recreational things like – television, social networking sites, parties, weekend trips, so on and so forth.
When the child doesn’t perform well, the blame is very easily passed on to the teachers, who slog day and night for their children and also for their own families. As teachers, I think we need to revamp our minds first and maintain our dignity in the society. Otherwise, the word teacher will lose its status and significance in the near future.
Teachers empower students, refine them, hone their skills, make them aware of their abilities and strengths, correct them when they go wrong and finally make them future – ready. They flourish out with confident minds and souls.
Whatever I am today, I owe everything to all my teachers. Every year, I miss this day terribly. Teachers day was one of the best times we had as students. It was extremely different from other schools’ celebration. The hidden dance practices, the role – plays enacting all the teachers, walking the ramp (aka our auditorium stage) in sarees and high heels, finally the whole school filled the auditorium and our permanent DJ Francis crooned the best songs with his finest beats was something which can’t ever be erased from my mind. Being from a missionary school and growing up listening to the wonderful Goan tunes, I have had amazing moments to look back and cherish about.
I still remember the retro dance we performed in our final year and it had got straight selection for the School Annual Fest. Teachers had loved our performance since all the songs were from their era. Now that was the way we connected to your hearts, dancing on your favourite numbers and winning your million dollar smiles. What ‘High Fives’ we had thrown to each other after gathering those wonderful compliments. Hard work and bunking classes for these practices had truly paid off!
Those happy memories will always be alive in my heart.
I am really grateful for giving me those times. I also thank you teacher/teachers for, instilling the values of friendship, discipline, obedience, honestly, dedication, self – respect, teamwork, compassion, generosity, acceptance, composure, creativity, decisiveness, decorum, elegance, leadership, perseverance and last but not the least, wisdom.
I am indebted to my Alma Mater – my school, my college and my teachers who configured my existence, ignited my mind and made me what I am today. I would have been nothing without your contribution in my life. No amount of verbal expressions, no amount of materialistic gifts and no amount of feelings can suffice my gratitude towards you.
Your magnanimity, your selflessness and your passion towards your profession has given me the world’s best gift.
So thank you teacher/teachers & Happy Teachers Day! 🙂
I hope you got to reminisce about your teachers. Do not forget to call them and let them know that you are thinking of them. If you have any stories about your teachers that you would like to share with us or your teacher/teachers, do let us know.
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