Dear Readers,
I don’t want to sound like a fossil by going all philosophical on you, whilst at the same time, I’m trying my best to get through to you. I’m not very old and can definitely relate to your perspective better, because of which I chose to dedicate my life to this field though my educational qualification could have given me a very well paying corporate job. But you need to be more EMPATHETIC towards your teachers and realise how INVALUABLE they truly are. Of course, with the exception of those teachers who unnecessarily hurt students.
I never understood the VALUE of my teachers until I became one myself. Although I’m technically a trainer, there’s isn’t much of a difference and it all boils down to dealing with students, their attitudes, and making sure that they LEARN what I intend to teach them. Trust me! It’s really CHALLENGING on the other side! Honestly speaking, I wasn’t notorious or a troublemaker and have never hurt any of my teachers. But it was when I dealt with the mischief that I perceived to be HARMLESS when experienced from the OTHER SIDE is when I started feeling so guilty that I started praying for the forgiveness of all my teachers.
I get a lot of queries from students who complain about their teachers and I’ve definitely supported the genuine cases, but what I’m trying to make you all understand is, how most of you complain about handling one person without giving a thought as to how that same teacher has to HANDLE MANY of you. Each one of us is different and each one of us have a different way of understanding things...Now, take a step back, relax, and deeply understand how a teacher might face hell when students don’t respect, respond or reciprocate? The request I have for all you students is to simply FOLLOW THESE 3 Rs:
RESPECT — Remember that your teachers will ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU throughout your lives and are most often considered as SECOND PARENTS. They are the most FORGIVING and will help you even if everyone ABANDONS you.
RESPOND — I just don’t mean reply, I’m asking you to think deeper and truly respond to the efforts of your teachers. Appreciate them and make them understand that their efforts are not going to waste.
RECIPROCATE — Do your best to make your teachers FEEL and EXPERIENCE who you are. Do your best to help them out and learn to not give a damn about your peers if they tease you for being genuinely interested. I’ve been ridiculed and bullied and was accused of trying to become the teacher’s pet... But that required a lot of effort which others weren’t willing to put! It’s okay if you’re not in the popular group just because they expect you to disrespect or ridicule your teachers.
Lastly, you might be having a ball of a time, using all your intelligence to give your teachers a hard time. Just remember this, when everyone else gives you a hard time, it’s only your teachers who will help, in cases where even your parents might not... Is it really worth losing them ever?
With Regards,
Adarsh Benakappa Basavaraj
‘The Coach’
