Teacher's Day Special: A Tribute To Hardworking Teachers Across The Country

A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom. Ever Garrison

Teacher's Day is around the corner, and this year it's going to be different. With schools not scheduled to open anytime soon, it's going to be an online affair this time.

Teaching a class requires more than skill or knowledge, it needs patience, dedication, creativity, and the ability to keep the class engaged. As parents, we learned all this the hard way during the lockdown when we had to take over teaching our children for a while. Then online classes rescued us and teachers sprung back into action. We asked a few teachers what keeps them going, the challenges of online classes, and more.

Smrithi Eliza Som

Middle and secondary school biology teacher at Montfort School, Yercaud 

The first few days of the pandemic were quite difficult. Online learning was a new experience for all of us. I am new to teaching and although I am good with technology, I wasn't too comfortable with online classes. One challenge of online classes is that we don't have control over the class. In a classroom, I maintain eye contact with my students and give them the freedom they want, while also taking control of the class. This has been difficult with virtual sessions. Initially, I was overwhelmed to see parents present during online classes. But gradually, I got used to it. I would say online classes have made me more patient as a teacher.

We're gearing up to conduct online tests as well, as we're not sure when schools will reopen. We're starting with multiple-choice questions first so that the children can get used to online tests. Although we started at a slow pace, I think this is a great opportunity for teachers to use technology to their advantage. On this Teachers Day, I ask all my colleagues to stay positive and make the best use of the situation to become a pro in virtual teaching.

Anita Kaya

Primary and middle school English teacher, high school French teacher, and photography teacher for grade 8, Vikaasa World School, Madurai

Online classes have helped teachers and students grow together. We now know how to connect from our living rooms. However, we do miss the one-on-one connection that plays a special role in student-teacher interactions. The bond that develops between a child and the teacher when they spend the whole day together is also missed.

I enjoy being a teacher and the fact that I can still connect with children through online platforms has been an absolute blessing. I think that being able to look at their faces and teach them is more than one can ask for during this time of uncertainty. I wish all the teachers a very happy Teachers' Day. I encourage all students and teachers to strive to LEARN and RELEARN, upgrading ourselves in the process. COVID-19 has thrown up a great opportunity, and we need to make the best of it to prove ourselves. Together, we can create a new world order. Together, we can show the world that nothing can stop us.

Alka Kapur

Principal, Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi

Teaching during the pandemic has been a surreal experience for all of us, new and challenging at the same time. We have spent all our lives teaching in a classroom with chalk and a blackboard. Being in a class full of students, talking to them, and physically interacting with them is quite different from monitoring them through a computer screen. It's challenging because it's difficult to understand whether the student has grasped the concept. Also, setting up the class and waiting until everyone settles down takes up a lot of time before every class.

We are responsible for the future of our beloved students. It's indeed a tough time for children, parents, and teachers alike, but we need to keep things going. We are fortunate to have a digital space to conduct classes and bridge the learning gap during the lockdown. Although this year is challenging, I would like my students and fellow teachers to not lose hope, and trust the Almighty. We are a team, and we need to stay optimistic in this crucial time. This year's Teacher's Day might not be the same, but we will definitely commemorate this day virtually. Our prayers will be heard, and as a nation and a world, we will get through this as well.

Shweta Barailly

Secondary school math teacher, Euro School, Kathmandu, Nepal

When the pandemic started I was worried about completing the syllabus on time. Online classes have solved this problem to a great extent. Online learning has its challenges, and the biggest one is possibly the erratic power supply. After the first two or three power disruptions, I decided to get an inverter. How can all students afford this? Besides, many students don't have laptops or desktops and need to log in through phones. With the small screens of mobile phones, children find it difficult to grasp concepts clearly, and eventually, they lose interest. A slow internet connection is another problem.

Another issue is that there's no personal touch. In a classroom, when the teacher is in front of the students, it's easier to keep them engaged. During online classes, students are easily distracted and don't pay complete attention to the class.

Despite these difficulties and obstacles, my love for teaching and the sight of my students keep me going. The fact that my students are not losing out on their school year is something that keeps me going as well. I take this opportunity to remind my fellow teachers and students to not lose hope during these difficult times. Times are changing, but we must change with them. Sometimes, parents may raise questions that may seem illogical, but we must never lose heart. To children, I would like to say that this is a challenging phase. But, keep your chin up, give it your best and you will eventually succeed!

Simmi Kalsi

Primary school English teacher, DAV Public School, Mumbai

Teaching has been a mixed experience during the pandemic. With online classes and connectivity issues, it has been quite difficult to connect with the children like we would in a normal classroom. Children are under the watchful eyes of their parents at all times now, and some of them are inhibited from being their natural selves. For example, when a question is posed to a child, parents expect their child to answer it and the child feels a certain kind of pressure. Teachers also feel that they are under parents' scrutiny all the time. On the plus side, it's great to see the students feeling comfortable at home. The notes reach them as PDFs, and the lessons are available to them at the click of a button.

Times are changing and the concept of weekends has already changed. Parents and children are cooped up together in what seems like an unending, extended weekend. Children definitely miss being around their peers and teachers. I still remember how one day, I forgot my glasses at home and my students asked me about it as soon as I entered the classroom. Such moments are greatly missed. This Teacher's Day, I urge all the teachers and students to stay afloat. There will be a lot more changes with the New Education Policy, but I am sure we can deal with all the difficult changes.

Teachers are always up for new challenges and from what these teachers say, online learning is just another step in their ladder of learning. ParentCircle wishes all the wonderful teachers out there who want only the best for their students, a very happy Teachers Day!