Saturday, March 20, 2010

Celebrating Teachers: Bihar Diwas?

This was sent to me by someone who is making a difference: Dr. Smriti Singh at IIT Patna.
Moral of the story: we make the world. But in this world of fleeting representations, things last between cups of tea or between one sundowner and the next. Take your pick. But read.



TEACHERS WOW!!


The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He
argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher,
Barbara. Be honest. What do you make?"

Barbara, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, and then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents
CAN'T make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make? (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table)


I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding ISN'T
EVERYTHING.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in maths. They use their God given
brain, not the man-made calculator.


I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to
know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life (Barbara paused one last time and then continued.)

Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant.

You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

What do you make Mr. CEO?

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER, EVERY CEO, AND EVERY PERSON YOU KNOW.

Even all your personal teachers like mothers, fathers, brothers,
SISTERS, COACHES, AND OTHERS.

A profound answer!!!

3 comments:

  1. Sir, U do make A difference always!!! can't thank U enough for the Teachaer that u have been to me..

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting reply of an intelligent teacher.We teach not by compulsion.We are teachers by choice.I resigned my job in Bihar State Electricity Board in 1965 in order to Join Bihar College of Engineering,Patna University as a Lecturer,where my wife was already teaching in the Botany Department.I have students whom I taught at PU,IITD and Jamia allover in the world including China,Saudi Arabia,UK,USA and many more countries.They is write to me on Teachers Day(except a few who are at very high position and have forgotton me).We,teachers,make human beings--not money.

    S.I.Ahson

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sadly, money is statistics, making human beings is a footnote. But it is truly wonderful to see the intensity of commitment from someone who has made a difference in different parts of the world. Hope it inspires Gen Next of the teaching community.
    Speaking of university teaching, I think the UGC has got it wrong somewhere. When a teacher is appointed, much is scrutinized: grades, research and what have you. The only thing that is not evaluated is one's ability to teach and the construct of the person doing the teaching. The UPSC has in its wisdom switched the parameters for intake examinations. It is immensely important to check the human dimensions of the teachers to be appointed. Else, the foundations on which the nation is built will continue to be source of concern.

    ReplyDelete