The Beginning of a Teacher

 5th June, 2006 

I started my career as a Pre-Primary teacher in one of the reputed schools of Nagpur. At 21, I had just finished my Post Graduation in Human Development and was full of energy and confidence to start my new life in the field of Education. I still remember that day in the month of May, 2006 when I received the call from the school, congratulating me for being appointed as a Nursery (age 3-4) teacher. I was on the top of the moon and was ready to implement everything that I have learned during my Post graduation practical sessions with kids. 

I was the youngest teacher in the school and was welcomed by everyone with open arms. The Principal of the school was not only a knowledgeable lady but also very humble. She always welcomed new ideas and encouraged us to think out of the box during the training sessions. We started working almost a month before the students would join for the new academic year. Charts, lesson plans, flash cards, manipulative, books… you name it and we had everything ticked in our list in order to be a ‘Super-Teachers’. My energy knew no bounds, as if dopamine was released in my body making me extremely happy. The positive and encouraging environment of the school boosted my energy even more and I came up with several new ideas to welcome my students and keep them engaged in the classroom. I was super confident that my kids would love me from Day 1 and my class would be the best amongst all the Pre-primary classes.

Then came the day for which all of us were working tirelessly from the past one month. Classes were sparkling with rainbow colour charts, balloons, manipulative, books, etc. Nursery rhymes could be heard in the corridors. Helpers did a fantastic job of keeping every nook and corner clean. Not a speck of dust was visible to my naked eyes. Instructions were flying everywhere and we all were on our toes in our best attire. 

Now, I was and am not the kind of person who would make a big deal when it comes to looking good. I hardly apply make-up but that day I got up really early and took extra efforts to look my best. I wore my mom’s silk saree with matching jewellery, applied normal make-up, let my hair down and wore my high heels. A look in the mirror and I told my inner-self, “Today, is going to be the best day with my students”. 

By 8:45 am the students started arriving with their parents. We were instructed to stand at the welcome point and take the students from their parents to our classroom. What happened next was something that I never imagined in my most unimaginable dreams. There was a storm of parents and students. Sound of nursery rhymes in the corridor was completely dimmed by the hauling of Pre-primary kids and shouting of their parents. Nursery kids being 3 years old were not at all ready to leave the security of their parents’ arms. Even some of the parents were reluctant to let their ‘apple of the eye’ to go to a complete stranger. And from there the series of challenges started. 

The first challenge was to very politely make the child come to me and take him/her to my class. After what seemed like hours but were merely a few minutes, I felt half of my energy was already drained out. Once all the parents left, I was in my classroom with 48 very unhappy and miserable kids. It was me and them for three hours together for that day. Within few seconds I revised the schedule planned for the day in my mind and felt enthusiastic again. I greeted my students with a big smile and in response, I heard the hauling with increased decibel. This made even those kids cry who were trying their best to adjust to this new change in their daily routine. Before I could start any activity a child ran outside the classroom and two more followed him. I immediately ran after them and carrying them in my arms brought them back in the classroom. But this seemed to trigger the rebellious beast which was hidden in the chest of some of the students. Now most of them wanted to run outside the classroom to their home. I was a bit quicker this time and closed the door without putting a latch and stood in front of it. Then I bent on my knees and started consoling them in the most polite tone that I have ever used. 

The second challenge was the language barrier. Most of the kids knew only Marathi and could not understand what I was speaking in English. The problem was I did not know the ABCD of Marathi. I tried using a lot of gestures and expressions to convey what I wanted to say. Meanwhile, some of the students went to display section and started playing with the storybooks. One of them tore the pages and at that moment my heart was in my mouth as the book was from the school’s library. I ran towards them, collected all the books and kept them in the cupboard. This few second of opportunity was enough for those who wanted to escape the boundaries of my class to open the door again. I ran again and repeated my previous action which seemed to annoy one of the kids. He started punching me on my waist really hard with his fist. Before I could stop him another child took inspiration from the first one and bit me sharply on my leg. It was so sudden and so unexpected that a loud cry came out of my mouth and tears sprang in my eyes. Now, I was the one who was the most miserable in my class, the one who had no idea what to do with all the planned activities and strategies. I just wanted to sit in a corner and cry shamelessly. But a little pride in me stopped me from doing that in front of 48 toddlers. 

Luckily my principal came to my class at that time and took the entire charge. Within a few minutes, the whole class was settled. She gave me a sympathetic and understanding smile and went back to her office. The rest of the hours passed, in which I sang a few rhymes and tried my best to keep the kids engaged and happy, however, most of them looked otherwise. Once the students left my Principal met me. I was all ready for a lot of firing but she touched my shoulder and said, “It will get better. Today was the first day. Don’t think too much and go home and rest. You gave your best”. I couldn’t hold myself any longer yet waited more few more minutes to let my tears flow freely when I reach my hostel. Once inside my room, I threw myself on the bed and cried to my heart’s content. Not only my heart but my whole body was paining due to high heels and continuously standing or you can say running for hours in the morning. I felt like a complete loser, a failure and believed that I chose the wrong profession.

But then I have never been the one to give up easily. That night I reflected on the entire incident and jotted down my strengths and weaknesses. The next day I was again enthusiastic and energetic to start a new day. A bun replaced my loose hair, flats replaced my high heels and salwar suit replaced my saree and I went to my school to meet my little angels again. The second day was not any better than the first day but it wasn’t any worse and I felt positive that soon everything will fall into place. Days passed and after almost 15 days my classroom was the happiest place for me. My students and I developed a beautiful and natural bond which we cherished throughout that academic year. I remember the day when the same student who bit my leg hugged me and called me ‘mumma’ instead of ‘ma’am’, then laughed and said “oops, sorry… but you are just like my mumma”.  That day too, tears sprang in my eyes but this time it wasn’t because of misery but because of happiness.

It’s been 14+ years being an educator. From starting my career as a Pre-primary teacher to now working as a Primary Coordinator I have realized one thing – I might have taught my students how to read, speak and write, I might have taught them various subject but they have taught me some very valuable lessons in my life. Like Day 1 on my job I learnt:

• No matter how prepared you are, life can always throw surprises at you which you are completely unprepared for.

• No matter how confident or skilful you are, sometimes you need someone else to show you how things are done.

• Embrace failure and pull up your socks. You have still not given your best.

• It’s okay to not succeed in your first attempt. It’s not the end of the world.

• Love can win all.

With that, I come to the end of my blog. Wishing all the wonderful educators around the world, who are working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of their students, ‘A very Happy Teacher’s Day’. ☺

Do share your most memorable moment as a teacher. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Author: Khushboo Kharat