AMREEN SHAIKH
Our great teachers face several challenges with every coming day but never quit. One of the major challenges for them is to stay up-to-date with the learning technology. With progress in technology, the teaching pattern is constantly changing. Every year, there are new apps, websites and other technology tools created to improve the learning process. It can also be difficult for teachers to manage the behaviour of students along with staying up-to-date with the most recent classroom trends. Teachers have a huge responsibility of shaping the future generation for which they need support and understanding from the students and parents which is lacking today. Parents do not understand the teachers and at times make allegations against them because of the wrong done by their own child or if he/she is unable to reach their expectations. Teachers have to deal with students from different backgrounds and communities and have the daunting task of inculcating good values within them along with imparting knowledge. At times, teachers do not get a response from students, and as a result, it becomes difficult for them to communicate and interact with students. In such cases, they motivate the students and help them to rise up, for which they have to be very patient and understanding. Nowadays, there is an increase in competition, due to which teachers have to face pressure from school administrators to contribute in making their school the best. These are just a few challenges faced by them.

ANISHA HOLKAR
The information boom and the subsequent knowledge explosion have led to tremendous changes in the life of individuals today, and its effect is also witnessed in the field of education. With global connectivity facilitated by ICT, searching for any information today has become a child’s play. In this digital era, the coming generations are quite adept at handling, managing and working with technology. Even young kids and toddlers, probably by way of their genetic inheritance, are able to operate smartphones and other modern gadgets. Thus, these gadgets have been embedded within the daily routine of modern lives. Due to this transformation, there is a contention among some intellectuals about whether teachers can be replaced by computers. One of the most common and pressing classroom challenges for teachers is the fact that some students are not receiving adequate support outside of the classroom. Teachers can work with students only while they’re at school.

MEHAK AJWANI
Teaching is widely considered a noble career because of the role teachers play in shaping the lives of students. Being a teacher can be a very rewarding job. However, teaching is getting more and more complex and challenging these days. Some challenges may include getting parents actively involved. For example, it’s not always an easy task to try to encourage parents to help their children with homework routine, time management, etc. Another challenge is that different students have different learning styles. Yet another challenge is the shortage of teaching resources and increasing classroom sizes. Due to the increase in classroom sizes, teachers are unable to provide individual attention to their students.

Teachers have to upgrade their knowledge and skills to be able to teach effectively. In addition, the ever-changing nature of the education system can make it difficult for teachers to keep up with the latest developments and innovations. A teacher has to always strive to turn a challenge into an opportunity. Another significant challenge that teachers face is the lack of appreciation and respect they receive from society. Teaching requires knowledge of different subjects, and it demands excellent communication, motivation and organizational skills. Being a teacher is a job that requires a high level of dedication, patience and compassion.

SALONI WAGHCHOURE
A teacher is a multi-tasking, educational rockstar who lives to inspire and loves to encourage. Teachers are the epitome of the word ‘all-rounder’, but we also need to acknowledge all the challenges that teachers face today. One of the biggest challenges in a teacher’s life is to get to know each student and the different learning needs of students. Some students are quick learners, whereas most of the students take time to grasp the concepts. Teachers try to help the students with personalised teaching strategies, but it is difficult to manage time in an already packed, time-bound curriculum. Catering to the needs of every student individually is a big burden for teachers because it affects their lesson plans. Apart from correcting exam papers, teachers have to do a lot of paperwork and keep track of the details of each student. It is very hectic for them. Teachers do not have a self-care routine, and they never make time for themselves, which may lead to burnout.

TANAYA GURAV
After the Covid pandemic, there has been a drastic change in the education system. Due to this, the teachers had to adapt to the increasing technology and upgrade themselves. The students are now less communicative than before, and their academic progress, in some cases, has slowed down too. The teachers are trying their best to cope with all of this along with handling their personal lives. School administrations are putting pressure on teachers for their best performance, as competition has increased in all areas. According to a survey done among school teachers, it was revealed that 9 out of 10 teachers have seen a significant increase in their workload during and after the pandemic. Parental support is an important factor in a teacher’s life so as to develop the young minds. Since the pandemic, parental expectations have increased significantly. Teachers have been faced with the challenge of meeting these elevated expectations while they navigate the complexities of virtual instruction and dealing with the impacts of the pandemic on their students’ learning. In spite of all of these challenges, teachers work effortlessly towards the betterment of children and shape their future. May God bless them in all their endeavours.

Through candid responses and heartfelt reflections, the students of St Charles School provide a poignant and insightful look into the realities faced by their teachers. They recognize the immense dedication, creativity, and resilience required to foster a supportive and effective learning environment amidst these challenges. Hats off to our dear Teachers! Happy Teachers’ Day!

Get the digital edition of the September 2024 issue to read the full article.

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As the country gets ready to celebrate Teachers’ Day on September 5, hoping that schools in many States will reopen in early September, we at The Teenager Today (formerly The Teenager) are mourning the loss of a very special teacher, and the “first” editor of the magazine, Fr Mark Fonseca, who took over the reins of the one-year old periodical from its founding editors, J. Maurus and Aloysius Rego. He left us for his eternal reward on August 2, 2020.

Besides being editor of The Teenager for two terms, he taught many of us to speak the English language the way the British speak, with special emphasis on correct pronunciation and grammar. He taught me early lessons in journalism, and literally made me write short articles which he published regularly in The Teenager of those years, giving me the confidence to write for other periodicals, as well.

Born at Kandivli, North Mumbai, he did his early studies at St Andrew’s High School, Bandra, and then joined St Xavier’s College, Mumbai, graduating from there in 1953. Keenly interested in reading, Fonseca frequently visited the Examiner Press Bookshop, not far from the College. Regular visits to this premier Book Centre, and proximity to the variety of books he read there, gradually led him to join ST PAULS, the Institute that owned the Centre.

After the initial training and study of languages in Mumbai and Allahabad, he was sent to Italy for further studies at the completion of which he returned to India and was appointed the Editor of The Teenager, in Allahabad (U.P.), founded there a year ago in November 1963.

After nearly six years, he went to Los Angeles (U.S.A.) to do his post-graduate studies in Mass Communication. His studies completed, and returning to India, he was appointed Director of the Correspondence Course in Journalism at the Regional Communication Centre, AMRUTHAVANI, at Hyderabad. After a term of three years there, he came back to Allahabad to take up the responsibility of the Editor of The Teenager, a second time.

After a brief stint of services rendered at different places, including Africa, he came back to his native Mumbai, to join the Editorial sector of Better Yourself Books, where at the ripe age of 88, he breathed his last. May his soul rest in peace! We lovingly dedicate this issue of The Teenager Today to Fr Mark Fonseca, teacher, mentor and pioneering editor.

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We at THE TEENAGER TODAY gratefully remember that it was Fr Aloysius Rego, an outstanding teacher, who co-founded the magazine with J. Maurus, 56 years ago in the city of Allahabad, now renamed Prayagraj. We pay homage to their revered memory as the country celebrates the Teachers’ Day on September 5.

Moreover, unlike other youth magazines, it was from the premises of the two reputed schools in the above city — St Joseph’s Boys School and St Mary’s Convent School — that THE TEENAGER began its journey to the rest of the country. Again, it was with the wholehearted support of the Principals and teachers of the schools where the magazine was introduced, THE TEENAGER found and still finds its way to the students across the nation. We are deeply grateful to you, dear Principals and teachers, for your unstinting support to us. We continue to count on you.

I remember asking a group of teachers, during a Seminar I gave them a few years ago, as to what they consider teaching to be — a profession or a mission. Here is the gist of what they told me: “Teaching is a mission or commitment, above all. Moulding the mind of a child is a noble mission. We deal with human beings, and no two individuals are the same. We’ve to handle each one of our students with utmost care. Fragile, handle with care is the norm here, while helping them discover and develop the hidden qualities and talents within them…”

Beautiful words befitting millions of our teachers across the country engaged in the mission of setting free the imprisoned angel in every student. Yes, dear teachers, you are precious to us and we are really proud of you! THE TEENAGER TODAY will always be there by your side.

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I have been a teacher for many years; though I do not consider myself to be a very good teacher. But I know one thing for certain: the majority of my students do love me, and many of them, particularly the earlier ones, get connected with me through Facebook or via phone. Even the children I did not take classes for were happy when I went to their class in place of other teachers who were absent.

This prompted me to think about some of the important characteristics of a good teacher and, as a school head now, about the qualities that I look for in my teachers. I believe, if a teacher possesses the following qualities, he/she can be a very good teacher with a large fan following, as well.

1. A good personality and good dressing style

A good teacher must have a very pleasing personality. Students are attracted to teachers with a good personality which leads to better communication, understanding, and ultimately good results. All of us can have a good, decent, likable, and presentable personality. Just dress sensibly, smell good, and be gentle, that’s all.

Our dress influences our students, as well. Without doubt, teachers are role models for their students, so when teachers dress professionally it sends out an important message to them. We teach our students not only academic subjects, but also about how an adult professional looks and behaves. By dressing professionally, we are giving them an implicit message about how we see ourselves and our task. The more professionally we dress, the more we tell our students that they are important. They say we ought to “dress for success,” but the success that we dress for is that of our students. I believe in the following maxim: Dress shabbily, students will remember the clothes. Dress impeccably, students will remember the teacher!

2. Deeper your knowledge, better the education you impart

Another important characteristic of a good teacher is his/her in-depth knowledge of the subject he/she teaches. There is a saying that ‘a teacher is only as good as his knowledge is’. After all, he/she is doing a teacher’s job, which is to teach. If a teacher lacks knowledge of the subject he/she teaches, he/she is never going to make a name for himself/herself as a good teacher. This is your moral duty, too.

An important characteristic of a good teacher is that he/she is firm while in class, but amicable, congenial and approachable outside the class. Some students think of their teachers as enemies, but if a teacher has the above qualities, students will love to talk to them, and share their problems with them without any hesitation.

3. Amicable, congenial and approachable

Yet another very important characteristic of a good teacher is that he/she is firm while in class, but amicable, congenial and approachable outside the class. Some students think of their teachers as enemies, but if a teacher has the above qualities, students will love to talk to them, and share their problems with them without any hesitation. This does not mean that you become too personal with your students, as it can lead to conflict of interest. Being too open can lead you to losing credibility. If you are too friendly, and students start inviting you to movies, parties, etc., you had better take a step back and get into juggernaut mode for a while.

Being friendly has served me well for years. I have been friendly and consistent outside, but a real juggernaut in the class. This is by far the most difficult path to walk on, but I have always loved it. Being friendly is like playing basketball with them or going for an arrangement class and talking to them about their likes, dislikes, etc. This not only helps them open up, but they also develop good conversational skills, while discipline is managed and energies get channelized.

4. A good communicator and a good listener

A valuable asset of a good teacher is his/her communication skills. A teacher should be a good communicator. If the teacher’s communication skills are good, he/she can convey his/her lectures with better results. People love to hear a person who can communicate well.

A good teacher should be a good listener, too. A Turkish proverb says: “If speaking is silver; then listening is gold!” A good listener will always have many friends and fans. People do not want to hear you all the time; they need those who can listen to them, as well.

5. A great sense of humour

A good teacher should also have a great sense of humour. It is a fact that one mostly teaches the next generation and as they are younger than the teacher, they expect to have more fun in class. So, a good teacher is one who can keep up his/her sense of humour, and with his/her communication skills and pleasing personality, also can maintain discipline in the class.

If a teacher is committed, it means that she/he has fallen in love with teaching. A committed teacher will always bring the best out of the last benchers and will be an asset to the institution.

6. Commitment and innovation

If a teacher is committed, it means that she/he has fallen in love with teaching. A committed teacher will always bring the best out of the last benchers and will be an asset to the institution. Apart from commitment, a good teacher should also be innovative to get the best results. The new generation of children that comes to school nowadays brings a variety of novelties with them. There are also children from all sorts of backgrounds. These children think in a completely different way.

Teachers not only should be familiar with the present-day innovations but should also have the desire to incorporate them in their teaching methods. The present-day students will be more responsive to the contemporary teacher than one who is stuck in the last millennium.

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Come September, and most of us tend to think of our teachers (those of today, or those of yesteryears, depending on which age group we belong to) who play a vital role in shaping us into well-developed human beings. Teachers’ Day, which the country celebrates on September 5 every year, provides students, parents and teachers themselves, with a unique opportunity to understand and appreciate the role teachers play in nation building.

Our country has always held teachers in very high esteem, almost considering them as reflections of the divine. The epic Mahabharata has many classic examples. Acharya (the royal teacher) was always considered an integral part of the royal household, his opinion was always sought before the king and his ministers took any important decision, and his word often prevailed over others. No one ordinarily questioned his moral authority.

Rabindranath Tagore is considered as one of the most versatile Indian writers. Yet, Tagore was affectionately called Gurudev by his disciples, and sure Tagore liked it that way. Even today, in many circles he is referred to as Gurudev, and not so much as a writer.

It is said that Dr Radhakrishnan, one of the most erudite Presidents our country has ever had, preferred to be known as a teacher than as the President of India. No wonder, India celebrates his birthday as Teachers’ Day!

Perhaps, we do not have today teachers of the calibre of Rabindranath Tagore or Dr Radhakrishnan. In spite of this, I have no hesitation to say that teaching is still the noblest of all professions that I can think of today. In fact, I would not dare to call ‘teaching’ a profession, as I would not refer to ‘parenting’ as a profession. For me, teaching is, and will continue to be, the very extension of the mission of parenting!

A couple of years ago, I was asked to give an orientation programme for the teachers of a nearby school. As it was one of the first experiences (talking to teachers) for me, I had to do a lot of homework to do justice to the task. In the course of the preparation, I came across many real stories and anecdotes, two of which have specially touched me. I want to share them with you here, as they pertain to the teacher-student relationship.

I have no hesitation to say that teaching is still the noblest of all professions that I can think of today. In fact, I would not dare to call ‘teaching’ a profession, as I would not refer to ‘parenting’ as a profession. For me, teaching is, and will continue to be, the very extension of the mission of parenting!

It was the last day of the year for the first graders; and the teacher gave her class a special assignment — she knew her little ones were fond of drawing and so she asked them to draw a picture of something for which they were especially grateful. In no time everyone completed their assignment — one subtler than the other. One drew a picture of a tree, someone else a cow, and still another, a tap from which water was flowing, etc. But the teacher and the entire class were quite puzzled by little Edward’s drawing. He had simply drawn a hand.

Different children tried to give their interpretations to Edward’s sketch. It must be God’s hand that blesses us every day, one said. Another said that it was a farmer’s hand that provides us food. Someone else said it must be that of the traffic policeman who daily helps us cross the road. Finally, it was Edward’s turn to explain his drawing. He was always a quiet boy, and as usual he quietly got up, looked at the teacher intently and confessed: “Teacher, it is your hand; over the past one year, you have given me much more than anyone else. I’m thankful to you.”

Without any hesitation, I think I can say it is my own story, too, and with young Edward and hundreds of thousands of people all over the country, I would love to say: “Teacher/Teachers, it is your hand; you have given me, possibly with the exception of my mother, much more than anyone else in the world. I am at a loss for words to thank you!”

I am reminded of another anecdote from the life of the great sculptor Michelangelo. Michelangelo was once visiting a building site, when he came across a very odd-shaped, rough-edged block of marble.

“What are you doing with this piece of marble?” Michelangelo asked the builder.

“Nothing,” the builder said. “It is useless!”

“It’s not useless,” the great sculptor replied. “Please send it to my studio. There’s an angel imprisoned in this block of marble that I must set free!”

What Michelangelo said is very true of every committed teacher whose mission and challenge in life is to free the beautiful angel imprisoned in every student who comes to him/her.

I remember once asking a group of teachers as to what they consider teaching to be — a profession or a mission. This is what they told me, or at least the gist of what they told me: “Teaching is a mission or a commitment, first of all. Moulding the mind of a child is a noble mission. We deal with human beings, and no two individuals are the same. We have to handle each of our students with the utmost care. Fragile, handle with care is the norm here, as well. A teacher should be able to discipline his/her student with love and understanding, always helping the student to discover the hidden qualities and talents within, and to develop them.”

Beautiful words befitting millions of our teachers, all over the country, who are engaged in the noble mission of setting free the imprisoned angel in every student of theirs. Keep it up, dear teachers; the nation is proud of you! Three cheers to you!

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What we learn from teachers in our formative years remains throughout our life. Years ago, a professor gave a unique assignment to his graduate students. They were asked to go to the slums; meet up with 200 boys, between the ages of 12 and 16, and study their background and environment, and predict their chances for the future. The students, after consulting social statistics, talking to the boys, and compiling much data, concluded that 90 per cent of the boys would spend some time in jail.

Twenty-five years later another group of graduate students was given the task of verifying the prediction. They went back to the same area. Some of the boys, now grownups, were still there; a few had died, some had moved away, but they did manage to get in touch with 180 of the original 200. They found that only four of them had been to jail. The researchers wanted to know why these men, who had lived in a place that bred crime, had such a surprisingly good record. And the answer was, well, there was a teacher.

They pressed further, and found that in 75 per cent of the cases it was the influence of the same woman. The researchers went to this teacher, now living in a home for the retired teachers, and asked how she exerted this remarkable influence over those children. Could she cite any reason why these boys should have remembered her? “No,” she said, “no, I really can’t.” And then, thinking back over the years, she said, reminiscing, more to herself than to her questioners: “I loved those boys!”

In the cover story of the September 2017 issue, Professor Sherene Aftab explains in a simple style how teachers love and care for their students and spells out how the students can express their gratitude to their gurus and make their teachers proud. What your teachers want from you is that you become successful and empowered to mentor others, by sharing your knowledge and being a positive influence. When you share your knowledge and experience with others you turn out to be a beacon light. The purpose of education is not only to acquire knowledge but also to be an agent of productive and dynamic change in the society — to be a beacon light!

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It is a delightful moment for every teacher when students acknowledge and appreciate the contribution of their teachers towards their progress and achievements. Students often express their gratitude in multiple and unique ways. The fervour increases at Teacher’s Day celebrations when they participate in skits with great enthusiasm, write thoughtful speeches, sing melodious songs and put together engrossing dance programmes to make their day special. A few also paint beautiful artwork and craft lovely cards that the teacher could keep as mementos long after the student has graduated from the class. This Teacher’s Day, one such teacher has drafted a letter for her students. She explains how her students could express their love and respect for her, not just on Teacher’s Day, but how they could continue to express their gratitude to her throughout the year and even long after they have graduated from her class and their school.

My Dear Student,

Do you remember your first day at school? Maybe you don’t because you were too little. Your parents felt a range of emotions from being excited to feeling nervous. They were excited to see you in your tiny school uniform looking all smart and cute; with dreams of the day when you would be all grown up and adult, flying out of their nest to achieve dreams of your own. They surely felt butterflies in their tummies at having to leave you at the doorstep of your new school all by yourself, amid several kids and with a teacher whom neither you nor they had ever met before. They surely worried endlessly till you returned, and breathed a sigh of relief when they saw you running back into their arms with a smile as bright as sunshine and with stories of your first day at school. Your first day at school was certainly amongst one of the most memorable days for your parents, and certainly a life-changing experience for you.

But did you know that there was a teacher who was equally thrilled to see you on your first day of school? She had been planning this day and the rest of her sessions and the semester with you weeks in advance. Just like your parents gushed over arming you with all the things that you would need in your school like a lunch box, water bottle, school bag, uniform and endless other details. Your teacher had been planning her class, her lessons, her crafts, her timetable and endless other activities just to ensure that you would enjoy learning and doing the various activities that she had planned for you all throughout your semester. Did you know? No matter how many times she may have previously welcomed tiny kids to her classroom on their first day of school, no matter how many times she saw those kids grow a year older and turn into students who graduated from her class, every year would continue to be special to her in her own way. Do you know that she could do it all over again with the same energy and excitement year after year in a heartbeat?

Your first day at school was certainly amongst one of the most memorable days for your parents, and certainly a life-changing experience for you. But did you know that there was a teacher who was equally thrilled to see you on your first day of school?

Did she tell you that she still remembers your giggles and your cries? Did she tell you that amongst the various memorable teaching experiences with you, her favourite would always remain the day when you gradually let go of your fear of leaving your parents behind and had begun to trust and love her? Did she tell you that her heart skipped a beat when you mistakenly called her “Mumma”, and that you made her day exceptionally happy when she realized how excited you were to see her after your long summer break? Did she tell you that her heart always swelled with love when you tried to hug her with your tiny arms, when you made those cute and colourful cards for her, even when you came to visit her after you had graduated from her class and even when you remembered her or messaged her long after turning into an adult?

Your parents hoped to see their little baby grow into a knowledgeable and wise adult with a reasonably developed Emotional IQ. Do you know who they relied on to teach you all these valuable lessons and with whom they placed their trust into moulding their precious baby into that gem of an adult? Yes, indeed it was your teacher. Did she tell you that she silently shouldered the responsibility of raising you into a responsible citizen of tomorrow along with your parents?

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Education nowadays is considered a necessary means to secure a decent job rather than to acquire values for life. A fat salary need not necessarily provide happiness and peace. In fact, a value-based education is the spice that gives meaning and fulfilment to our lives. It is here that the role of a teacher is paramount. Helen Keller would vouch that much of her success and achievement in life was owing to the positive and constructive roles played by her teachers. Navniit Gandhi in the cover story explains how today the triangular relationship between teachers, students and parents has drastically changed. Expectations are increasing among all three, but if each one focuses on his or her responsibilities, the teacher-student-parent equation, we can be sure, will harmoniously yield excellent results.

As we celebrate Teacher’s Day on 5th September we fondly remember our own teachers who have played a great role in shaping our life, and in some cases, we must admit, even more than our own parents. Academics alone do not build you up but every extra-curricular activity and teacher’s guidance and personal care also can help you mould your personality. A teacher’s contribution to shaping your life cannot adequately be expressed just by saying ‘Thank You’. But your gratitude to your teachers can certainly be shown in what you become in life, making your teachers proud of you.

The ultimate purpose of education is very meaningfully expressed by the Upanishadic prayer, asatomã sadgamaya, tamasomã jyotirgamaya, mrityormã amritam gamaya…  (from ignorance lead me to truth; from darkness lead me to light; from death lead me to immortality…). You will succeed in your endeavour for excellence and happiness if you march forward with determination, persistence and hard work. Google guru can give you a lot of information but to be rightly educated you need to come to Gurucharanam.

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