Essay: My Students And I

Our prime purpose in life is to be useful to humanity and leave this world a little better when we die. Being a teacher, I think I might be able to do just that!

Eid Cards from my students.

In my first year as a teacher, I was determined to be strict and stern with my students! I decided I would never get personal with them. I felt that was the best way to teach them. I thought if I could control them, I would easily educate them! I felt that teachers made rules. I believed a silent class meant discipline! I thought if pupils were quietly listening to my lecture, they were grasping it too! I expected my class to be serious at all times! However, after only a few months, I realized I was wrong because I found the silence miserable and irritating!

I  began to open up a bit. I became friendly and caring. I smiled at my students more often and talked to them about their likes and dislikes. They were happy! Soon I observed my students felt at home in my presence! My classes became lively, and interesting and most of the students started liking me. They became enthusiastic and started to actively participate in classroom activities. They also wanted to know me as a person and I welcomed them. I also praised them candidly both verbally and in writing whenever they did well.

 

Sometimes, I gave them free periods and they enjoyed it, especially when I didn’t stop them from giggling and chatting! In fact, I myself giggled and chit-chatted with them! I also made it a point to compliment them if they looked good, especially girls, when they looked fresh or their skin glowed, I made sure they knew I had noticed them.

Eid Greetings from my students. 🙂

Shortly afterwards, I started “Speaking Classes” where we would discuss various topics that appealed to them. The discussion classes became a hit among students as they were given the opportunity to speak their minds. This was also a great opportunity for me to establish a connection with them!

My students trust me! Many of them freely share their most bizarre ideas with me. Sometimes, they even pour their heart out. They know I’m good at keeping secrets! 😉 

My students on Mother’s Day!

Being a teacher for almost 9 years now, I have understood that good teachers change lives mostly because they touch lives! They leave a mark on the souls, they leave their students with delightful memories!

A smile of true joy spreads across my face to know that I’m loved and cherished by most of my students! I have realized that there’s nothing more beautiful than a student-teacher relationship. It’s so special! It’s so unique! Even when some of the students become a pain, even when they become trouble, all I can ever think of is how to make them better human beings! We laugh and learn together. We fool around and we make so many splendid memories together, each day everyday!

Kirrat Soomro and Sana Mansoor. Among my favourites!

Tanzeel, Naeem, Raj and Abdul Rafay

I find happiness in having a deep connection with my students and being able to see the twinkle in their eyes, the mischief behind their smile, the sadness in their tone, the hurt in their voice! I find happiness in knowing they respond to me more than they respond to other teachers!

Teaching is my lifeline, classrooms are my sanctuary and my students are my oxygen! This is my life! This is my whole world! And when I die, I want to be remembered as someone, who made a significant difference in the lives of her students.

!

My students have taught me to laugh, to sing, to love! My students have taught me to live! Though I’m their teacher, I have learnt some great life lessons from them and I’m so grateful to them all!

 

Hassan Mujtaba, one of my favourite students as a volunteer at a hospital.

Teaching gives me a high! When I’m with my students,I feel like I’m Oz, the Great and Powerful! I think the best part about being a teacher is that you leave a little of yourself in all your students whether they want it or not! That’s one way of living forever!

Taha Abbas

 

 

 

Written By Shumila Malik