My Students are My Teachers

Memories will remain forever and ever. It might be good and it might even be bad but whatever it is, it is here to stay. As steps are taken in life, the chapters are written. Each chapter has its own significance and when one would to look back, it depends on the individual, whether he or she sees it positively or negatively.

I never knew that school life was the best memory anyone would have. I still look back to those days as a student in Convent and Dr. Burhanuddin, I indeed learnt a lot about building and strengthening one's character. A school is a place where one can shape their future based on the facts laid in front of us from our teachers. Who we will be in the future begins in a place called classroom.

I am a teacher now and I am still learning. Every day, it is a lesson to be learnt. My students are my teachers. They only see one person in front of them but I see 20 teachers in front of me. How remarkable the experience is. Who I am as a teacher is shaped by my own students. If I am angry, it is because my students made me angry, if I am happy, it is because my students made me happy, if I am inspired, it is because of my students, if I am motivated, it is because of my students, if I cry, it is because of my students. The list goes on but the fact is- I am still a student and I react like a student.

If I am a student then the rest are my teachers. Being a teacher is seeing oneself in that position. We need to see what our students see. Every lesson needs to be planned with us in it. How would we learn and how it should be approached.

Even though I am an English teacher today, I did not acquire the language well because of my past English Language teachers. I was not taught how to write or read or even speak in English. I aced the subject because it was spoken at home. Being the youngest, I had the privilege of learning the tricks from my sisters and brother.

I only knew how grammar worked when I started teaching. I learned how to comprehend a text because I started learning and I learned how to write because I started doing research. The point is that, I started teaching myself for my students. My students opened my eyes to see what I am capable of and how I can use my capabilities to teach them. That is why I address them as my teachers. They taught me things I never knew, I knew.

Students in a classroom can make a huge difference in the life of a teacher. They are a blessing in disguise.

(In honour of my past, present and future 'teachers'. Thank you)