Teachers shape our early life

As I step into this New Year 2010, I went back in time to re-live my early schooling years and to say a profound thank you to all my teachers. Each one of them lived beyond their call of duty in shaping my academics, which then helped shape my personal and professional life. To honour their privacy, I will not name them here.

St. Andrews High School, Saidabad, Hyderabad (I studied here from LKG to Class VI).

English teacher: In class III, she insisted that we read all the signboards as fast as we could on our daily school bus journey (for some it was walk to the school, for some others it was a crammed rickshaw journey). I started reading the signboards (big and small from a moving bus) and over time picked up the art of reading them fast and comprehending them quickly.

She also made us listen to the “All India Radio” 8 am News in English every day and write notes while we heard the news on the “Live Radio” and then recite them in the early morning prayer at 9 am. This practice, I believe, helped lot of us sharpen our listening our public speaking skills considerably. She also suggested that we read “The Hindu” daily newspaper.

The then Principal: She picked select few students and took personal care in improving our skills in various subjects. I was fortunate to be among the select few. I never felt the necessity to go to a paid tuition, all the doubts got clarified in this forum.

David Memorial High School, Tarnaka, Secunderabad (Class VII to Class X)

The then Headmistress, who later left to work at another school in Habsiguda during our Class X. Even though she no longer was with our school, she spared her valuable personal time to teach us various subjects at her residence after the school hours and weekends to ensure that we excel at our class X state board exams. I truly admire her for her time, moral values and unselfish nature.

I first saw her at her office in my Class VIII, when I fought with her over a mathematics mid-term exam answer. The marks for the question in dispute would not only give me a 100/100 in Maths paper, but also help me topple the consistent class topper, Mr. X. I managed to argue forcefully and convinced her. She over wrote the marks with red ink and changed the totals and expected to see a smile on my face. I wasn’t smiling – she asked why? I didn’t have an answer. I guess I was still angry that things were not right the first time around and I had to literally fight to make things happen the right way. From that day to several years down the lane I enjoyed getting mentored by her. She taught us many subjects but more so many values and morals in life that we still try to uphold.

Mathematics Sir: Maths was my favourite subject. I completed class X mathematics during the summer vacation after class IX. So when the actually class started i had all the answers ready for each chapter. I was the first one to answer any question asked by our Sir. He was greatly impressed. He let me teach few concepts, this is the first time, I believe, I learnt teaching skills. This also meant that i had time to go that extra mile in answering tougher problems. This meant several sessions with our Sir, he taught me how to try and solve each problem in multiple ways.

I will write about my college, engineering and MBA teachers some other day. The important message is catch hold of good mentors early on in your life. Together with our parents and friends they truly help shape our destiny.

Good Luck!