A tribute to teachers

I have never really thought about teachers, until my kids started school. I take what they do for granted. Admittedly, not all teachers are shining superstars. But, the "good" teachers are priceless and precious miracles.

I think that very few professions have as much influence in molding and shaping lives, as much as teachers do. 

The teachers, who make sense of complicated concepts. 

The teachers, who believe in the students even when they don't believe in themselves. 

The teachers, who day after day, come back to the same bunch of students with a passion for teaching and imparting knowledge. 

In return, many of them hardly get a word of acknowledgement. They are underpaid and under-appreciated. Yet, they selflessly do what they do, because they love and accept the kids, and they love their jobs.

To those teachers, a big Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

What I remember from Daniel's early years is a child who found it very hard to cope with change. When I took him to a church daycare at BSF, he cried the whole time. I persisted for the week, thinking that I was doing the right thing for him by helping him adjust.
I was also told that if I didn't go through with this, he would continue crying and never learn the social skills needed to be away from his parents. Maybe, all that was true. But, I was miserable with the whole situation, so I stopped attending those classes and didn't take him to the daycare, anymore. 

A year passed, and we decided to enroll Daniel in a preschool. The same pattern repeated with the separation anxiety. The only difference was that he calmed down after some time, with the teachers' help. But, the poor kid was so anxious that he would have diarrhea on school days. This was in addition to his sensory processing issues. I told myself that it was just a couple of hours two days a week, so we would get through this. 

When Kindergarten started, we were nervous and apprehensive about it, especially with a new, bigger school. To our surprise and amazement, it was like a light bulb went on. He started enjoying school. We wouldn't be able to function in any single aspect of our life, if it weren't for God's mercy and grace.

His kindergarten teacher was amazing - with boundless patience, intelligence, and the sensitivity to deal with kids with different personalities. Daniel adored her. The effort of the teachers who taught Daniel before this, bore fruit (though they might never know). Now, he is in first grade and goes to school for the whole day, and loves it.

I'm grateful that Naomi transitioned and liked the school environment. If we didn't have those experiences with Daniel, I would think that all kids learn and thrive in the same way and in set timelines.

To those wonderful teachers - thank you for listening to the kids' stories. Thank you for being excited for the big events, even if it is something as mundane as a dinosaur story. I bet you have heard countless such stories, yet you listen and remember with rapt attention. 

Thank you for consoling my kids in rough times.

Thank you for doing it all despite not getting paid what you should be. Despite, disinterested students and parents who remain unappreciative. Despite, having to constantly buy for students with your own money or work off the clock because of budget constraints. 

Please know that your dedication has not gone unnoticed.
That dedication is visible on my son’s face as he eagerly reaches for his activity books. It’s clear in the barely recognizable letters of a preschooler’s name that my daughter wrote all on her own. 

Thank you for being a teacher. Thank you for caring about your students. Your students aren’t just students - they’re someone else's babies. Yet, you welcome them as your own. 

I may be letting go of their hands, but in my heart, it feels just like I am cradling my newborn and gently placing them in your arms.
Thank you for your outstretched arms.