A Teacher on Her Students

CHITRA SRINIVAS





Teaching is my passion, and luckily , my experience as a teacher has been beautiful, emotional and fulfilling. Over the years, I've watched the student-teacher equation evolve: from guru as God, guru as allknowing -“Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara, Guru sakshat, Param Brahmn tas mai Shri Guru vai namaha“ -to guru as friend and equal, as someone who doesn't always know best.Has teaching changed the way I think? Yes, most certainly. My students have shown me how to manage time. I marvel at how deftly they juggle sports, academics, dance, theatre and pottery , for instance. I have learnt how to accept failure as I see my students taking success and failure with equanimity . I admire their confidence as they can go up on stage and speak extempore. I see them contesting an election, lose it, and yet work with the winner for the common good.
My students have often shown me how to keep cool during a crisis, with a “Don't worry , Ma'am, it can be done!“ I am often amazed at their openness, at their ability to think critically , accept reasoned answers. What has struck me most is their daring: to chart unknown territories, to be constantly redefining rules, unafraid to be original.
I have taken so many things for granted. Students remind me that my learning is not complete and never will be. Above all, my students have taught me to be young, to never grow old. I have to be up-todate in everything, in order to keep up with them.