Who was your most influential teacher? Why?
The content explores the significance of learning from conception to childhood, highlighting the mother’s role as the first teacher. It also emphasises the evolving educational experience through school. The text discusses the impact of teachers across various eras. Starting from ancient India and extending to modern times, it also highlights the established bond between teachers and students. Notable figures like Chanakya and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam exemplify ideal teacher qualities. The narrative underscores the importance of respect within the teacher-student relationship and reflects on past and current educational methodologies.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Learning starts in the womb and continues throughout childhood, with a mother’s role as the first teacher being crucial.
- The article discusses historical figures like Chanakya and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, showcasing qualities of ideal teachers.
- School serves as a grooming place where children socialize, interact with peers, and begin a structured learning journey.
- The past educational environment differed significantly from today’s, with notable changes in teacher-student relationships and methodologies.
- Respect and a deep bond are essential in the teacher-student relationship, as emphasized through the experiences of various educational eras.
Learning is continuous
Learning is a continuous process that begins in the mother’s womb. When an egg is fertilised, it forms a zygote, which divides to become an embryo. Early learning is subtle and guided by the embryo’s genetic code.
Foetal development
Studies reveal that learning involves the brain’s formation process. This development starts soon after fertilisation. During the embryo’s growth, sensory organs develop. They can perceive impulses. After the baby is born, the brain continues to grow. By the age of five years, 90 per cent of it develops.
Learning starts from home
Registering the impulses, which started in the embryonic stage, now starts becoming structured and organised after birth. The outer environment gives him chances to interact, and by the process of trial and error, learning continues.
The first learning of a baby starts at home. Mother is the teacher who used to talk, tend and play with her baby. In this process, the baby learns new things. He identifies objects and articulates things. These actions help make a sensible story in his mind for comprehension. Undeniably, a mother’s role in shaping the baby is vital. As a first teacher, her role is commendable and laudable.
Nascent brain
With time baby grows, picking up experiences learns about the routines of bathing. eating, playing and sleeping. A baby’s brain is nascent, ready to catch every minute detail and analyse it as per its capacity. Mother Nature is very kind. She knows that taxing the tender brain would be harmful. She gives everything in balance.
Toddler memory
A toddler’s memory is short-lived. It is like the RAM (Random Access Memory) of a computer, which helps in daily work. RAM becomes clear after the computer is shut down, just as the memory of a baby does. At this stage, it doesn’t store.
Cognitive power increases
As a baby inches towards maturity, their cognitive power grows proportionately. The baby gradually becomes more active. The improved brain can analyse and keep things for later use, as and when required. Throughout the journey baby learns and tests the acquired knowledge on various occasions. It gives them a sense of truth and falsehood by experiencing it on a real-time basis.
School – the grooming place
A school is the place where a baby starts learning new things. Babies learn to comprehend things at home by the time they are admitted to play school. At the start, the child lisps, but as they keep conversing, the voice becomes clear and articulated.
Interaction starts
The school provides a new area for a baby to start. Children interact with their peers and new people unknown to them. It is a socialisation of the child which opens a new vista. From the safe cocoon of home, the child faces a new world. It is the children’s world. They make friends, learn life lessons and start studying playfully. It is heartening to see cute little children from different backgrounds sitting in their respective “classrooms”. They learn to interact with each other and their teacher. Incongruous and strange outer world becomes endearing.
Class teacher
The class teacher acts as a link between children, their outer world and their parents. They give dispassionate feedback about the child and suggest ways to overcome the problem the child is facing. Children meet a strange yet tender female figure, other than their mother, in their play schools. The class teacher leaves an impact on children. A child’s memory is short-lived. Thus, the impression of the class teacher fades in the child after they upgraded. After it, the child goes to the next higher grade and seldom meets the former teacher. Sometimes, even when they are face-to-face, the depth of their bond doesn’t show up.
Old vs new
Things and perspectives have radically changed with time. Compared to five or six decades ago, the environment of the schools has changed a lot. Earlier, it used to be informal, especially in vernacular or government schools. The children did not feel attached to their teachers, who used to keep a distance from their students as well. Thrashing and punishment were frequent. Students received it generously from their teachers on petty issues. Teaching was limited to cramming. Concept clearing was not pressed upon because of some obvious reasons. (Edutopia)
Elite schools
Earlier, though there were good schools but were beyond the reach of common parents. The elite schools had an exorbitant fee structure that was unreachable for common parents. There was a significant divide between the two types of schools, making bonding nearly impossible between teachers and students. It is still seen in current times, too. Nevertheless, improved financial positions help modest parents. They get their wards admitted to those schools.
Ideal teacher
Despite disparities, some teachers left their mark on students. A few teachers become ideal for them because of their modest behaviour and their way to impart learning. Students treat their favourite doyen with respect. Though it is also a temporary phase, the unseen bond still exists. The relationship between teacher and student becomes clear at various times and in different contexts.
Teenaged students
The children, now turned to teenagers, progressively move upward, passing each class. They were now in higher classes of the Board and soon became students of graduate classes. The teachers changed, and so did their environment. What remained constant was the mindsets of their teachers and the education system.
Young students
Soon after schooling, the young student joines university for Bachelors degree. A close connection starts developing from this stage. For most students University days are more than a study period. It brings the most memorable moments that sticks to mind. Ex-students remember this period with a pinch of romanticism. Professors are not merely teachers. They are mentor and guides of their students. A graduate who was willing to study further would be admitted to post-graduate classes. A bachelor’s degree is the stepping stone for further studies, research, any profession or academia. Students opt for post graduation to have an insight knowledge of the topic.
Ancient India
In antediluvian India, some teachers gained prominence because of their knowledge and ability to pass on learning to disciples. They attained an unquestionable reputation as a teacher and mentor. Kautilya was one of them. Popularly known as Chanakya, he was not only a teacher but was a philosopher, kingmaker, and ruthless executor. He was an arch-patriot and a great political thinker.
“Gurukul” system
Ancient India had a “Gurukul” education system. Compared to boarding schools of modern times, this setup required pupils to stay with their teachers. They lived with them in their hermitage (Aashram) throughout their study period. This approach helped form a deep bond between a teacher and his disciples who learned lessons of life.
Mother is first mentor
Ancient Indian culture underscores the importance of a teacher. Remember that no one can match the sacrifice and duty of a mother. She serves as a teacher, mentor, and guide to her siblings. Anyone other than the mother is a teacher at a particular point in time. Seeking knowledge from anyone requires humbleness and a protocol to be followed. Lord Ram knew its importance, but his brother Laxman did not. When Lord Rama sent Laxman to seek knowledge from Ravana during his last moments of life, Laxman didn’t follow protocol. He stood at the side of Ravan’s head. Ravan scolded him and sent him back.
Teacher should be affectionate
A seeker needs to be humble, but at the same time, a teacher should also be knowledgeable and affectionate. Knowledge makes a person humble like a fruiting tree. Those who behave oppositely are not treated well by history. Dronacharya, for example, was a sagacious and knowledgeable teacher, but poor and devoid of resources. He was humiliated by his friend Dhrupad. As revenge, he took the task of imparting knowledge to royal princes. He did not like a boy like Eklavya. The behaviour was against the ethics of a true doyen. In ancient Indian culture righteous and knowledgeable teacher is revered and even placed before the Supreme Soul.
In the end
People leave impressions on others by their behaviour, knowledge and demeanour. One needs to be cautious about one’s public behaviour. A teacher who imparts learning should be more cautious. The late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was a teacher, scientist, and missile man. Likewise, Dr S. Radhakrishnan, a noted philosopher, was also a teacher. Both served as the President of India. These and many more luminaries were fine personalities and shining stars. It is their knowledge, acumen and personality that they are alive in the hearts of millions of Indians.
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