Back To School - But Now As Teachers !!

I remember both the girls when they joined  DPS Jaipur as students .That was about 15 years ago, though it seems like yesterday . I don’t have to scratch my memory to recollect what all they did as schoolgirls .They were not the normal run of the mill school children .Both were very independent and focused .I never summoned them to my office for violation of a school rule.!! Both were value driven.

Both have great lineage .Anushree's Dad was working in the Gulf( Muscat ) and she was already exposed to the world outside India .That obviously gave her the edge .She  went on  to acquire her BA  degree from Delhi University after doing her Political Science Honors from Daulat Ram College .Anyone who has studied in Delhi University knows how good the College is .She then went onto study French from the  Alliance Française ,Delhi.She bounces with energy – which is a prerequisite of a good teacher. 

Suhasiny is the granddaughter of India's greatest music director and lyricist – the legendary Madan Mohan- her mothers Dad.I know her parents Sangeeta and Rajive  very intimately and for a number of years we were part of the same party circuit( till i aged !!) ! She has a elder sister Putul , who studied English Hons at St Stephens College and  Oxford !! .  
Suhasiny   was  the School Captain , and  went on to join Lady Sri Ram College and did her Honors in History .She then went  to the School of Oriental and African Studies  in London – the equivalent of MIT / Harvard  for the Liberal Arts !! She travelled the world- London ,Berlin ,Copenhagen ,Stocholm ,Gotenburg ,Salzburg ,Vienna, Praha , Munich ……... I followed her travels very closely.

I talked to them  in my comfortable office , on a wide range of issues .I asked them the obvious question-as to what they found better – being students or being teachers in DPS Jaipur ?. They were unanimous in their opinion that it was far greater fun to be a student

“ Its less responsibility when you are incharge of yourself .Buts it’s a huge responsibility when you are in charge of yourself and so many kids .Its not just about teaching them History or French .Its also about teaching them the discipline of how to learn .Its not about WHAT to learn – its about HOW  to learn”  they said .They crinkled up their noses and continued  

“ We love teaching –but sir there is so much of file work .There are so many formats to fill”.!! I remembered my days as a young teacher  and had failed to understand why there was so much of paperwork in the teaching profession .I had presumed that teaching was only verbally telling kids what you know and occasionally writing something on the boards !!

I reassured them ,that with the passage of time ,they will learn how to manage that easily and that ,that paper work  also had a relevance .Its like a map when you are driving in a new town !!

DPS Jaipur is a coeducational school .Suhasiny and Anushree  went to study in colleges that were all girls colleges  .Did they find that a big change ? Did  they think , that it was a advantage or a disadvantage to be in such learning centres ?

“It really doesn’t matter Sir .The topic is only good for a inter house debate !! If your focus  is study ,then we don’t think it matters whether there are boys in the class or not .We were very clear what we wanted to do.” they said decisively . And as a counter they added

“Why do you presume that the only way boys and girls  meet is because they are studying in the same class and college ? And besides – the channels of communication are so many these days – technology has changed the rules of the game of relationships .There are no walls  these days ” they said added. One just needs to prioritize “ .

Hmm .Kids these days have really moved on !

I  asked them,that as teachers , what issues are important to them .Both were very concerned about the strong patriarchal society and the attitude of the men towards women- at times bordering on disdain .They feel that women and girls , still have far less freedom of choice than men .

“ But that’s true  only in the underdeveloped parts of the country .It should not matter to someone like  both of you who stay  in a city, and  that too,the  capital of the state” I said .

“You  will be surprised Sir – but we find women in rural areas safer than women  in cities .The social and religious norms still hold sway there .People find it difficult to deviate from them “ they said .They  felt that even in European countries women are discriminated against – albeit in  more subtle ways .

And the conversation went on and on .We discussed  whether DPS Jaipur had changed from their times ,whether the children were distinctly different from what they were ,whether we are in sync as far as teaching is concerned with what they were exposed to and how they saw themselves after let us say 10 years !!.Suddenly Sangeeta came in and said that Suhasiny had a remedial class and that I should let her do her job ! They both left after I took a few photographs with them .

What do students like  Suhasiny and Anushree  teach us  .?( All teachers  MUST   presume that they learn a lot from students .A teacher is  not a sage on the stage ,but a guide on the side )

They teach us that you can compete and yet remain fair and honest .I would be very disappointed if  they were to cheat someone.That will negate knowledge empowerment  .

I would be very disappointed if they were to lose a honest battle. They look such winners .Students  like them  are not JUST teachers  .They represent a belief ,a idea –that one  will succeed  by honest means – if not in the short run ,certainly in the marathon of life.

Students  like them  also teach us  that you can be loyal and loving and yet very rational, and  that professionalism does not run contrary to loyalty .One can be a poet and a nuclear scientist (like Einstein), one be a hopeless romantic but yet a  great king .!We need more children like them , leaving our schools and becoming teachers .

Did I give them any advice ? No .I don’t believe in giving advice .I believe what Einstein when he said “ I am grateful to all those who refused me advice as its because of them I did it myself”  . However  if they are reading this , then what Steve Jobs wrote is something I would like them to keep in mind in their life

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

I find it necessary to quote Steve Jobs , because many will discourage them from becoming school teachers given their qualifications and brilliance .They did that to me .But I followed my heart .

I hope they follow theirs !!