What I Learned when I started Teaching!!!

"Our Body has a Language too, you know!!". "People we talk to, base their assumptions and judgement about us, even before First Word has been uttered, that is why it is of immense importance that we become aware about out Body Language too."

As soon as I spoke those words in our Professional Readiness Workshop at Manobal: A Deepstambh Foundation Initiative, one of the students asked me, "But Ma'am, many of the students in our batch are visually Impaired, Partially or Fully. We don't even know how our bodies look like, how our faces are structured, how do we look when we stand up or smile. What about us, how do we understand about our Body Language, and how do we practice the Right Mannerisms of Body Language.

A sharp chill ran down my spine. Although I had prepared a series of exercises for teaching the Concept of Body Language to those students who are unaware of their Body Structure to begin with, I was not ready for the question to be raised by the students. I quickly gathered myself and began explaining in the manner I had intended to. I went to this specific student, supported him to get up from his seat, brought him to a center stage, where other students could see him, and thanked him. Thanked him for bringing this question up, without an iota of shame, guilt or inferiority. I took his hands into mine and explained about the "Power Pose" and its importance. Went to another student and demonstrated how to keep hands over desk/ table when you are sitting for the interviews. Showed another student the position of legs and how it affects our posture. Introduced them to the world of Hand-Shakes and believe you me, they were thrilled to enter it.

The best part was, the students in the batch who could see were helping and guiding those students with practice sessions, and beaming with pride about the results of their mentees.

Even better part was the next day. A few students were selected to give speeches and make presentations on "Marathi Bhasha Divas" in the institute. Many distinguished guests were invited for the event. And those were the students, who practiced and perfected their Body Language more than their content. It was a blissful event. Spectacular in true sense, the poise in their postures, confidence in their presence and sheer joy in their voice made almost everyone tear up with pride. The next few days, the faculties and counselors were observing their behaviors and mannerisms very minutely. Their postures in the class-rooms and reading rooms, the way they were greeting each others and faculties, especially with their new found love of Hand-Shakes, were really impressive. It was sheer music to my ears when I was told "It was pure Magic on the Stage, when the kids were giving speeches".

That was the day I realized the little impact I was creating on the lives of those students, and the Big Impact they were creating on me. I realized Teaching is not just transmitting the knowledge you have to others, but to an extent, trying to live and lead the lives as well, to the extent possible. One Size So Doesn't Fit All. Smart Podiums in Premier Institutes, White Board in Legacy Academia, Projectors in State-of-the-art-infrastructure or a Simple Black Board at a Municipal Corporation School- it doesn't matter, not at all, what matters is how the Teacher inside of you impact the final jurors- Your Students. And if I could turn around some lives of the students who really need support and guidance, My Accounts will be Tallied, and How!!!

Let's build a Sustainable India through Inclusive Growth of everyone who deserves to grow. Even if the Resources are in-equal for everyone, at least the Opportunities should be.

From the Heart of One Student to Another...