What it takes to be a teacher ?
On this Teachers' Day-2020 unique celebrations, this is an ode. This is as an act of acknowledgement for all teachers
What does it take to be a teacher ? You ask...
To know your students,
not only by name,
but by dreams,
their aspirations and motivations,
by their fears and anxieties,
past downfalls,
the darkest moments and etched pains.
And then, choosing not to tell them,
how you yourself are many times consumed by your own flaws.
But you chose to tell them,
unashamedly,
how you fought your battles and
then assuring them,
how you will do your best , to raise them up...
sometimes, by lending your ears;
Other times, by offering your shoulder to cry on,
But most times, helping them stand on your shoulders
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What does it take to be a teacher ? You ask...
To know the caretakers of your learners.
Ones who birthed them, too are tangled, you know. You understand.
Their troubles. Their shortcomings and temper.
Their weaknesses.
Their shortage of resources.
And then
Sacrificially, you decide,
To offer your health,
sometimes wealth,
many times stealing time off from the fruits of your womb,
without guilt
To support seeds of others' womb.
You choose to share their responsibility,
With them
And sometimes,
Without them.
................................................................................................................................................... What does it take to be a teacher ? You ask...
To know that it is ok…not to be all-knowing all the time.
Accepting that you are no Google.
To know that learners will still look up to you,
Seeking wisdom,
Because the words that drop from your lips
Learners know, will what shape and sharpen their destiny
So, you devote time
To reflect …
on what went well so many past seasons
To note what did not go well …
You showed how in storms and peace
All seasons,
Pre-covid, covid, post-covid
You will continue to
Strive , Thrive
To bend,
To break,
To build,
Yourself
To refresh
To renew
To re learn
So that the vessel,you, THE TEACHER,
Can TEACH again… and again …and again
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Fresh souls come to your hands
And they are , by you,
moulded
carefully, fearfully, wonderfully
To Fly
To Soar
To Be.
Gratitude.
is what I can offer
You
My Teacher.