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.