- By Tsandong L., Jhamtse Graduate

A Happy Teachers’ Day to all my teachers of life out there!

Teaching can be a humbling and frustrating experience. Even when things seem to be going well, someone or something will be there to remind you of your shortcomings. However, all the teachers out there are brave and ready to tackle things as they come their way and help pave the way for their learners. Nothing can be as beautiful as the journey of a teacher. Today, nothing gives me more joy than thinking about being a teacher, showing each child the right path, and illuminating their lives with knowledge and love, as all my teachers have done for me. With this writing, I wish to show you just how much I appreciate you all.

You helped me shape my future. You inspire me every day with lessons and knowledge.

Once I was asked by someone, “What do you want to become when you grow up?” My reply to him was “I want to be a doctor.” He applauded and said, “Very nice choice; never give up!” However, at the back of my mind, I really wanted to say that I want to become a teacher. My lack of courage stopped me from saying that.

Due to societal constraints, I used to think that a teacher’s job is menial and that I should aim for a higher post, a better job. I often wondered why a teacher’s job is considered inferior in many cultures today. I still don’t get why it is seen as less important. The thought of being a teacher never left me since I was in grade 8 despite several critiques that I heard about the profession. I often tried to switch my goal depending on my interests and to fit in the category of a “higher profession.” Meanwhile, time flew by, and I grew up. During my college times, I dreamt about becoming a professor, which was also related to teaching but at a higher level. However, the concept of helping someone young through teaching was not one I could let go of.

The beacon of hope that I received from my teachers always encouraged me to take up this field. Therefore, this year, in 2021, I decided that I wanted to become a schoolteacher and started my work as a teacher intern under some of the most experienced teachers at Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community.

Now I am taking several classes from our resident teachers, such as computers, communications, and lesson planning. These are important skills to know as a teacher. Though my interest in becoming a teacher started as early as Grade Eight, my first official teaching experience was only a few months ago. I got to work with the primary school teachers at my own community. It is fun teaching with them. On the first day, I was incredibly overwhelmed because I thought that my teachers and students would be watching me, and I felt shy. However, there were only a few students on campus. My first day went better than I expected. My job was to observe how my teachers taught in class and teach a few kids.

Though learning the content was not difficult, coming up with a lesson plan was something I had never done before. It was incredibly difficult for me at first to figure out what should I do every day, but with time, it became easier, and I started getting more creative with my lesson plans. My first teaching experience is teaching me a lot about what it means to be a teacher and a lot about myself, as a future educator. I now know that coming up with lesson plans is not easy. I’m glad that I’m able to experience what I will face in the future. I am learning a lot about my strengths and weaknesses—I learned that I do not have a good sense of time when I’m teaching, so now I make sure that I properly plan and schedule what will be done and at what time.

As a freshman in the School of Education, I am excited to get plugged into a real classroom in 2 to 3 years and get more training and insight into what it is really like to be a teacher. Though elementary education may not be what I will be teaching in the future, this teaching internship is giving me a view of what it is that I could potentially be doing a few years from now and I’m even more excited to explore this amazing field of education!

A few years ago, we—the oldest children of the Community—came up with the idea of converting Teachers’ Day into Staff Day because we wanted to make the day special for all our teachers of life, such as our teaching staff, administration, Amalas (house mothers), kitchen staff and construction staff because all of them have taken the responsibility of shaping us into better human beings in our life. Today, I thank each one of you for supporting us unconditionally. Once again, Happy Teachers’ Day/Staff Day to all at Jhamtse Gatsal AND everyone around the world who makes Jhamtse Gatsal possible.

*September 5 is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the second President of India and a renowned Indian scholar and philosopher.