We as teachers do the most challenging yet important work. Nothing fits the phrase – ‘a coin always has two sides’ better than our profession. Entering the class and teaching the day’s chapter is the easy part of our job; guiding our students to think and connect to the chapter is the difficult part. Using our head and books as our aids is easy; but using our heart is difficult. Listening to the ‘Instant Teacher Instinct’ is easy; but listening to the ‘Inner Teacher Instinct’ is difficult.
It was in the middle of a class that I experienced this again. In the middle of scribbling notes on the board, I looked up to notice a child looking visibly sleepy. The instant teacher instinct of me called out to the child and scolded her for this disrespect to my teaching. The child being one amongst the high performers made this all the more irritating. What an attitude to think that she doesn’t need to focus and can doze off in my class! After a decent dose on class behaviour, the instant voice packed her to the principal’s room. The typical, authoritarian principal figure reminded her of the responsibilities that are on the shoulders of brilliant students like her. She was warned to be careful not be sent for such things again. The instant teacher in me was happy to fulfil my routine well and put an effort to bring discipline, even if passive in my class.
The inner teacher instinct in the same situation, at some other point in my career nudged and scolded me. It showed irritation on my way of teaching that is making even the learners in my class sleepy. It made me stop scribbling on the board and break the class into two groups for a quick energizer. We all had a quick water break of 2 minutes, spoke on the need to take enough rest amidst all the pressures and, that’s it! The class was back with a bang to the topic and more importantly, I as a teacher was feeling better and more in control of an actively disciplined class. The more connected principal figure appreciated me for never having someone sent out for being dull in class; and questioned those who had children feeling sleepy or dull in class.
The more I listen to students and interact with my peers, the more I realise the magic of following the ‘Inner Teacher Instinct’. This simple yet highly effective tool has proved to turn simple teachers into great magicians who have the power to make a positive meaningful difference in every student’s life. If we look back, we will find proof of this within our own student and teaching life.
So, this teacher’s Day let us promise ourselves to follow our ‘Inner Teacher Instinct’ and become the magicians the future generations need the most.
Back to Blog
