Why I Love to Teach

I got into the teaching profession purely by choice. I was then in 9th grade, when my mathematics teacher asked me to take a class for a few students to whom the subject seemed difficult. And believe me, I enjoyed the entire teaching session. I never knew teaching would be so interesting. I loved my freshmen and was delighted to teach my so-called students who came up with lots of good questions.

After my post graduation, I worked as a software developer with a public sector in Bangalore for a few years. But I realized that no job could provide me the gratification that I experienced while teaching and training. I always wanted to connect with a wider group of people that was not possible being in any other job. In fact, I feel it was a timely realization for me to choose the teaching profession. I applied to a few colleges, and finally God answered my prayers. I was pleased with the designation, 'Lecturer' and I had to lecture graduate and post-graduate students in a college. But on the first day, I was nervous thinking that I had to teach the senior classes. I wondered whether teaching them would be as enjoyable as it was when I taught my schoolmates way back in school. But now I can say that taking lectures was one of the best experiences of my life. I was a Computer Science and Information Technology Lecturer, but I tried to help my students with subjects that were not within my domain. It was a new feeling to me every morning before going to the classes. I used to feel energized and excited thinking that the class would be lit up with bright faces to greet me, "Good morning Mam".

To me everyday was a new beginning, with new experiences, new queries. I loved to explore their minds, read their inquisitive faces when a particular topic seemed tough. It was extremely challenging to motivate them to participate in the classroom, think critically, question and also respect other's point of view. Though few things never seemed easy, but it was extremely elating to assure them that they really can. That is the reason, 'why I love to teach'.

The diversity of students in my class was unbelievable. My class consisted of students from across the globe, Mauritius, Dubai, South Africa and of course India. I loved to meet them, teach them and be in the classroom with them. To me teaching is a lot more than 'classroom teaching'. I still remember the number of hours I have spent preparing to teach my students. Throughout my teaching years, I have learned many things that have helped me evolve as a better teacher with time. Yes, there were times when I felt I was not effective in the classroom. I realized that to enjoy teaching, it's not enough to know the course curriculum. You need to know your students personally and orient your teaching in such a way that it reaches each and every student in the class.

I love to learn as much as I love to teach. It feels great and accomplishing to turn back to a class and see that my students have actually learned something from my teachings. An awesome feeling that brings a smile to my face when a student points to her parents and says, "She is my teacher".