I am an amateur writer, and I am trying to share my experience that has brought immense joy, satisfaction, and meaning to my life—”THE JOY OF BEING A TEACHER.”
I spent more than a decade working in the corporate world. After leaving my job, I wanted to do something that would give me a sense of purpose and, most importantly, make me happy. That is when I started volunteering with YFS (Youth For Seva), taking part in different initiatives such as teaching in schools, health camps, environmental programmes, and many other activities.
But I soon discovered something special. I felt happiest whenever I was around children. Their energy, innocence and ability to find happiness in the simplest things gave me such positive vibes. That is how I became a teacher and got associated with a non-formal school.It has now been more than ten years since I started teaching there. Over these years, I have had the opportunity to teach children from nursery and primary school as well as teenagers and high-school students. Interestingly, teaching different age groups brings out a different side of me.
When I teach nursery and primary school children, I feel as though I am travelling back to my own childhood. I enjoy every little moment with them—their tiny fights, the way they care for one another, their excitement over small things, and the happiness they experience when someone appreciates them. Their smiles can brighten my day.The affection they show us is beautiful. They treat us almost like members of their own family. Their innocent conversations, funny stories and endless questions make me forget my worries. In many ways, they are my stress busters. When they learn a new song, a story, a shloka or something from their curriculum, I feel happy as though I have learnt something new myself. Their excitement makes their learning a celebration, and I feel privileged to be a part of it.
When I teach teenagers, something different happens. I become a teenager too! I enjoy listening to the thoughts and ideas they share. Sometimes, I feel proud seeing how much they have grown and how confidently they express themselves. And then there are those moments when they share something with great shyness or hesitation. Many of their experiences remind me of things we went through at their age. When I tell them, “The same thing happened with us too,” I can see them becoming comfortable and relaxed. Slowly, they begin to open up. They share their personal problems, worries and sometimes even their secrets, believing that I will understand them and perhaps help them to find a solution. Their trust is something I consider a blessing.
One of the most rewarding experiences for me is when children greet me or wish me whenever and wherever they meet me. It could be a little nursery child or a young person who has already reached college. Those simple greetings mean so much to me. At such moments, I feel that perhaps I have contributed something, however small, to our society and to their lives.
The majority of the children we teach come from families where the parents are construction workers and every family is struggling to make ends meet. Their lives are not always easy. Therefore, when one of these children achieves something, it gives us immense happiness and pride. We feel proud because we know that, in some small way, we were a part of their journey and their success.
This journey has also given me wonderful co-volunteers who have supported, guided and encouraged me throughout these years. Together, we have shared countless moments of laughter, learning, challenges and happiness with our children. These memories have become some of the most cherished moments of my life.
When I look back, I realise that I started this journey thinking that I would be teaching children. But today, I feel that I am the one who has been learning all along. The children have taught me to find happiness in small things, to appreciate simple gestures, to trust, to forgive, to laugh freely, to be curious and to live in the present moment.
They have given me countless precious memories and filled my life with joy. We may call ourselves their teachers, but in many ways, they are our teachers too. And perhaps that is the greatest joy of being a teacher—not just being able to shape young minds, but allowing those young minds to shape us in return. I feel truly blessed to have walked this journey with them. I went to teach them, but somewhere along the way, they taught me how to live.
Vidya Srikanth
