Whom you want to be?

This happened when I was doing seventh standard in school. One day class teacher while about to leave the class in evening asked  "like whom you want to become?" There would be one or two in a class, who would be right there to speak out an answer when teacher asks a question. Immediately one girl said, i want to become engineer.

Teacher then told, My question is not what you want to become, but "like whom you want to become". Students were quiet for few seconds. Teacher then asked us to think and come with an answer on the question tomorrow.

next day after prayer, she asked us to answer in order from first bench. I had only couple of students before me as I was also seated in front bench. One of the disadvantage with the first bench. You cannot listen to rest of class answers and change your answer in last minute if you find others answer better.

First one told, I want to become an engineer like my father, next one told, I want to do service like Mother Teressa, It was my turn and  I answered "I want to become teacher" . My class teacher told, i want you to point a person.

Ah I know. My mother is a teacher, few of my aunts were teachers. I have also observed some dozen teachers right from my kinder garden. But why I should I point someone ? I don't have to become a teacher like them. I have my own style. But this teacher wont allow me to sit, unless I point some person. So I told , I want to become a college teacher like my mother. Teacher said "ok". Hmm.. I can sit now. My turn is over and I can watch my fellow classmates.

There came many answer pointing some one for  scientist, astronaut , sports person, singers, musicians etc etc. Towards the end, one tall girl said " I want to be myself". Class teacher smiled and said. This is what I was looking for. One should have their own originality. We should not try to be like others. But be unique as yourself. Then she asked the student who gave this answer to her. Classmate kept smiling and said again and again that she is telling of her own. I don't know if it is true or not, or the teacher believed it or not, that's off the topic.

When I was about to complete my degree I understood that teaching is not my cup of tea. Few suggested that teaching is best suited for females, fixed working time and summer vacation etc etc and I should consider doing MPhil or MEd. I did not want to do those. I had an option of becoming Research Assistant  and take up teaching to students. However my resume was rejected as I did not furnish the degree certificate/ provisional certificate for attending interview. That closed the option of me teaching for students temporarily too.

I respect the teaching profession and teachers.

On this teachers day, I pray God for the well being of my beloved teachers.

--Dhanesh Amma