I am a Teacher
Contributed by: Swati
It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and Knowledge.
– Albert Einstein
I am a teacher! I am a Teacher!
“Which School are you teaching in?”
Oh! I don’t teach in any School.
“Which College are you teaching in?
Oh! I don’t teach in any College either.
“Then why do call yourself a teacher?
These are not the questions that people ask me; these are the questions I ask myself. Why am I teacher? I don’t wear formal clothing to my classroom. I don’t go to any school or college every day. I don’t sit on a chair behind a table. Children don’t stand up and wish me in a chorus every day. I am not specialized in a particular subject. (Honestly, I have been a pretty average student).
But, what does it mean to be a Teacher? Does everything mentioned above make you a teacher? No, it doesn’t. Being a teacher is much more. A teacher has the ability to transform lives and bring change in the individuals they meet. A teacher doesn’t cease to be a teacher outside their classroom. Teachers are not the sum of all the subjects they teach but the values they impart.
At Project KHEL, I am a Teacher! I am a Playducator.
I teach life skill.
“Is that a new subject?”
No, it’s the oldest subject. It’s the one that we skipped in School.
We teach children life skills through play.
“through play?”
We take our favorite childhood games like Dog and the Bone and use it to teach children life skills like active listening and critical thinking. Many times people ask us why this is important and why shouldn’t children just focus on their academics. In times like these where the world is falling apart with hatred we help to understand the importance of love, compassion and empathy in the children. The children who will shape our future.
“That’s convenient”
What is?
“You don’t have to prep.”
Actually, it’s a lot more than you think.
Before each session there is discussion about the entire layout of our classroom (Playground- which is not definite in size and surrounded by walls). We plan equipment, Plan-A, Pan-B, and Plan-C, We even prepare for sessions that can get washed away by rain. We plan about instances where suddenly 20 new children show up to the playground and want to play with us. The unique part of the job is that we don’t ever turn away kids who want to join us. We always have room and a plan for everyone.
“How to you evaluate the kids?”
With us every kids is a winner. Nobody ever fails because even in failure there is a learning.
- A silver lining
“I am a Teacher.”
Yes, you are.