Few days ago, my son sent me a gift box; containing few
books.
One of them was ‘What Teachers Make’ by Taylor Mali, along
with a note that the moment he saw this book- considering my profession - he
thought it would be quite appropriate for me.
Needless to say, I started reading that one first.
Some chapters were quite interesting along with some
powerful messages and statements. In many ways it coincides with my own
thoughts and experiences that I have had during my life long teaching career
and I am sure many others in teaching profession may also feel the same.
Even though teaching is generally considered a very noble
profession, yet most people judge others by not 'what they do', but 'how much
they make'. Everyone knows that teachers do not make much money. Not only they
are not very well paid, but except for a few, not very well respected either - especially
now a days.
Though I have been very lucky that I have always received
tremendous amount of respect from almost all of my students - just as I have always paid utmost respect to my teachers. In the Indian classical Music circles, teacher is considered 'Guru' and is highly respected, but yet, occasionally
I have heard such remarks as Taylor Mali also mentioned: "Those who can,
do; those who can't - teach".
In the field of performing arts, such as music, painting,
poetry or even surgery, it is a common belief that the great teachers may not
necessarily be great performers. But it is also equally true that all great
performers may not necessarily be great teachers as well.
I have also been very fortunate to have the privilege of
meeting and hosting many well-known and highly admired stalwarts of Indian
classical music at my home. Few of them honestly said they cannot and do not
want to teach because they do not have the patience to listen to 'Besur' and
'Betaal'; out of tune and off rhythm students all the time. One of the greatest
- elderly artist whom I greatly admire, compassionately said to me " Beta!
In order to become a good artist, one should not teach. You should always try
to listen to perfect music and practice properly because listening to 'besura'
and 'betaala' would eventually affect your own talent and you might even lose
it."
But I love to teach…. and by nature, I am a teacher.
One of my friends, Dr. Verma, a Cardio-thoracic Surgeon once told
me that not only in the field of performing arts, it's also true in the field
of surgery. He said his professors of surgery were excellent teachers, among
the few best ones, but he would not trust them for doing an actual surgery. Because
they have always been teaching by operating on dead bodies; slowly and pausing
in between to explain to the students. How would you judge their success rate? All
of their patients were dead to begin with.
But nonetheless, they were excellent teachers because they
knew how to explain to the students; at their level.
Yes. Teaching requires tremendous amount of patience and a
thorough understanding of the students. In order to explain properly, a teacher
has to scoop down to the level of the student, and that requires a great
passion and love for teaching; a skill which everyone may not have. And yet,
many would still say that: "Those who can, do; and those who can't -
teach".
Because for most people, the success rate is based upon ‘Fame,
Power, and Money’. The more power and money one has, more successful he or she
is considered.
But the real question, as Taylor Mali puts it, is not........
‘How
much Teachers make’ but ‘What Teachers Make’.
And
‘Teachers Make a Difference’.
My teachers made a difference in my life and I hope to help
make a difference in at least some of my student’s lives.
‘Rajan
Sachdeva’
