It just happened to me!

I have been teaching for 9 years now and this blog is about how it all started and much more. I am a chartered accountant and qualified by the end of the year 2005. My journey as a CA student was focused completely on securing a good career and i was a "more than average" student and did not have too much of difficulty in academics. During my internship, my objective of securing a lucrative career, which i thought was more 'seeking', transformed into something else - though it did not have a definite shape and form - i realised "seeking" is not the way forward. However i took up a job in a MNC bank and was paid enough. While i was a student, i always used to share certain academic tips to my fellow-mates. I also used to have a 'satsang' on standard costing (my favourite till date). I used to gang up and talk - academics and otherwise - i like talking! I was blessed with a 3 year articleship with rich and diverse experience - importantly a place where i learnt relationships, etiquette, communication and much more (my alma mater). After i passed out, T.G.Suresh (my superhero) met my mother at a wedding reception of a common friend and my mother requested him to consider me for a teaching stint (My mother is everything to me - read my first blog). I received a call in no time from TGS' office and i landed in front of 30 odd students who were writing their exams in a month (CA fraternity would be able to relate to this better - I passed out in November, results in Jan, Finished articles in March and i was teaching in April for the May exams). 

 

And Then..............

It was a rapid revision class for 10 days and i was teaching Accounts. I would humbly say that i was not edgy on my first class - rather - confident and fully prepared. I was mentally prepared on what i would do. CA students are extremely sensitive and judicious when it comes to choosing their teachers. This is one fraternity, where teachers are reviewed, criticized, ranked and judged! To get a pass mark amongst students is much more difficult than passing the exam itself. After the first day of my class - I could not make out anything - the entire class was stone-faced with an occasional nod here and there. The second class is the "result day" for a new teacher - attendance for the second class is the way of giving feedback. I passed! I completed my first session with no hiccups. All the 10 days - i dint receive a call from TGS (i was expecting). He called me a couple of days after the session - "வாத்தியாரே - after about 15 years, there is another spectacular debut made by someone in this field of teaching CA students. I believe you will create a difference" he said. That was my oscar moment! It could have been a bit exaggerated - that's because of his concern, love and affection towards me.

I would like to recall an incident here - i received a call in about two months after my first stint, from a student friend based out of bangalore. She called me to convey that she passed her exams and overwhelmingly thanked me for my assistance in accounting standards. She was a homemaker, has a kid to take care and took up her exams after a break. She quoted ceratin examination tips that i shared in class which was very useful to her. She took efforts to figure out my number and made it a point to convey. That call changed my outlook towards class - from being a casual connect or a chat about academic concepts to a meticulous and careful exchange of information or ideas. I realised that someone (atleast one) is listening and it could make a difference.

I continued teaching on weekends despite my tougher work climate and was with a handful of young minds every weekend. One of my first few batches in intermediate - a group of PS senior gang established a beautiful connect - learned a lot from them. Batch after batch, i was able to establish a connect with my student friends - I realised that i am a "people" person (My mom strongly believes i am not one and am always rude :) ) I started playing cricket with my student friends - started building cricket teams every batch (On a side note, no takers for cricket in the later batches - people prefer "on the couch" Television, mobiles and computers to an outdoor activity). And suddenly it became years of weekend teaching. I got married and could not balance work - class - cricket - personal life and was wondering about a way out. I quit my job and started my professional practice - mostly because of my love towards that "student" connect. I think that was my calling. And now when i look back - a bit of grey hair, receding hairline, protruding tummy and cherishable 9 years of God-sent moments in classroom, I should confess that all this just happened to me (Truly blessed)!

Some of the beautiful learnings that i wanted to share through this blog:

• I realised that showing anger in class (or anywhere) is useless!
• Teaching academics is easier - to create a difference, you just need to go beyond it!
• People learn from who you are than what you teach - I am so much a transformed person in the last decade- a big thanks to my student friends!
• You CAN definitely make a difference and this difference will not happen overnight - You need to be patient to let the seed grow into a tree and blossom into flowers!
• Every word you utter, a sentence, an approach to a concept and even a gesture can make a difference! It is an opportunity a responsibility to make a difference!
• Optimisim, positive thinking and inspirations are like phones that needs constant charging. 
• 'Maturity' comes from handling certain by-products of teaching - CA student community has (an unhealthy) habit of fan following teachers - they view coaching class as a movie - Sit, back and enjoy and do a personality review - At times one may be considered "Famous" and there will be students talking about the teacher. Maturity starts in knowing this! I keep telling myself that I am just the messenger - It keeps me going!
• Never be proud about students passing exams - just be happy. Students don't pass exams because of a teacher and fail despite a teacher.
• I think it is every teachers' responsibility to set the students expectations right! A good teacher makes himself progressively needless!
• I narrate a story during my session that would deal with assuming responsibilities (village backdrop - white dhoti hero story) - Every time an alumni recalls this story - I feel like getting a brownie point!

I just want to express my happiness and gratitude to THE OMNIPRESENT for all the "God-sent" moments.

PS:
Dedicated to all my teachers!
With special thanks to CA.Shivram, CA. Baskar, CA. Ananthi, CA.Geetha and my suprehero TGS ( i would tag them in facebook as a token of gratitude)