TEACHING BY LOVING
A young
professor of sociology in the prestigious Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
state, USA, sent his students on a special assignment to the slums of
Baltimore. They were directed to study systematically the living conditions,
background, attitudes, aptitudes, aspirations and prospects of 200 children
residing in the slums and make scientific predictions about their probable future.
The students interviewed 200 poor boys
from the slums and studied their sociological and economic background and
problems. After analysis they predicted that at least 90% (i.e.180) of them
were sure to grow up as criminals and end up in prisons.
The
report of the results of their research and the 200 cards describing the
details of each boy, were left in the Department. It was discovered about 25
years later by the Professor. Out of curiosity, he asked a fresh batch of
students to enquire about the present fate of the 200 boys in order to verify the
accuracy of the predictions of the earlier batch. They could meet 90% (i.e.
180) of the original 200 boys.
The results of the new investigation were very
surprising. Only four of them had ever been to a jail. The rest of them had developed
their career successfully and were well placed in society. Many of them had
become renowned service-minded citizens.
They
were asked about the factors that led to their successful transformation. The investigators
received the same answer from all of them. They acknowledged with gratitude the
sincere and selfless services of a lady teacher who taught them in the local
school. She had provided timely advices and valuable guidance to them during
their school days. Her tremendous influence was a corrective force throughout
their life.
The
students searched for this mysterious teacher who made a miraculous change in
her students' fate. Finally they found her in a home for aged persons. She was
about seventy years old but could remember the faces of her former students.
When asked about her immense influence on her students, she calmly replied,
"I have not made any miracle. I just loved each one of my students as my
own children."
The students imbibed from their teacher
the virtues of life. Supported by her affectionate assistance, constant
guidance and encouraging comments, they could boldly face the problems of life
and shape their conscience and career to a level of perfection.
The seven letters in the word, 'TEACHER' may be expanded to list the
seven essential qualities of an ideal teacher: Talented, Enthusiastic, Affectionate, Co-operative, Humble, Encouraging and Reliable.
The
word denoting 'teacher' in Indian languages is 'GURU' which is derived from two syllables 'Gu' and 'Ru' in the
Sanskrit language. 'Gu' represents
the darkness of ignorance, especially spiritual ignorance. 'Ru' denotes the light or radiance which destroys the darkness of
ignorance. The Guru of ancient India was a saintly sage, a beacon of spiritual
light who looked after every facet of the life of the students who used to stay
with him throughout the period of their study. He used to impart spiritual
knowledge along with material knowledge for the balanced, integrated and
complete development the students' personality involving the body, mind,
intellect and soul of the students.
Teaching is an art, a science, a mission and
a divine vocation. It does not end in the intellectual interpretation of ideas,
concepts and theories. It aims at the physical, mental, moral, emotional and
intellectual development of the students. Information imparted should lead to
formation of character and transformation of the head (intellect), heart
(emotions), hands(actions) and habits (life-style) of the students.
Henry Adams said, "A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his
influence stops."
"And those who have taught many people
to do what is right will shine like the stars forever" {Daniel, 12: 3}.
"You are like light for the whole
world....your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good
things you do and praise your Father in heaven" {Matthew, 5: 14-16}.
...........................................................................................................
© By:
Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science &
Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof.
Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's
College, Kanjirappally and
Leo. S.
John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,
Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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