Renowned Educationist Grace Pinto’s message on Teachers Day, A teacher affects eternity

By Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai, 05 Sep 2016: ‘A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.’” This quote of Henry Adams beautifully showcases the significant role bestowed upon teachers in our society. The impressions made by the teachers, the values instilled by them and their very demeanor directly influences and affects students beyond our imagination. They mould the convictions and perceptions of students and their influence remains with them throughout. Teachers hold the key to transform lives and society at large. Through their service and sacrifice they build the future citizens and nation. There is a wealth of talent and potential within every child and good teachers make every effort to unlock this wealth and empower children to discover their calling in life. The very etymology of the word education derived from Latin word ‘educare’ itself means ‘to bring out’. Life is all about learning and in this process of learning teachers themselves ought to be lifelong learners and play a role of assisting and facilitating the best out of every student. Mark Van Doren has rightly said, ‘The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.’

 

 

Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, the second president of India, was a great philosopher, a great teacher and a wonderful educationist who acknowledged the vital role of a teacher. As we remember him on 5th September, we are grateful for this day being dedicated to our dear teachers and being observed asTeachers’ Day” for their spirit of sacrifice in fostering student development with unfading commitment. Swami Vivekananda has said “Education is the process by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, and intellect is sharpened, as a result of which one can stand on one’s own feet. And that a teacher’s sacred duty is to invoke the spirit of inquiry in his pupils.” Therefore, a true teacher is not someone who just instructs but guides the students to grow holistically and become lifelong learners and good citizens achieving greatness. Without the guidance of a teacher, who motivates and fosters greatness, none of the achievers in this world would have attained greatness.

 

We are living in the 21st century and it is true that the role of teachers has radically changed over the years. The goal of the educational process has evolved over the years and so has the role of the educator. However, teachers’ role is not relegated to the sidelines or substituted by technology instead the role has become even more critical in the current journey of learning on the information highway. Today teachers would need to be effective at engaging learners towards meaningful construction of knowledge, and encourage them through appropriate integration of technology to apply learning into action and relevant outcomes. ‘While technology would do its bit, teachers as facilitators add the desired human touch and provide opportunities to the students to develop critical thinking skills and engender values to help them become responsible learners.’

 

Teachers are an integral part of the educational process. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of many unsung heroes who took the role of reaching out on their own, bearing personal responsibility, to the underprivileged, poor and those who are need of education. The need of the hour for India to stay relevant is to develop teachers who are willing to rise above the challenges and work towards student welfare and development and equipping them with encouragement and confidence to prepare them for the dynamic future. Teachers need to realize that every person is blessed with particular gifts from God and it is they who can help them identify, nurture and realize them to the fullest. All my dear teachers, God has bestowed on you a very vital role which requires a lot of sacrifice but God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His children and continue to help them. We urge you to cherish your special calling as a TEACHER that impacts eternity. 

Wish you a veryHappy Teachers’ Day!