'He Said My Mother Lives With God...' And More Such Memories By Teachers

Some of these memories will crack you up and some will make you head for the tissue box. Read on some memorable teachers day messages

What's your favourite memory, teacher?

The best teachers are those who teach you things beyond books. The memories that they leave behind in your mind are etched for eternity. And just like us, these precious teachers too have fond, memorable, funny incidents that stay with them; of that precocious child in class or the really shy one or the overtly enthusiastic lass who couldn’t contain her love for her favourite teacher and wrote an elaborate poem for her. Here we have 11 teachers reminiscing of such doting memories. If you cry over heartfelt stories, I suggest you keep some tissues handy.

Sonali Nirwal Singh, Somerville School, Delhi

'The way your students love you cannot be described in words. I experienced the same in the first year of my teaching profession. One of my students had lost his mother. When their session was ending, he came to me, hugged me tightly and said 'I don't have a mother, but you are like my mother.' I got emotional after listening to what he said. Since then, I am more compassionate and sympathetic to my students. Such tiny incidents make such a difference in your life.'

Beryl Pawar, New Modern High School, Mumbai

'There I was, in a closed classroom with 20 little ones, on their very first day of school. One particular boy was running all around the class yelling, ‘ball, ball!’ I told him, ‘no ball now’ and settled him down on his chair. The moment I turned to write on the blackboard, I felt a warm, wet feeling on my back. This little boy had stood up on his chair and was urinating on me! I couldn’t even rush out of the class to wash up. I guess, he was trying to tell me he wanted to pee. Oh, that was unforgettable.'

Nisha Nitin, Father Agnel Multipurpose School, Navi Mumbai

'I had an autistic child in my class who complained every single day about how all the other children of the class troubled him. One day, I told him, 'you are growing up, be brave, face your problems'. After a couple of days, I found him bleeding after recess (after a fight with someone). His classmates told me about it. When I went up to him and asked him why he was quiet about it, he told me, 'Miss, you had told me to be a brave boy and face all problems without complaining.' It melt my heart.'

Vijaya Sundaram, retired teacher, N.R.C school, Thane

'Once during children’s day celebrations at school, all the children and teachers were gathered for lunch at one place. I saw one of my students (a six-year-old boy who was a naughty child) eating sabudana khichdi. I just asked him, 'do you know how it is made?’ To my surprise he said, ‘yes’ and explained all the steps perfectly. I was amazed. He said he loved standing on a stool and observing his mother in the kitchen. Till today, I follow his recipe. When you interact with children, you are surprised and amazed each and every day.'

Shashi Sood, retired teacher, Government Sr Secondary Boys School, Delhi

'I started my teaching career at the age of 21. I was so happy that I would be influencing so many little lives as a teacher. But even for a teacher, the learning curve never ends. I learnt chess in the school and the teachers were the boys of my class. You get to learn so much as a teacher. It stays with you for life.'

Meena Baluja, Deep Memorial Public School, Ghaziabad

'There was once an inter-class drawing competition in school and the topic was, 'My favourite person.’ The student who won the first prize was one of my students. When I saw her drawing, it was a picture of me, writing on the blackboard. The drawing was so beautiful and I was so overjoyed when she told me, ‘teacher, you are my favourite person.’ Till date that incident brings a smile to my face.'

Dipica Dias, former teacher, Godrej Udayachal High School, Mumbai

'After a crazy day with little nursery kids, I stood at the door to hug them goodbye. One particular girl I remember, licked my cheek. I was puzzled. 'Was that supposed to be a kiss?’ I asked her. ‘No teacher, I like ice cream and I like you, so I licked you,’ the girl replied. It was so sweet.'

Maneesha Chawla, GBL Convent school, Delhi

'A boy in my class was extremely naughty, aggressive and rude. Everyone, including his parents, had given up on him. They kept saying his behaviour is completely unmanageable. That’s when I decided to take him under my wing and vowed to condition him. There were times I felt like giving up too. But little by little, each day, I toned down his mischief, firmly yet gently. Today, he is an able businessman and I’m a proud guide. Children just need a lot of patience and someone to understand them.'

Mildred Lobo, Universal Tutorials, Navi Mumbai

'I have dealt with so many children throughout my teaching career. What really touches me is whenever I step out to run my errands, very often a young man or lady will come up to me and say ‘Ma’am do you remember me, you taught me in that class.’ For all the strictness I showed as a teacher, those kids could have easily ignored me and walked off. But they make it a point to pause and specially come to me to say hi. I feel so nice each time that happens.'

Sonal Lokhande, Treehouse Preschool, Mumbai

'A little boy in my class always sits next to me and looks at me with puppy dog eyes. It's almost like he has a crush on me. Whenever I'm angry, he plants a fat kiss on my cheek and I feel my anger melt away instantly. It's too cute and I feel so special.'

Sonia Sabherhawal, North Point School, Navi Mumbai

'I had asked my entire class to get their test papers signed by both their parents. One boy had got only his father’s signature on the paper. I asked him quite sternly why his mother’s signature wasn’t there. He replied, ‘my mummy does not stay with me teacher, she stays with God.’ I was stumped. Tears filled my eyes. I incident stayed with me forever.'