Happy Teachers' and Learners' Day

Yay! Teachers' Day.

What a suitable day to begin a blog about my teaching experiences.

It's Teachers' Day, and we get the day off in Mauritius. This morning, my colleagues were sending each others "happy teachers' day to us" messages, along with videos, poems, and quotes they found on the web, in an attempt to persuade others, and mainly themselves that they are awesome. There is not much separating me from the rest of them. I was searching Google for great quotations to include in our group message as well. I needed to feel that I had a purpose, that I was unique, that I worked hard for this day, and that I deserved it.

While searching the web, I kept seeing Robert Heinlein's quote show up repeatedly:

"When one teaches, two learn."

Then I began asking myself a few questions. Is it possible that we were just trying to appease our own egos? Do we really comprehend that today is more than just a day off? Is there a deeper significance to this day than the word "teacher"? Is it limited to those who are employed by schools?

We are educators, and as such, both teaching and learning are important aspects of our work. This is why, in my opinion, today should also be a day of celebration for learners. Every little soul I have met in my classroom has brought something to my life. We are continuously learning from our students, and without them we would no longer be teachers. They are the ones who occasionally make us feel like superheroes. They continuously challenge us to re-evaluate ourselves. Consequently, they contribute to our professional and personal fulfilment.

Furthermore, I began to feel that this day belonged to anyone who has ever taught, even for a brief moment or two. It brings back memories of when my cousin taught me how to make instant noodles when I was seven years old. To be able to prepare a meal entirely on my own made me feel great about myself. Educating individuals is making the learners feel as I was at seven years old; to be proud of themselves and love achieving something on their own. In my opinion, this is one of the foundations of being a teacher. To teach is to assist someone in unlocking the door to freedom, and everyone has the ability to do so in some manner.

So, happy Teachers' Day and Happy Learners' Day to all of us.