“Students could not come to our college from one village Pusegaon since they had to change autorickshaw twice and they did not have this much money. Realizing this, we started our other institution’s bus to fetch these children on a no-profit, no-loss basis. 25 students benefitted from these and completed their graduation” -Shreepad Talnikar Gajananrao, Sengaon
“Students visiting old-age homes remarked: at least we won’t send our parents to these homes” – Abhijit Yadav, Rajarshi Shahu Mahavidyalaya, Latur
“A week-long interaction of students with Collector, SP, Judges, Bankers, other professionals from society put an end to a wave of depression and suicides that was engulfing the district and region” – Vani Laturkar, Swami Ramanand Tirth Marathwada University, Nanded
“I always wanted to be a teacher – and left my job as an auditor when I became one. Working in a college in hill area where 70% students are from the backward category, we have started a ‘Student welfare help fund’ to help those students who are not eligible for scholarships” – Shridhar Kolhe
“I paid a fee for a student who was leaving BEd since he did not have money to pay the fee.. later when he became teacher and came to know of the same, he came to my house inviting me to his wedding and saying that whatever he was was due to that help” – Dr. Padma Jadhav, Government College of Education, Nanded
“We are organizing science camps since 2010 to encourage the development of scientific temper in students.. they faring well in life is a source of satisfaction” – Dr. Jaiprakash Dargad, Dayanand Science College, Latur
“In 1989, I came to this small place, Purna as an English teacher in college. I was surprised to find that students joining college had almost no foundation of English, although they had that subject from 5th to 12th standard. Initially, I felt demotivated, but then I decided to teach them from scratch and build their base. After five years of continuous effort, in the sixth year, my student came first in the eight districts of BAMU University, Aurangabad. 70-80 of my students are English teachers now” – Rajkumar, Parbhani
“If I have to teach a skill to children, I first learn it. Focus on micro-teaching, student centricity has helped my students attain confidence and that makes me proud”- Ujjwala Sadavarte, Nanded
We were talking to a group of college teachers from the Nanded region of Maharashtra ( Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded), including four districts of Nanded, Latur, Parbhani, and Hingoli. They were requested to remember and share one moment that made them feel proud of being a teacher and gave them happiness. Above are some of the responses received.
The teachers’ eyes sparkled as they shared these stories. They were speaking from the heart. Positivity connected and rubbed on.
The underlying theme of these stories was love for students. Each story revealed a beautiful relationship that these teachers developed with the students – a relationship borne out of love for what they are doing, a realization of the immense responsibility and opportunity that they have in shaping their learning.
