Teaching - the most noble job

Uma is a student (of Computer Applications). But she is a teacher as well. She teaches, at home, in the evening.
Last year, when she landed here, she didn’t have any serious activity. That made her dull and gloomy all day. I wanted to brighten up this girl (lady? The terminology may not be apt !). During the chats at home, I could pickup that she likes taking tuitions for children. That’s it. I made all possible environments for her to kick start a part time job – self employment – right at home. I could convince her to take up the task, though in a very low key, atleast to keep herself busy during the day. During March, just after the final year exams, I could canvas about ten students of the 9th and 10 th standards, from our residential colony. She started teaching English, with focus on conversational (spoken) English. However, she based her teachings on the class text books. This was an optimal arrangement.
I converted my car porch (garage) into a class room. About 15 students could be accommodated in this place. The open front side was provided with a sliding(roller) screen. A white board of 8’x4’ was fixed on the inner end wall. A wall mounting oscillating fan, and two tube lights were also fitted. 4 benches and desks, wooden, were also put. Additionally, I’d put provisions for mounting necessary electronic gadgets (for my virtual eyes). That’s her class room !

Uma did her BA Economics. She says, “I learnt many things, but not Economics”. I know now, Uma is good at Social Sciences, English and Maths. That’s enough for her to teach students upto say, 10 th standard. And, Uma does that very well. She is an excellent teacher !

I’ve been telling Uma, that one of the most important qualities of a good teacher is his/her ability to build a personal relationship with the students. Having made a good rapport, the student opens his/her mind to the teacher. This is exactly the opening to which the teacher drives in what she wants. Having opened their mind, the student builds up an attachment with the teacher. This bond is for ever. Uma is successful in implementing this principle. Invariably, she makes a close relationship with the student, boy or girl. Her first batch of about a dozen are her true ambassadors, and they brought in more students for tuition, this year. Now Uma has over 30 students, of 8/9/10 th standards. Uma is really proud of being a teacher. She enjoys teaching, and more than that, the personal relationships. The relationship, infact, have grown into different dimensions, building bondages of mind and the body.

Uma teaches in the evening, from 4 to 6 pm. The students reach our home, by 4 (after their school hours). She takes class for about 2 hours., and two days a week, for each batch. Additionally, Uma teaches a couple of 11th std girl students, for English, on Sat and Sundays.
Having converted my garage into a class room, my car is in the hot sun and rain ! Uma sympathesies my car and compels me to make a covered shelter for my Mary. Mary, you know, is my car. Guessed it ? My Mary is from the Maruthy family ! A home for Mary is being planned. Today, Tuesday, Uma will be teaching a class of 10 th std students ( 6 girls and 3 boys, if I remember right !). I’ve my remote eye placed in the class room.

You are invited... please come down ? I’ll show you, sitting in my bed room, how Uma teaches them. And ofcourse, interesting scenes too !