Those who can, teach..

When I grow up...



I wanna be a teacher.



I wanna be a lawyer.



I wanna be a policeman.



Typical, but true. These were the three 'dream jobs' I grew up with. Never an astronaut, a doctor, or a pilot. Some may say I don't dream big. But who are they to crush dreams, innocent ones I must add?



Today I'm an educator, and for two years-and-two months now. So you can say that I've met one of my life goals. Not that I knew any better at the tender age of 7!



Then, and up until three years ago, I thought the life of an educator was teriffic. Never mind the endless horror stories from my teacher-friends. I had a dream and that dream was to be someone who can regale young minds with life stories that spark imagination and thought, to coach the under-achieving, to guide the gifted, to motivate and mentor each student to soar, to polish raw talent until they glow and shine bright, or simply, to make them wonder.



Have I done any of that? Only time will tell.



Today, I still feel teachers are terrific. Like that of a doctor, it's a noble job. Selfless, for it's a profession always for the betterment of others. More than two years into the job, I feel more strongly about this. The teacher does alot. And the good ones whom I've met really suffer for their craft.



A teacher doesn't just teach. She coaches, guides, motivates, provides and nurtures.



While she does all of the above, she writes and prepare teaching material, she administers tests and marks test papers, often late into the night. She does the most possible to make everyone excel in these assessments. She ensures students are in school when they are supposed to be, not gallivanting at the movie theatres or shopping malls. She plans a programme for their holistic development and enrichment, not just focus on the academic path. She teaches them manners. Even tells them how to dress and style their hair. And many a time, she gives them a shoulder to cry on. Or a lift home.



I don't claim to be good at doing this. Far from it. I admire the many before me, who can. And I'm now not sure if I can. This doubt, once creeping, is now running through me.



Can I do this? Am I right for this dream job?



Knowing this, I'm confounded by the one who came out with this saying: those who can, do; those who can't, teach.



It's funny how some people actually believe in this. More so, if it comes from the highly successful ones. How quickly they forget, at some point in their life, there had been a teacher who played a part in making them what they are today.