Oh! This word ‘Blackboard’ brings back so many memories and gives me goosebumps. As they say, once a teacher, always a teacher.
A teacher in a classroom, standing before children with a blackboard and a piece of chalk, is a Guru to them. A teacher not only imparts knowledge of various subjects but also instills good values to be followed in life. The respect a teacher earns is the most precious gift of all.
The interactions with students on topics beyond the curriculum—and the love and respect that come in return—are immeasurable. A teacher never really wants to retire, but rules require them to eventually do so.
Home Teaching
A teacher always finds someone to teach. After retirement, they often turn to their families. Poor family members, spare them!
The retired teacher now tries to bring order at home—not with a blackboard, but with gentle discipline. They seize every chance to lecture:
“Why don’t you keep things in their right place and follow some discipline in life?”
Family members, in turn, try to escape this teacher at home by staying out as long as possible!
Jokes apart, a teacher can never truly retire. If not before a blackboard, there are always new ways to share knowledge and guide those who need it.
Tuitions
Some teachers return to the blackboard by running coaching centres or taking tuitions at home to help students who need extra assistance to improve their grades.
Mobile Teaching
In some villages, dedicated teachers voluntarily teach underprivileged children who cannot reach distant schools.
They run mobile classrooms in vans, narrate stories, and teach the value of reading books and the importance of a library.
A blackboard remains an important tool. Yet, with the rise of digital boards, a teacher’s work has become easier and more engaging.
After Retirement
When a retired teacher is greeted at a function by grown-up students who seek their blessings, the feeling is beyond words. I have experienced this many times—and each time, it fills my heart with pride and gratitude.
Connectivity Through Social Media
With the advent of social media, teachers and students stay connected through WhatsApp and video calls.
A surprise video call from a student and their family takes a teacher right back to those blackboard days. Those memories flood in, brightening the entire day.
The Class Photos
Sometimes, I pull out class photos from different years and sections I taught long ago. I look at those cute eight-year-old faces and wonder how much they’ve grown—perhaps married now, with children of their own.
Meeting Students Again
There is no greater joy than when former students visit with their families.
I was blessed when two of my students from the 1990s came to meet me with fruits and sweets, introducing me to their children:
“Meet my teacher who taught your papa.”
When those little ones took my blessings, my heart filled with pride—and I felt like going back to my blackboard days once again.
A New Beginning
Now, in my 75th year, I’ve written my first book for children, “My Collection of Short Stories for Children.”
It brings me immense joy that some of my former students have bought my book to read to their kids.
What more could a teacher ask for? My wish has been fulfilled. I am deeply grateful to God for giving me the strength to write this book—it truly feels like I’m back to the blackboard once again through my stories that share moral values and lessons for life.
Image Courtesy: https://www.pexels.com/@markusspiske/
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– Poornima Sivaraman
About the Writer:
Poornima Sivaraman, a vibrant 75-year-young retired teacher, embodies a love for life and creativity. With a passion for connecting with people of all ages, she channels her energy into writing across various platforms, contributing to anthologies, and sharing her unique perspectives with readers.
Beyond her literary pursuits, Poornima enjoys singing and has recorded numerous songs on Star Maker, showcasing her melodious voice. A culinary enthusiast, she finds joy in cooking and believes in living a simple, meaningful life. Dedicated to helping others whenever possible, Poornima is a true advocate of kindness and positivity.
