If only Dear School...

I was never keen on a Corporate career-the timings, the idea of sitting before a screen all day, the competition...I hated those aspects. On the other hand, since the day I started learning to be a teacher, I couldn't wait to be one. The prospect of working with young minds, of facilitating the laying of the foundations of human civilization--Knowledge & Wisdom, and of course; the much sought after comfortable timings &; vacations (A big fat lie :P ) seemed worth going after.

Today...now, as I write this, I sit in front of a screen, in a corporate office during a short break, with colleagues who are companions too, with a Boss who is more of a guide, a supporter, an appreciator, a friend. Yes, there might be stress, but I don't see anyone walking around with their heads on fire. Yes, there might be friction, but there are patching ups too. Yes there are breaches of trust, but there are people who you can bank upon. Yes, the timings & the distance are challenging, but I don't feel strangled by stress, nor do I get nightmares of coming back the next day (at least, not yet :P).

Well, the ways Life surprises us, I say!!

Anyway, deep down I see a sad smiley written at the bottom of my heart :( Today, it looks like I have stumbled upon a Full Stop to my Teaching career. All those words of encouragement & appreciations from my professors and my students while on training feel like lies in the real world...sorry teachers, working in a pressure cooker has taken away the sap from me.

I dedicate the following to all those let-down but Amazing Teachers who have quit their jobs...

If only Dear School (Do repeat the phrase before each sentence)...

...You had been a Haven & not a Trauma

... You appreciated us, not just when we accomplished but even when you saw that we were trying.. Hard, very hard

...You had gifted us with Comradeship & not just stabbed us with your Judgments.

...You had defended us when we were accused unfairly

...You hadn't burdened us with excel sheets, 100 files and untimely e mails

...You had given us a break during school hours; from STANDING ALLL DAY  among the Same        children who grew RESTLESS EXPONENTIALLY with each passing moment, a break to sit            down, breathe, relax & just be ourselves--Even Donkeys take a nap!!

...You had been a place of Smiles & Enthusiasm and not one of Tears & Palpitations

...And Most Importantly...

 If only Dear School, you had Treated Us with DIGNITY...

We would have

... felt One with you

... proudly marched With you rather than turning our back on you

... got the Drive & the Will to work harder & smarter; for you

...cheered for you among friends & family rather than rolling our eyes and cursing you

...spent our "being-an-overworked-clerk" times for being a Creative Teacher the next day, for being a    Loving Wife, a Daughter, a Sister, a Mother...

...have Respected you rather than Fearing you

...And Most Importantly...

...We would have Loved Ourselves for what we are-- Teachers

 and Loved you for what you would then be-- A Pressure Cooker A Truly great institution-- School

    

Image Credits-

http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/25-tricks-to-stop-teacher-burnout/
http://www.shutterstock.com/s/%22sad+smiley%22/search.html
http://www.growwithcountybank.com/2014/07/10/three-tips-to-a-happy-workplace/
http://pixshark.com/happy-teacher.htm