Teachers and teaching

I am not really sure how many people are fortunate enough to have a teacher that they would remember for a life time. I am one of those fortunate ones. I don't just remember her, but owe what I am today, to that wonderful lady. She was my maths teacher and I wish I had been in touch with her. I do think of her often, but even more, after I read 'Tuesdays with Morrie'.

She had a very profound impact and a very positive one, on me and how I perceived the world. If I am optimistic at least 75% of the time, I owe it to her. If I see the world as a big happy place to live in, I owe it to her. If I see an opportunity in every challenge (i don't want say it a "problem"), she carved me so. The strangest part is, I didn't get any special attention from her, to have such an impact. She was the same with everyone in the class. The moments I spent with her alone were purely on mathematical grounds - about public exams, about math competitions and what-nots. She was elderly and commanded respect from every one, not because of her age, but because of her character.

I was young then and green. And I wanted to mimic her. I am a software engineer now, but I wanted to become a teacher - a maths teacher in the very school I went to. My mother wanted me to give a shot at the engineering entrance exams. I had been reluctant. I wanted to become a teacher - like my own. I was adamant and refused to even listen to any suggestions that so many people gave related to engineering entrance. Then one day, she called me alone and asked what I was planning to do after high school. I told her that I want to become a maths teacher and that I want to do Masters in maths at IIT (Indian Institute of Tech) But back in 1990's, everybody was appearing for engineering entrance. It was supposed to the gateway to big fortunes. She raised an eyebrow after hearing my answer. She simply said, "Why don't you appear for the entrance exams? Why can't you try doing something that would place you in a better position financially? If you really want to be a teacher, you can do so even after retiring from IT industry after you have stabilized yourself financially". I would have marched right off the spot had it been anyone else. But I cant do that to someone whom I admired and adored. And so I appeared, and so I became a software engineer.

In retrospect, I don't think I would have succeeded in my own eyes, as a teacher, because I wanted to mimic her and that is too lofty a goal. Sure enough, I could teach people, and make them understand stuff. But I honestly do not think that I would have succeeded in sowing provoking ideas in my students in the arenas that she inspired many. She probably knew this.

I had been out of school for 9 years now, and I am not quite sure whether there are such good teachers today. I am not sure whether there would be teachers who help in moulding a kid's thought and leave a positive impact.