Dedicated and inspired by my school physics teacher Mr. A
Physics Test 1: So our physics teacher Mr. A , started writing out
the questions on the board , he was new in school , and the very 1st
test a teacher takes used to be our benchmark for rating his teaching skills as
students. (Oh yes , the easier the question , the higher the rating) . We had
great expectations from Mr. A – he was an influential speaker , with a unique
style and all – something we had’nt really witnessed before. But at the end of
the class , when the bell rang , we all were horrified – none of us were sure ,
what we had written . And then the results of our test converted our horror
into a dark reality , etched into our minds with the steel grey liquid – only 2
students had passed , rest all FAIL .
Physics Test 2 : So now we had already rated Mr. A as a scary
teacher –we knew there was no point . But then he surprised us , “It’s an open
book test , students” , he said .. That changed it all . Dear Sir , you don’t
really know , but we are good at ‘find , copy and paste’ (its actually the skill that
landed most of us as Engineers.) Half way through the test , he smiled and said –“You
can even go to the library if you want” . That was the signal – we realised even
no H.C. Verma’s would be able to help us now. Result the same – only this time
all FAILED .
Yes , we did’nt really like him in high-school , he was
non-methodological in his teaching ways –
and we , well we were used to the
routine manner of text book teaching , of mugging up and scoring , too lazy to
break the routine, to explore something which would’nt get us Marks- yes MARKS
was all our school life revolved around.
But then , came junior college , and as our little minds matured
a little ,we saw his ways. The respect for him started forming shape , and I
assure you , it has always grown since then. He did his best juggling between roles for us – a tutor , a
friend , a mentor – he knew when to be what. We did take undue advantage of his
sweet nature at times – bunking his lectures (ahh , it felt like new found
freedom) , emptying the mercury of the lab thermometers (i still recall how
much fun we had ) , it made him upset , but
in the end he always forgave us – he cared of his students we knew. Our lives
broke the cage of marks and we enjoyed the flavors of true learning, actually
being capable of being passionate about a subject.
Why I am penning this down ? Because I feel I owe it to him – his “crazy “ (apologize for the use of the word Sir - but crazy is what people understand ) ways of
teaching formed my way of thinking – the attitude of “breaking the routine” is
what does carries one a long way – be it college or work – and makes people
respect you. Dear Mr. A , you were
indeed one teacher , I am proud to have had , your non-methodological style and
attitude still inspires me to take those risks at work and in life, to be able
to think differently , and more
importantly, It freed me of my fears and made me feel that I can make my own space in the world.
