Role of pedagogues in times of pandemic

You never know what life has in store for you, it certainly has a much bigger plan than you do. It is a steady mix of happiness, grief, ill-health, stability and constant struggle. The year 2020, though has been unkind to humanity as a whole, has been challenging for many in various sectors. Among the worst-hit are educators who had to face a major task of getting things together without actually coming together.

While frontline warriors including medical fraternity, police and voluntary organisations jeopardised their lives waging a relentless battle against the pandemic, millions of unseen soldiers have been working hard to keep up the spirit of teaching and learning. They had to face one of the major tasks of keeping the students occupied and productive during the time of lockdown and with many having little knowledge about online teaching, lack of technical knowhow, digital skills and virtual learning resources. Still they emerged victorious when they managed to proudly sit before the laptop to teach their remote learners through online classes.

Years from now, 2020 will be remembered as the year we all learned how to live life at a distance from each other and continue to function as a society. It matters not just for the students in the class today but those who will attend in the future as well. Teachers are part of a large-scale systemic change and are making history. Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.

When the world is faced with dismal present and a bleak future, it is the teacher who simply through the act of doing their job shows us the light at the end of the tunnel and leads the younger generations slowly but surely towards it. Let's value our teachers and their teaching which is truly an act of faith and humanity. With their innovative ideas of teaching to their excellent time management skills the teachers have in all the ways proved that it takes real passion and commitment to make their work speak for them.

The teachers with respect to their profession have to continue their job and keep up the sprit of teaching and learning. On a personal front, there is much more effort required from a teacher's end. They need to connect with the students emotionally and have them along the path of learning, ensuring that what is taught has an impact on the child's life. On the other hand, convince the parents of their child's all-round growth, and creative wellbeing, as in this time of uncertainty the only assurance that a teacher can give any parent is the trust that their child will have a year full of new things to learn, not just that, but the students also teach a lot of new things to teachers. Teachers and students keep each other engaged in school activity, with high sprit of enthusiasm.

Teaching basically is not a profession it is a service which creates many other professions. For the generations to come, teachers are setting an example as to how a selfless and encouraging a job could be. From learning an all new way of implementing education, the teachers have to also learn how to tackle emotional and psychological stress at the same time. This pandemic has taught us that schools are so much more than just educational institutions, and teaching is one of the toughest jobs. Can one imagine that one of the hardest parts of battling a global pandemic can be teaching…? But this is true. Ask a teacher what it takes to get the attention of the class when there is so much happening around at home.

Dear teachers, a big thank to you, you will never be enough, but we would like to say, you are doing a great job and deserve all the respect and gratitude. Thank you for being such support during this time, as the world fights this global pandemic.