World Teachers' Day was celebrated on October 5.
I may not be teaching anymore but I received lots of messages from friends greeting me a "happy teachers' day."
It felt weird, honestly, to be greeted for something I thought I wasn't worthy of. I even told one of them that I don't deserve the greeting since I felt I never was a good teacher.
One text message made me think though. It was from a former co-teacher whom I have always looked up to for being so dedicated. She told me, "Wherever and whoever you are now and in times to come, your contribution to your former pupils will always be remembered and cherished. Happy teachers' day great teacher!" It took me a day to get over that text message.
Lying in bed that night, I tried to recall my life as a teacher - all the frustration, the pain - that was all I tried to think of. But in a small corner of my mind, or heart maybe, something reminded me of the simple joys I felt when first graders learned how to write, count and read eventually; of the proud smile I wear on the graduation ceremony of each of the four grade six classes that have been under my care.
These made me think, "I may not have been completely happy when I was teaching, but I guess I have to believe that somehow there are hearts I have touched, minds I have influenced and characters I have shaped; and yes, in one way or another, they have also helped mold me to become the Timna that I am now."
Happy Teachers' Day to us! :-)
