A Kachchi Pakki Teacher

A kachchi pakki teacher...that’s what an aunt of mine called me with a slight derision in her voice. A teacher of nursery and kindergarten classes was called that when she was a teacher back in the 1940s. 

Well, if you please I am a kindergarten teacher and a proud one at that! I say this to everyone who asks me what I do and believe me when I say that I see a visible change in their stance. I look like a senior teacher thanks to my weight and serious bespectacled look. But then, they haven’t seen me in class. No one believes me of course...not when they know that I am an Economics honour from Delhi University or that I am a silver medalist from Bombay University. 

At my kachchi pakki best

Well, to be honest, I got into the teaching profession not by choice but because of what was expected of army wives at the time. This is the only profession that allowed you to move from one station to another and you had to take what you got. I vacillated between pre-primary and secondary for many years before realising that kindergarten was where I wanted to be...And then I stuck on. 

Why, you may ask, did I choose kindergarten? Well for starters, unconditional love, adoration and warm hugs to start your day. You enter the class and the welcoming smiles on 30 eager faces melt away all your tensions and worries. Be it a fight with the hubby in the morning or a slanging match with your daughter the night before; it all goes away. And the compliments you get even when you are at your bloated best, “Ma’am, you’re looking so beautiful today.” Best feeling in the world!

You are the best for your kindergartners simply because you are a mom away from mom. Someone who loves them and cares for them and is a constant in their initial school years. Moulding the little ones and helping them learn and grow is one of the most satisfying tasks and the positive feedback from parents makes my day!

Then let’s not forget the gratification of seeing these kids grow and do well in higher classes, getting awards or just being their confident selves...I get all emotional after all I helped water that plant and began its journey of blooming. 

With my kachchi pakki gang

I love my job, I love all my kids too! Sure, the job has its drawbacks, and I am getting older and as my kids put it, I expend all my energy and patience in school and end up being irritable and impatient with them at home. But you know what, kids will complain...it’s their prerogative but one thing I know for sure is the school will have to kick me out...I will not retire on my own. As they say in the army...I will go with my boots on!