What a wonderful world!

Teaching: My Passion

Entry for:

The Bard's Hall Contest  (13+) JUNE: Annual Blog/Journal Month! #981150 by StephBee

Thank you StephBee and Ẃeβ࿚Ẃỉtcĥ for giving me a perfect reason to blog.

Since I was a wee little girl with two ponytails on either side of my head, I knew I’d want to be a teacher when I grow up. I learned my first alphabets while teaching my dolls.

Now at 39, I work as an ESL Instructor. I have to teach people 18 years and older, things like IELTS, GRE, GMAT, and also SAT English. Some of my students do call me Ma’am or Teacher. However, mostly they are like: “No, not Teacher, you’re more of a friend or an Apu”elder sister”. Please don’t be formal with us. So yes, I’m a sister figure around them. Colleagues would often smile when they discover me checking papers with one or two students either hugging me from the back, or resting on my shoulder. “Mother Bird”, they call me.

But the classes I enjoy most are the Kid’s English courses. It feels great being a positive part of a little life. Children know I love them, and they love me right back, even more.

However, here in Bangladesh, some parents consider single ladies as a “bad omen” or bad influence for children. (Not all, only some). So, when some parents learn I’m 39 and I was never married, they kinda crook their noses at me. So, even if I want to work in Primary, middle or high schools, I don’t. Because here, school means satisfying the parents more than the students.

But I do have one kiddo, a cute little 11-year-old chubby cheeked angel called Ahsina, who I teach online. The very first week I had her, 2 years back, I was drawn to the girl. Also, when her Mommy got to know I can never be a mother, she just pushed the girl into my hug and went: “There, take mine, help me raise her into a good human being. Don’t ever think you’re childless anymore, as you have her now.”

I started teaching Ahsina after a long time today, and instantly she was jumping with joy: “Miss I missed you!” The mother went: “We left no stones unturned looking for you.”
Having a student who loves me with all her heart, is a true blessing, Alhamdulillah!