In India, we celebrate Teacher’s Day on September 5th. 

For me, some teachers have left an indelible mark on who I am today. These teachers have shown up in form of parents, spouse, teachers, friends, relatives, bosses, colleagues, my own kids, and so many people online who touch my life with their generosity. 

I am reminded today of one of my school teachers who played a crucial role and left a lasting impression on me as a student. Mrs. Gill was our class teacher in seventh standard – a very charismatic and polite lady who taught us English, Social Studies and Moral Science as subjects. She was gentle, highly communicative and believed in making a dialogue with the students that she felt had some potential. She had a holistic perspective of education which was not only limited to the subject matter.

That year, the annual function comprising of cultural and extra curricular academic activities were scheduled after the first preliminary exams in September. Mrs. Gill was the coordinator of the extra-curricular development activities. She was given responsibility to organize recitation and elocution competitions. She had to identify students, give them the subjects, co-ordinate their rehearsals and final performances on stage.

One day, just as our social studies class was about to get over, she read the list of participants for poetry competition. While I was least attentive to what she was reading out, I heard my name! It was a surprise – albeit not a very pleasant one for me since I never thought someone could consider me for such competitions. The same day after the school time, I nervously approached her in the staff room and requested her politely to remove my name from the list. I thought I could never read out poetry aloud in front of hundreds of other students and faculties. She sensed my nervousness, asked me to sit and extended some comfort.

“Why are you so afraid?” she inquired.

“No, it is not possible for me to read poetry on stage. I am afraid I will not be able to do it” I honestly responded.

She continued her counseling, “Tell me, what do your parents do?”

“They are both government servants and work together in a same engineering college” I informed.

She gently moved her hand on my head and said, “Look, your parents work so hard, pay your fees and send you to such a good school. They have many expectations from you right? I think you should participate in recitation and show that you also can do it.” I was listening.

She continued, “Each one of has a lot of potential and it has to come out. I see that you have the ability to do this. The only thing you really need to overcome is the fear. Fear of failure and rejection. And even if you fail – so what? Neither world is going to stop because you failed nor will you die. Why not give it a try?” I was still listening.

“See me in the rehearsal hall tomorrow” she instructed.

Next day in rehearsals, I was given a poem to recite. The poem was Thomas H. Palmer’s “Try again”. It took me some time to gain confidence but I was improving as each day passed. Finally, after a few weeks of rehearsals, I was able to recite the poem in front of all the students of my school. Even though I did not win the competition, it was a big victory for me. I had left the fear of public speaking behind me. It was my first small success that taught me some of the most valuable lessons in life.

The words of the poem I recited go like this:

    ‘Tis a lesson you should heed,

    Try, try, try again;

    ‘If at first you don’t succeed,

    Try, try, try again.

 

    Once or twice though you should fail,

    Try again;

    If you would at last prevail,

    Try again.

    If we strive, ’tis no disgrace

    Though we may not win the race;

    What should you do in that case?

    Try again.

 

    If you find your task is hard,

    Try again;

    Time will bring you your reward,

    Try again.

    All that other folks can do,

    With your patience should not you?

    Only keep this rule in view–

    Try again.

Mrs. Gill aptly selected the poem for someone like me who feared failures. I felt the poem was written for me. Mrs. Gill was a true teacher. Her message to me in form of this poetry was loud and clear – if everyone else can do it, you can certainly do it.

Growth comes from doing things beyond ones capabilities and there is an element of fear attached to anything that we have not done before. In such moments, we need someone who pulls us out of our fears, believes in us, reaffirms our faith in ourselves and shows us the right direction. Mrs. Gill did just that. The lessons I learnt from the small poetry competition helped me all the way in my career – first as a contributor and later as a leader. 

I haven’t met Mrs. Gill since since 25+ years but I still feel indebted to her for whatever small magic she did with me in my formative years.

Long live Mrs. Gill and long live good teachers!

(Written originally in 2009, slightly updated.)