“Solitary Reaper” - A poem by William Wordsworth, my 7th Std English Teacher Mr. Britto taught this poem for 4 periods. He will take us to a different world. The inbuilt value from his classes which I realized later in my life was Empathy. The way he delivered is still lingering in my thought. “See how hard it is for a teacher to get into a child’s mind?”

Our Dean RJ Master, has the virtue of “கனிவுடன் கூடிய கண்டிப்பு”. That’s why, he is revered and remembered still by scores of students. Inspite of his 21 periods - Maths Teaching Schedule and as a Principal, he will go in rounds everyday to all the classes during the Lunch session, and take care if anyone has been deprived of it.

“Winning Relationships” is the key for a Great Teacher.

How to build it?

• Empathise – Be compassionate with the students
• Be Non-Judgemental – If we do not judge, our students will share their feelings without fear
• Seeking Answers - Winning Relationships urges the students to seek answers, much like teaching one to fish or to ride a cycle.
• Listening - A good teacher makes a student felt listened to. He mirrors back, helping one recognize contradiction, if any.

Making Winning Relationships happen is like good habits learnt early in life. A student whom encouraged with kindness and gentleness absorbs the lessons well. I know, it’s easy to preach. But if you practice this, the present generation learn best when they are positively nudged, not driven.

“ It is not what you say, but the manner in which you say it that matters.”