The author reflects on their 20-year teaching career and the challenges of self-identification as a teacher while striving to help students become more self-aware and confident. Despite facing skepticism about their role, the author finds fulfillment in the positive impact they have on students' lives and their growth. Through personal anecdotes, the author emphasizes the importance of understanding, empathy, and the rewards of teaching.

1. After investing 20 years of my life in academics I still wonder sometimes as to what I have been
doing all these years as a teacher. Depending upon my frame of mind I do get different responses
but nothing concrete. Many a times when I introduce myself as a Chartered Accountant working
for management institution teaching students, people are taken a back and with their reaction
even I am now forced to introspect whether I did the right thing or not.
People do ask me what do I do as a teacher and my simple answer as always been that I study
and imparts behavioral training to my students. I try to best of my ability help students become
self-aware by making them to understand their thinking patterns and accordingly help them
change themselves.
Many a times I have seen people making a faces exclaiming none can change another person.
Such a person doesn’t exist. All this kept me wondering what I was doing in the teaching
profession was a thankless job.
Those who can, DO. Those who can’t, TEACH.
Last week we had Final Research Project Viva for our graduating PGDM scholars. I was one of the
faculty cum director on the panel. We started viva bit early as most of the students were already
placed with different organizations.
One after the another student walked in and when it was my turn to ask question I restricted
myself to ask what behavioral difference they experience in themselves now specially when they
are working. It was really pleasant experience to see the confidence and hear such great
experiences from the young minds.
I thought of summarizing their views from our point of view to frame the answer to the question
I started with “What do I do as a TEACHER?”
I as a teacher make my student feel IMPORTANT and SPECIAL.
I as a make them LISTEN to me and my colleagues from 9:00 to 4:00 with break in between
I as a teacher make them work harder than they could possibly think they can
I as a teacher makes their class presentations feel like winning a match.
I as a teacher share feedback honestly
I allow them to IMAGINE & COMPOSE their THOUGHTS
I study their behavioral strength and work with in further strengthening them
I make them understand the importance of words THANK YOU and SORRY
I spend time with them to hear their side of the story
I make them sit without using any GADGETS for at least 45 minutes at a stretch and the process
I do make them READ and WRITE.
I hold their 100% attention in my class and that’s not an easy task
I believe in them and sincerely appreciate and value their efforts
I make them believe in their potential
In return for my SMALL efforts what I get from my students is very PRECIOUS.
TEACHING gives the privilege of touching so many lives and rewards with unexpected gifts.

2. I as a TEACHER hold myself responsible for bringing the best in evolving life of my student. As a
TEACHER if I fail to understand my STUDENT’S then I cannot teach them. To understand one has
to be KIND and EMPATHETIC.
Despite all this when people try to judge me by what I do. I can hold my head up high and pay no
attention for their ignorance. I have come to believe that never talk deeper on topics or anything
intellectual with people who spend most of their time in meaningless chatter. They won't
understand and consider you a fool. Or with those who are already fulfilled having accomplished
their dreams. They will prefer to SHARE than to LISTEN.
My heartfelt appreciation for all my passing out MCA and PGDM students for their exemplary
behavior and participation. I thank you all
CA Vinod Kr Sharma
17th April 2017