Teaching as a career.............

I've been asked a few times as to what made me choose teaching as a career.I've thought a while and come up with the following:

Teaching is more than just a job. It's a calling. It's an ever-surprising mix of grueling hard work and ecstatic successes, both big and small. The most effective teachers are in it for more than just a paycheck. They keep their energy levels up by focusing on why they got into teaching in the first place. Here are the top seven reasons you should join the ranks and find a classroom of your own.
1. The Energizing EnvironmentIt's virtually impossible to be bored or stagnant with a job as challenging as teaching. Your brain is constantly engaged in creative ways as you work to solve a multitude of daily problems that you've never faced before. Teachers are lifelong learners who relish the chance to grow and evolve. Moreover, the innocent enthusiasm of your students will keep you young as they remind you to smile through even the most frustrating moments.
2. The Schedule Anybody who enters teaching solely for a breezy schedule or carefree lifestyle will be immediately disappointed. Still, there are some benefits to working at a school. For one thing, if your children attend school in the same district, you will all have the same days off. Also, your will have approximately two months off per year for summer vacation. Or if you work in a year-round district, the vacation will spread throughout the year. Either way, it's more than the two weeks paid vacation given in most corporate jobs.
3. Your Personality And HumorThe greatest asset you bring to the classroom each day is your own unique personality. Sometimes in cubicle life, there's a need to blend in and tone down your personality. However teachers absolutely must use their individual gifts to inspire, lead, and motivate their students. And when the job gets tough, sometimes it's only your sense of humor that can keep you moving forward with any sanity.
4. Job SecurityThe world will always need teachers. If you are willing to work hard in any type of environment, you'll find that you can always get work - even as a brand new teacher. Learn your trade, earn your credential, become tenured, and you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you have a job you can count on for decades to come.
5. Intangible RewardsMost teachers find themselves encouraged and uplifted by the little joys that accompany working with children. You'll cherish the funny things they say, the silly things they do, the questions they ask, and the stories they write. I have a box of keepsakes that students have given me through the years - birthday cards, drawings, and small tokens of their affection. The hugs, smiles, and laughter will keep you going and remind you of why you became a teacher in the first place.
6. Inspiring StudentsEach day when you go in front of your students, you never know what you will say or do that will leave a lasting impression on your students. We can all remember something positive (or negative) that one of our elementary school teachers said to us or the class - something that stuck in our minds and informed our viewpoints for all these years. When your bring the full force of your personality and expertise to the classroom, you can't help but inspire your students and mold their young, impressionable minds. This is a sacred trust we are given as teachers, and definitely one of the benefits of the job.
7. Giving Back To The CommunityThe majority of teachers enter the education profession because they want to make a difference in the world and their communities. This is a noble and valiant purpose that you should always keep in the forefront of your mind. No matter the challenges you face in the classroom, your work truly does have positive ramifications for your students, their families, and the future. Give your best to each student and watch them grow. This is greatest gift of all.

Idly, Vada & Common Sense

Today, after a rather brisk walk at the "Lal Bhag', my wife & I ( my son was at his morning swim)stopped by at the 'Brahmins Cafe' for a our breakfast of 'Idly & Vada'.

Our so far pleasant day was brought to a rather abrupt end by a quartet of garrulous youth who thought nothing about blowing cigarette smoke into our faces.

The spirit of the old sea dog, in me surfaced and after a few menacing words the chaps were sent on their way, not before being reminded that it is against the law in India to smoke in public.( who cares!) ( A popular call sign these days)

On the way back, with my wife driving & me getting a bit of a snooze, I was shaken by a sudden commotion as a bus from 'Phillips' overtook us rather violently from the left. Over the last couple of hours I've been trying to lodge a complaint, but the Phillips transport department does not answer the telephone!

In this regard, a mail that a friend of mine sent me a while ago comes to mind & goes as follows:

'An Obituary printed in the London Times'
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the Worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers: I Know My Rights; I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame; and I'm A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothin.

While on the subject I reccomend a walk at 'Lal Bhag' followed by idly & vada at the ' Brahmins Cafe' at Shankarpura.

Its bliss!

Attack on SriLankan Cricketers

The attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Pakistan is perplexing to say the least, considering that their security seems to have been slack in light of the importance of the Sri Lankan cricketers as a terror target. While the LTTE promised not to harm cricketers and stood by their word, 'terrororists' operating out of Pakistan, have given no such assurance.

The Govt; of Pakistan seems to have been caught napping and one hopes that they will introspect their security apparatus rather than hastily pointing fingers at India.

For India, advancing the IPL to after the General elections, is a move in the right direction, considering that our security agencies would then be able to engage themselve completely with an event at a time.

Amidst the mayhem in our immediate neighborhood, India represents the only possible area where International teams from the Western World woud unhesitatingly travel and we would be well served to protect their faith in our ability to protect guests who travel to India.

Looking further afield we would be well advised in having a close look at our ability to host a safe 'Cricket World Cup' in 2010. The challenge is enormous!