Teachers- Becca Lunt

 We have all had teachers in our lives. Being young, immature and slightly entitled I have never fully appreciated all that they have done for me until recently. Two semesters ago I landed a job as a TA for the nutrition department. As part of the job I teach 4 45 minute labs every week. These labs are taught to multiple sections and by numerous TA’s. The slides are prepared for us, all we have to do is go over them and make sure we fill up the time. For the first few months my job was a great source of anxiety, getting up in front of my peers and teaching a subject I myself recently learned, terrifying I did not understand why anyone would ever voluntarily choose teaching as a career. Things started to change however as I become a ore confident teacher. I started becoming more and more invested in their individual lives. I started loving my students and took great ownership in their success. I understood the draw of teaching. 

On Monday I was put in front of ten kids who didn’t understand a thing I said. The old feelings of anxiety started to return. How  could I teach them when I couldn’t even understand them? I slowly got the hang of it. In the beginning the kids were super shy and obedient, but then they got used to us. These kids have so much energy, so much to say, so much love to give. It is a little overwhelming in the best way possible. Today while trying to get my class in order I looked over at the teachers and realized how many people have invested little bits of themselves in me. How many teachers have sacrificed and loved me when they could have just dumped some knowledge on me, collected their meager paycheck and called it good. 

How thankful I am for the teachers in my life. How thankful I am for the opportunity to experience teaching. Teaching is so much more then sharing some wise words of wisdom, so much more then thinking of a craft to fill up time. Teaching is constantly giving your time, energy, and talents. Teaching is investing yourself in the lives of your pupils, but never expecting anything in return. Teaching is joy. I am so grateful for the lessons that the teachers here in India have taught me.