The power of a guiding voice is immense. It is not necessary that the minds and hands who shape us need to always stand in front of a blackboard and wield a chalk. It could be anyone who mentors you, guides your thinking and moulds your personality. On this day dedicated to teachers, read about these inspiring mentors celebrated around the world.
Albert Einstein: Gifted genius
Before he became a scientist of worldwide acclaim, Albert Einstein trained to be a teacher in physics and math. He took up a temporary job as a high school teacher, but it did not last long. He worked in another job for a few years, during which he put forward most of his path breaking work. He later took up a teaching job at a university and shared his knowledge with others.
Aristotle: Unparalleled mind
Aristotle, the Greek philosopher is one of the greatest thinkers in the world. His contribution to knowledge is extensive. He was mentored by another great mind, Plato, and was considered his most gifted pupil. When King Philip II of Macedon was looking for a teacher to tutor his son Alexander, he summoned Aristotle. The rest, as they say, is history. The duo became an example of one of the most endearing teacher-student relationships in the world, and Alexander went on to become one of the greatest kings in history.
Anne Sullivan: Miracle worker
Anne Sullivan lost her eyesight at a young age. She enrolled in the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, the U.S., during which time she had operations which improved her vision. In 1887, she accepted a challenging assignment — tutoring a young Helen Keller who was visually challenged and hearing impaired. It was the start of a 49-year relationship. Anne gradually won Helen’s confidence and became her trusted teacher, companion and friend. When Helen became the first visually challenged and hearing impaired person to earn a bachelor of arts degree, it was a sweet victory for both teacher and student.
Friedrich Froebel: Pioneer in education
You may not be familiar with this person, but you would most certainly have experienced his principles.
He was a German educator who laid the foundations for what we know today as Kindergarten.
He understood the importance of moulding children in their early years and laid emphasis on teaching by letting children engage in self-activity, talk and play.
Maria Montessori: Moulding young minds
This educator’s name lives on in her legacy. A doctor by profession, she gave it up to study education. She worked with children extensively and developed a system that is in use even today — the Montessori method. In 1907, she started the Casa dei Bambini, where her principles were put to use. The method, based on letting children learn with freedom, gradually spread to many countries.
CHANDIGARH, 30/09/2014: Formar President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam addressing scientists and school children during a lecture at Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTEC) in Chandigarh on September 30, 2014. Photo: Akhilesh Kumar
A.P.J Abdul Kalam: A teacher forever
Even a few minutes before his death, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was teaching. His end came when he was addressing students at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong. The former President of India is remembered for many things — one of them is his zeal for teaching and inspiring young minds. He always laid emphasis on the importance of teachers in society and strongly believed that youngsters are the key to a strong and self-reliant India.
Savitribai Phule: Ahead of her time
This inspiring personality was the first woman teacher in the country. Along with her husband, she started India’s first girls’ school in Pune in 1848. She went on to set up 17 more schools. At the time, not everyone around her supported her efforts to educate girls. She was determined to overcome resistance and did not give up the cause. She encouraged students not to drop out of school.
