Power and Worth of a Teacher

I joined teaching profession by compulsion to earn. I discovered there was not much money or social recognition compared to other professions. But value added returns were far more satisfying.

Helen Keller, whose name makes every American feel proud, was problem child of her parents. Meningitis attack in her childhood left her dumb and blind. It was impossible to handle her. But as the saying goes, when disciple is ready, the teacher arrives. In Helen’s case disciple wasn’t ready but the teacher was.

Her teacher, Annie devised ways to teach her alphabets by a unique method of writing then on hands and feeling the breath of the sound. Helen made hell of her life. Parents were fed up. The teacher didn’t give up. Helen had to learn alphabets and words.

Helen Keller became first dumb and blind person to complete her graduation. She learned music. Her autobiography became bestseller. She wrote twelve more books and numerous articles. Every American president during her lifetime met her. Annie lived with Helen life long. She died at the age of 88.The money Helen Keller earned from her books was converted into a foundation which still works for the welfare of the deaf and blind world over.

Has any emperor on this earth achieved greater victory than her teacher. She made a celebrity out of a notorious, undesirable child. That is the might of a teacher’s intentions. Let all teachers be like that. Hats off to all teachers.