Dear Chandrika Sukumaran Ma’am,
I was a very shy kid who had major confidence issues until you came in my life. I remember until the third standard, I pretty much used to flunk all the classroom tests. I still have those report cards which said I need to participate more, need to make friends, pay attention in class. You see, I was that aloof kid on the second last bench who absolutely hated school. But then you came in my life in fourth grade. All of my friends used to talk about how you were the strictest teacher in school.
I remember being scared even before school started. But you believed in me from the first day of the year, not only me, you believed in all of us and helped us reach our potential. You saw the honest kid in me and always encouraged me to speak up. I distinctly remember participating in everything that year, from fancy dress competition to quiz competitions to olympiads and scholarships. I went on to participate and win a lot of competitions throughout my schooling.
But most importantly, I loved going to school and it’s the place where many of my lifelong friendships begun. I’m in a good place now. You taught me voicing up my opinions and it’s helping me big time in today’s world. A lot of your values have stayed with me since then. I miss you on every Teacher’s Day.
Thank you for turning that shy, introverted kid into what I am today.