Every year, Teachers’ Day makes me pause and reflect on my own journey as a teacher. Over the past seven years of tutoring mathematics, I have realized that teaching is not just about solving sums or explaining lessons. It is about encouraging children when they feel stuck, celebrating their small victories, and helping them believe they can achieve more than they think.

It is celebrated on September 5, the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who believed that teachers should be respected for the role they play in building lives and society. This reminder makes the day even more meaningful for me.

“The true reward of teaching lies in the confidence we awaken in our students.”

I still remember one of my students who struggled with algebra for weeks. The day she solved her first problem on her own, her smile said it all. That simple moment reminded me that teaching is about more than knowledge—it is about unlocking confidence.

Our tradition beautifully describes teachers with four meaningful words:

• Acharya – the role model, who teaches by example.
• Guru – the remover of darkness, guiding students toward wisdom.
• Shikshak – the educator, who builds knowledge step by step.
• Adhyapak – the one who teaches with discipline and structure.

In my classroom, I often find myself moving between all these roles—sometimes explaining patiently as a Shikshak, sometimes stressing on practice like an Adhyapak, and sometimes, if I am fortunate, being a Guru when a child’s eyes light up with understanding.

Teachers’ Day is, above all, a reminder of the trust placed in every teacher. For me, the greatest joy is knowing that even in small ways, I can help shape a child’s journey.