Be a Marigold Inspiration

Behind every child that believes in themselves is a teacher that believed in them first. 

Dedicated to my dear teachers, Mrs. Bev Koops and Mrs. Lavonne Roosendaal

    Out of 92 students that passed out with me from school, twenty-two years ago, around seven of us only chose teaching in some way- whether in a school or college- while most of the others chose the 'popular' professions. Who wants to teach kids? Who wants to correct answer sheets all their life? This same pattern keeps happening even today, if you look into our communities and see how many choose to become teachers. Well, teachers are the least paid group universally, so nobody would turn to even consider this as a job option. Then how can you blame the education sector for not having quality teachers to teach your kids? How can you point your finger at them saying the teachers or professors of today lack expertise or subject knowledge? If the cream of the society chose not to opt for this most 'noble profession' of all, then how can we expect our next generation to be moulded in the right way? With the boom of social media and the ridiculous use of mobile phones regardless of age, who even bothers to care for the generations to come? 

    Schools are too busy making money, teachers are too busy coveting what the other teachers in the other school have got, students are too busy gaming or glaming themselves up and parents are too busy to even care about anything as long as their kids are out of the house during school hours. Wasn't life so simple thirty, forty years ago? I truly am grateful that I completed schooling without the distraction of this mobile phone- which does indicate that I belong to the ancient ages now. For someone who is passionate about teaching and education, I dread what is yet to happen in the future. I know the phones are a necessity today- for sending study materials or urgent messages-but we are losing out on our lives and our future generations. We are failing them- as they consider the most unimportant things as important in their lives now. They become stressed if you delete a game from the phone memory or if you change the menu a bit. Thirty years ago there were zero counselors in schools, but what about now? 

    Let's keep those thoughts to rest for now. 2025 has turned out to be my years of many dreams coming true- I began studying an online doctorate course (Ed.D) in English language instruction, working part-time as a Substitute teacher in a nearby school district, led three Vacation Bible Schools over the summer and took my family to my birthplace, Seattle. While in Seattle, I happened to meet my old teachers from my first school. Well, though they are quite old in age, too, I knew they are still those young people at heart as soon as I saw their eyes twinkle. All thanks to Facebook, I had found them ages ago, and we know what's been happening in each other's lives all this time. Even though I am not that small kid anymore, I felt so safe once again, sitting in the living room of Mrs. Roosendaal along with Mrs. Koops, yes, my Kindergarten and first grade teachers respectively. Safe- that's exactly how I felt back then in the 90s, in their classrooms, in a time when there were hardly two or three migrant kids like me in each grade. That was a time no one spoke openly about inclusion or multiculturalism- I know I never studied that for my B.Ed course, but now I have module after module about culturally responsible classrooms in my doctorate course!! These teachers, and the others who taught me back then, like Mrs. Alberda and Ms. Bron, all knew exactly how to handle someone like me in their classes, without studying pages and pages of theories. 

    My mother used to always say that whenever someone asked me what I would like to become when I grow up, I would only reply 'teacher' and more specifically, 'a kindergarten teacher'. Mrs. Roosendaal is the reason. I do not remember what we learned or what was done in class, but I believe that her charm and aura were my reasons to say so and be inspired- for life. As I grew older, I realized the Kindergarten aspect may not apply to me much as I was horrible in handling small kids so I just focused on becoming a 'teacher'. My 7th grade English teacher- Annie Cherian Miss is the reason why I became an ENGLISH teacher. These teachers left such an indelible mark on my life, that even though I had second thoughts on whether this profession is suitable for me or not, I still kept going. The one-month training period during my B.Ed course was the worst experience I could ever have, coming from the background of studying in an ICSE/ISC school and having to teach students in a state syllabus school that least bothered about English. I came home dejected each day thinking I was going to be doomed if I ever become a teacher. But each day was an experience that made me more confident and focused to live my dream. 

    India gave me a deep respect for my teachers. Its supposed to be inbuilt in our genes to respect our gurus. On becoming a teacher myself, I feel that respect grew even more. That is the reason why I keep going back to my old schools or colleges, meet my old teachers and share what life has given to me- my joy in teaching. Before traveling to Seattle, I messaged Mrs. Koops on whether it would be possible to meet her somewhere during the days I was there. She made this encounter double special by including Mrs. Roosendaal, too!! The time from 10.30 am to 1:00 pm went by so fast as we talked on topics that concerned us so much- the confused world we live in, a comparison of the Indian and US education contexts, Christianity today, traveling and so on. Mrs. Roosendaal brought out her treasure-book- filled with photos of each Kindergarten class she ever taught for the decades of experience she had in my old school Watson Groen Christian School (which is now known as Shoreline Christian School)- and found my class photo right where it was supposed to be- the 1990-'91 batch. We even found my cousins' too, who studied five years after me! We were able to remember together that our class portrayed a drama of 'The Ugly Duckling' story that year. She even showed me a beautiful glass salad bowl that my mom gifted her, which happens to be similar to one at our home in Kerala, too!! 

    I think years melted away from both my teachers that day (and even me!) as we were able to reminisce the good ol' days. It has become a core memory for me to cherish always and a boost to keep doing what I was called to do- teaching. Being married to a priest, I have been blessed with varied teaching experiences from different parts of India. Now I can easily compare that with the American context, as I am exposed to classrooms here. But I pause to wonder, has DISINTERESTEDNESS affected our 21st century children worldwide? Have we teachers failed to instil the PASSION for learning in them? Why are we not able to make our students love READING more than 'watching'? Why isn't anyone CURIOUS about anything happening around? Why does nobody CARE anymore?  Kids are not to be blamed- as they learn from us, adults, right? Yet the blame falls on the teachers mostly- and they just try to keep the calendar year moving forward, hoping for more incentives and morale boosts from some corner. Each day ends with the heavy sigh and not a joyful laugh. We do not want change- and students hardly notice. Just like any profession, a burnout occurs sometime in our career, or a fallout makes us resign our jobs and move on to the next. This instability and insecurity has cursed our 21st century jobs and it has affected the most important of all sectors- education. As I said before, the cream of the society do not chose this profession, then how can whoever is left to fend for themselves in the teaching line, mould the next generation on their own? How can they be self-reflective teachers who believe in themselves if they lack hope in anything at all? How can they inspire their students if they lost their own inspiration in life? So, teachers, please: 

I – Ignite curiosity
N – Nurture growth
S – Support every learner
P – Promote creativity
I – Include diverse voices
R – Reflect and refine practice
E – Empower for lifelong learning

    Marigolds are beautiful annual flowers, known for their bright orange and yellow colors, and are often used as companion plants and cut flowers. They also have natural pest-repellent qualities. Marigolds are also flowering plants that 'let others grow'. There is a saying that you should find your marigold wherever you go so you can be in a comfortable zone, but I say to 'BE A MARIGOLD' yourself. Human beings, with their competitive spirit or, just the opposite, indifference towards others, tend to knowingly or unknowingly stomp their ways out. Students have to feel welcome in our classes, our colleagues have to be motivated because of our presence, the administration should feel energized to do more for the benefit of the students because of  such 'marigold' teachers. So be a MARIGOLD-inspiration to others. 

    Being miles away from my Indian base, as the 5th of September approaches, I sit here in a small town in Illinois, remembering the teachers of my past- those who taught me, inspired me and believed in me- those who studied with me and worked with me. I remember my old students who have made the past September 5ths special for me. I look to the future, worried of the upcoming generation- the one including my own daughter. I worry we will just have content creators, gamers and social media influencers in the future- and not a generation that cares, moulds and builds for the right reasons. I am anxious to see how selfish we become, scrolling on and on into oblivion, not looking up to care about what actually matters. I am concerned about the most confused, queer, godless set of people we have ever seen in history and how that is affecting the young minds of today. I pray that more focused, determined, expert, fascinating, responsible, godly, inspired teachers and educators rise up and be marigolds in the midst of roses, jasmines, daisies, lilies and orchids. I can witness about so many Marigold-teachers that I have been blessed to be taught by or work with. The future needs more of them. So, may we plant flourishing gardens of learning in our communities- and make sure our children live to see the light shine on them always to keep blooming. 

HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY 2025!!! 

- Remya Rachel Thomas