I am the decisive element in the classroom.
It's my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power
to make a child's life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations, it is my response that decides
whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and
a child humanized or de-humanized."
~ Dr. Haim Ginott
My teacher regularly sends me inspirational quotes. Some of these have been extremely providential. They were right in my inbox when I needed them the most, sometimes reassuring me that I was on the right path, sometimes giving me a direction that I was unable to see due to the smog of apprehension.
The above quote was also sent by email. He also asked his students to share how he is in class. So, this post.
Joseph Pinto is a taskmaster. He is the one who insists on moulding us to the best of our capabilities. So demanding was his insistence on precision in editing and writing, that we, most of whom were fresh graduates with nothing but starry dreams about journalism, had a tough time trying to live up to these academic expectations barely a few months in the course.
He did not tolerate vague elongated sentences that stretched basic information worth eight words pulled to 25. We got half a mark straight for IDK (I don't know) and serious flak for beating around the bush in an attempt to fill the answer sheet. The teacher is decisive in class and the teacher cannot be fooled.
Thank you for the support, the guidance and for being the demanding teacher you have always been. We need more such teachers. Teachers like Joseph Pinto who steer the direction of your professional and personal growth by just being themselves, by not mincing words and by not compromising on what they have stood up for. May be, in the time to come, their wisdom will give us the courage to go 'against the tide.'
The above quote was also sent by email. He also asked his students to share how he is in class. So, this post.
Joseph Pinto is a taskmaster. He is the one who insists on moulding us to the best of our capabilities. So demanding was his insistence on precision in editing and writing, that we, most of whom were fresh graduates with nothing but starry dreams about journalism, had a tough time trying to live up to these academic expectations barely a few months in the course.
He did not tolerate vague elongated sentences that stretched basic information worth eight words pulled to 25. We got half a mark straight for IDK (I don't know) and serious flak for beating around the bush in an attempt to fill the answer sheet. The teacher is decisive in class and the teacher cannot be fooled.
Thank you for the support, the guidance and for being the demanding teacher you have always been. We need more such teachers. Teachers like Joseph Pinto who steer the direction of your professional and personal growth by just being themselves, by not mincing words and by not compromising on what they have stood up for. May be, in the time to come, their wisdom will give us the courage to go 'against the tide.'
9 comments:
One great teacher in your life can make up for the thousand idiots you meet :)
You reminded my own teachers whom i quote so many times.
One great teacher (I was lucky to have quite a few!) can take your life in his hands even without your knowing it and make it so worthwhile. When seen in the hindsight, there's just gratitude and more gratitude for them. i remember Fr. and must shoot a mail asap :)
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Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. A teacher needs to push beyond the potential a student exhibits.
Does your Pinto Sir trace his roots to Goa by any chance?
Anil-- He has roots in Goa and Mangalore. read his blog for more..
Next to parents, its the teacher who plays a very crucial role in the development of a child's psyche. Great that you had many inspiring teachers. As for me, I can remember only one single teacher who was inspiring , enlightening ; but that one person made up for all the insipid ones that ever taught me.
A teacher's power to influence is so great. Congrats on your teacher who inspired you to write this blog!
What a lovely tribute to your teacher! I hope that we as a nation never lose our reverence for those who educate us.
Thank you, Gauri, for your kind words. Peace and love - Joseph M. Pinto, Pune, India.
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