An ode to Mrs Elizer — my English teacher
Teachers are unique in more ways than one. They, for one, are ubiquitous in our lives. Our beliefs, our knowledge, our likes and our dislikes are influenced in a significant way by the teachers who have crossed our life’s path. Teachers have another hidden facet. They lead lives of anonymity while inspiring their countless students to bask in the glory of their achievements.
As I prepare to enter into the sixth decade of my life, I look back at the teachers who stepped into my life, guided me, opened floodgates of knowledge and then gracefully slipped into oblivion. One such teacher was our English teacher in school named Mrs Elizer. She taught us English from Class 6 to 10. The name “Mrs Elizer” was enough to send our pulses racing and our minds going blank. She was, arguably, the most feared teacher of our school. This was so because of her intolerance of children copying answers or writing essays from the so-called “help books”. The slightest scent of the “help book” would result in the English notebook flying out of the door! She would insist not to explain each and every line of a poem saying that “Poem is to be understood as a whole. Sit back, enjoy the poetry even if you do not understand each and every word or phrase.”
Elizer Ma’am had a special liking for me because of my penchant for writing “out-of-thebox” answers and unconventional essays. My compositions would invariably find their way to the school notice board so that the other students could learn a skill or two in creative writing.
When I was in Class 8, she selected me as the member of the editorial board of the school newsletter and magazine and was entrusted with the task of writing the editorial despite the fact that I was the youngest student editor. She had the courage of her convictions to go to the school principal when he expressed his reservations about making me the chief editor despite my being the youngest. The confidence that she had in me worked wonders. My mind started to buzz with ideas about how to make the school magazine more reader friendly. I always found her listening intently and encouraging me even if I had, on hind sight, given a rather outlandish and unworkable idea.
I left school after class 10, went on to join a medical college and became a psychiatrist. Madam Elizer retired and was never seen again in the school. The interest that she evoked in English continues to this day. I continue to write and contribute to magazines and newspapers. A good teacher is a constant source of inspiration. Her values and her love for the originality have guided me into instilling the same in my adolescent son. I do not know where is Madam Elizer these days. But she continues to be young and vibrant as ever in my memories and my love for the language! May she live a long and healthy life.
TEACHERS LEAD LIVES OF ANONYMITY WHILE INSPIRING THEIR COUNTLESS STUDENTS TO BASK IN THE GLORY OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS