One of my favorite experiences at Poornodaya has been working with the teachers. Four days a week I teach them English after school, and I’ve gotten to know a little bit more about who they are in and outside of the classroom, so I thought I’d provide a bit of context into their daily life.
Life of a teacher at Poornodaya begins at 4:30am. She wakes up and immediately begins to prepare tea, breakfast, and lunch for her family. The breakfast they eat together at home and lunch she packs up for her family members to take with them to work or school. She leaves the house anywhere from 7am-8am in order to make it to school by 9. Depending on where she lives, this might require a couple bus rides and a few kilometers of walking before reaching the Poornodaya grounds. Then her school day begins. She teaches from 9:30am-3:30 pm.
Unlike other schools, teachers at Poornodaya are always with the children, especially for the little things. They eat with the kids, wash their dishes with them, and even take part in games and festivities with them as well. I must say their vitality is incredible. For although the children are some of the most loveable little human beings you will ever meet, they require one’s full attention and maximum energy, and the teachers provide infinite amounts of both.
One of the most unique observances I’ve made about Poornodaya is the teacher/student relationship. There is a combination of respect, comradery, friendliness, and equality fostered between the students and teachers. I believe this is one of the most dynamic aspects of Poornodaya’s holistic education philosophy.
After classes, the teachers come to their English lesson for 45 minutes where I get the privilege to ring any last bit of vigor out of their system. However, by their attentiveness and willingness to learn, one would have no idea their day began at 4:30am. After making dinner for the family and putting their children to bed, they hit the pillow at 10:00pm…if they’re lucky!
The teachers at Poornodaya are ladies to be celebrated. Their ability to balance family life with work everyday, day after day is a feat overlooked and underrated by the typical passerby. With lots of gratitude, I thank them for their daily work, their daily presence, and their daily impact on each of their students.
Gabby Cosgrove
International Faculty United State
Poornodaya Vidyanikethan