Education
Straight from the heart: The essentials of being a teacher
DIMAPUR — Inspired by his father, who was a teacher, Rokosekho Ronald Meru also took up teaching as a career option and went on to create a niche for himself as an educator, winning the District Level Teachers’ Award in 2018 and the State Level Teachers’ Award, 2023, for his dedication and service.
Meru, who has a Master’s degree in History from Madurai Kamaraj University and a B.Ed from Nagaland College of Teacher Education, currently serves as a post-graduate teacher (History) at GHSS Sechü (Zubza). He has served in various capacities and places, including GPS Khonoma and GHSS Pungro, Kiphire, during his career spanning 22 years.
Through years of dedication, he has shaped his teaching practice to inspire and educate. Besides school responsibilities, he regularly visits students at home and engages with their parents. He creates individualised study timetables tailored to the needs of each student and monitors their progress, especially during exam periods. A skilled carpenter, he also does most of the repair work at the schools where he works, often at no cost.
In an interview with Eastern Mirror, Meru shares his experiences as a teacher, offering insights and lessons for both new and veteran educators.
Looking back from your first year of teaching to now, with 22 years of experience, what have you learned about the teaching profession?
Reflecting on my journey from my first year of teaching to now, with 22 years of experience, I have come to believe that teaching is the noblest profession. It should be a calling that comes from the heart, as teachers serve as mentors and role models. Effective teaching requires a strong foundation in subject matter expertise and communication skills. In my view, teaching should be a devotion, not just a job.
While there may not be a definitive textbook for becoming an exceptional teacher, what do you believe are the most crucial qualities for a successful educator?
A successful educator is one who consistently prioritises the betterment of their students. In my view, key qualities of an effective teacher include a passion for teaching, deep knowledge and understanding, adaptability, empathy, creativity and strong classroom management skills. Beyond focusing on the curriculum, a teacher should also foster the development of students’ behaviour and character to promote their lifelong success.
In addition to educational qualifications and training, what personal qualities do you think a teacher should possess to promote lifelong learning in students?
To effectively promote lifelong learning in students, a teacher should shape them into individuals who will become valuable assets to society and responsible members throughout their lives. Students should also cultivate qualities such as creativity, curiosity, reflectiveness, and resilience through continuous learning from various sources.
How can students contribute to creating a more engaging and secure learning environment?
When you say that classroom learning depends on both teachers and students, I believe it starts at home – it is the first place where we start learning. Home is the first school, with parents being the initial teachers. Therefore, a supportive home environment is crucial for an engaging learning experience. When students come to school, they should actively participate, cooperate, collaborate, and adhere to rules. They should also be punctual, disciplined, and exhibit supportive behaviour toward their peers and teachers.
If you were to address the true realities of being a teacher, what would they be?
Teaching is a demanding, full-time profession where teachers act as builders of society. It is not a fallback option for those unable to find other employment. In my view, only those who truly love teaching should pursue this career. The role of a teacher involves understanding both the rewarding and challenging aspects of the profession, including the impact on students, workload, preparation, emotional involvement, and professional development. Beyond classroom duties, teachers are also responsible for various administrative tasks and extracurricular activities. We must be committed to guiding students in every possible way, both within and outside the school.
What advice would you offer to teachers who find it challenging to capture the attention of all their students?
One of the first steps according to me is, teachers should first try to know the background of the students, we should also give personal attention and importance to every student, not simply leaving out one or two and let them do as they wish. A teacher should present himself as a friend and build relationships, and also use varieties of teaching methods with activities, children develop and positive reinforcement, making the classroom a good environment, not acting like a ruler or a dictator.
One of the first steps, in my opinion, is for teachers to understand the background of their students. Personal attention and equal importance should be given to each student, rather than neglecting one or two and allowing them to drift. Teachers should present themselves as approachable friends and build strong relationships with their students. A teacher should also use varieties of teaching methods with activities, children develop and positive reinforcement which can help create a supportive classroom environment, rather than adopting a rigid or authoritarian approach.
Could you provide an example of how you make learning enjoyable for students, particularly in a subject like History?
As I mentioned earlier, creating a conducive environment is crucial for students to enjoy their learning process. Therefore, teachers must employ effective skills and techniques, especially in subjects like History. For example, on the first day of each year in Class 11, after introductions, I have my students write on the topic “A history of my previous school.” I encourage them to include everything they remember—sports, picnics, friends, lunch breaks, birthdays, teachers, and more. They really enjoy this activity.
This exercise serves a dual purpose. Not only do I treasure these writings throughout their two years in school, but reviewing them also helps me understand each student’s background and personality. This analysis informs my approach to teaching, allowing me to tailor methods to best suit their needs.
I assign tasks like interviewing grandparents or elders about their village’s history and bringing their findings a week later. After school activities such as sports week or field trips, I ask students to write short reports, to inculcate a habit of writing.
I also use small rewards to encourage participation. For instance, when studying coins in History, I ask students to bring in the oldest coin they can find, with the student who brings the oldest coin receiving a 100 INR reward.
What resources or opportunities do you wish students in remote areas of Nagaland had access to?
Infrastructure in remote areas is often inadequate, with poor toilet facilities, limited internet access, and insufficient hostel accommodations for boys and girls. For the past decade, I have observed students from 4-5 villages walking daily to attend classes at GHSS Pungro, as their villages lack high schools. This situation is disheartening.
To address these challenges, special funding programmes and packages for these students would be beneficial. Government bodies, authorities, or NGOs could offer support through initiatives such as field trips, study tours, and exchange programs with urban schools. Providing special tuition, remedial classes, scholarships, and financial aid would greatly help these students.
Given your background as a master carpenter, do you believe schools should incorporate skills like carpentry into their curriculum?
Carpentry was already included in the curriculum, but its implementation varied across schools. While some had dedicated carpentry instructors, others did not. At GHSS Pungro, we offered multi-skill and vocational subjects, but these programmes faced challenges due to inadequate facilities, resources, and a lack of trained teachers.
Better facilities and resources, along with the appointment of regular trained teachers, would greatly benefit students. An awareness of the importance of carpentry and the dignity of labour is crucial, as carpentry is a valuable skill used in daily life. There was a time when girls outnumbered boys when we announced that carpentry classes would be conducted.
For people in Pungro, selling handicrafts in other towns and cities is challenging. Providing opportunities for learning and marketing these crafts would be highly beneficial. Although some students can create handicrafts, finding buyers remains a problem. A well-organised market system could help address this issue.
How has the overall performance of your students evolved over the years?
Over the years, the success of the students has been both notable and satisfying. Academically, many have completed their graduation and master’s degrees, with some securing employment, while others have become self-employed using various skills. However, a lack of marketing facilities remains a challenge. On the other hand, the HSSLC exam conducted by NBSE has shown consistent improvement rates year by year.
When I first joined, the school had recently been upgraded, and the new Class 11 students came from diverse backgrounds with varied behaviours. Over time, they adapted and learned to adjust their behaviour accordingly.
Any message that you would like to share?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my administrators—Sir Lima Wati, Sir Imtisosang, Sir Arvind Kumar, Sir Imti Yanger, Ma’am Alemsangla—and all my colleagues who supported and encouraged me during my ten years at GHSS, Pungro. I am deeply indebted to them. Since my transfer seven months ago to GHSS, Sechü, I have been very happy and confident in my role here. I am fortunate to work with a dedicated team of colleagues and to be under the capable leadership of our principal, Sir Peihau, and our vice-principal, Sir Lhoukuo Chüsi, both of whom are understanding and supportive.
I humbly pray to Almighty God for good health so that I can continue serving my students with dedication for the remaining eight years of service before my retirement.
RAPID INSIGHTS:
Your favourite childhood memory
One of my favourite memories is from November 25, 1984, when I was in Class 5 and was baptised at the church.
What brings you the most joy?
The success of my students.
If you could take your students to a place for a tour, where would it be?
I would choose Nalanda University. It is an ancient and significant educational site where scholars from around the world come to learn, and it is deeply connected to the study of history.