Role of Teaching

I joined the M. L. Dahanukar College of Commerce on 09th July 1962 and retired on 30th November 1996. Because of the P.T.V.A. organization culture, supportive management, cooperative colleagues and devoted non-teaching staff, I got opportunities for growth. Even the students were sincere, dedicated and career minded.

I had in mind three objectives of teaching.

• From the student’s view point, it has to be examination oriented.
• Teaching should imply clarity of concepts.
• Knowingly or unknowingly, consciously or unconsciously, it should result in personality development.

A teacher’s purpose is not to create students accordingly to his own image, but to

Make teaching interesting and the discipline will take care of itself. Sow integrity, spirit of hard work, respect, gratitude and discipline.

Education should help build a person’s self-worth which in turn builds confidence. It should bring out the latent potential of students and mould them into employable persons. Education should inculcate values and hone skills which will produce competent human beings.

I knew that I cannot change anyone’s destiny, but I can awaken and empower students with loving motivational words.

I have tasted bitter ingratitude in my life but I don’t hold a grudge because holding a grudge is like allowing someone to live rent-free in your head.

I am happy that there are hundreds of students who kept me in their hearts rent-free for years. I am thankful to them.

Technology has taken an important place in teaching and is most certainly the future of learning. But a right blend of traditional teaching with rational use of technology is required. We can use technology for on-line assignments, research etc. but understanding of concepts has to be through age-old classroom teaching.

The academic system is in dire need of many reforms. Innovation and experimentation can change the face of education.

Some useful thoughts I wish to share with you, students.

• Dream Big
• Believe in yourself
• Develop self-esteem
• Build self confidence
• Develop communication skills
• Remember knowledge is power
• Be a perpetual learner
• Be an active listener
• Do you SWOT analysis
• Set out an achievable and realistic goal. Stay focused and committed to achieving your goal.
• Don’t try to change people. Accept them as they are
• Develop self discipline
• Manage time wisely
• Stay alert and updated – read voraciously
• Be ethical
• Nurture relationship
• Don’t hold a grudge
• Live with gratitude
• Commitment is an emotional intent backed by action
• There is no pillow as soft as clear conscience
• Inside every problem, lies an opportunity
• Your attitude determines your altitude
• Be assertive / not aggressive
• Be a good team player / leader
• Work smarter not harder
• Empathize, don’t sympathize
• Be creative, innovative and refreshingly different
• Be a good reader : Today a reader, tomorrow a leader
• Do not try to please everyone, you never can
• Be your own critic
• Recognize our self worth
• Never lose hope, hope is a rope that swings you through life
• At the end of the day, your soft skills will help you grow, not your mark sheets. So dream, visualise, plan, believe and act

Finally

One must guard against losing temper, say ‘no’ without offending, criticize without sounding harsh or unkind, deliver a tough message in a respectful manner and avoid painful conversation.

The roots below the earth claim no reward for making the branches fruitful. No matter what height one reaches, one has to be deeply rooted and grounded. Best wishes and blessings to all the past, present and future students of the college.

- Dr. L. M. Dani
Ex - Principal