23 years ago Serendipity led me to the Nobel profession of teaching. Soon after I did my post-graduation in English, I got a call to substitute a professor for a few months. The immense love and respect led me to take up teaching as a career. Today, I teach at Govt. Polytechnic Curchorem. To students pursuing their education in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic engineering and computer Engineering.

Looking back knowledge and enthusiasm were the only tools that I had in my Armor. As the years go by, I realise what a challenge the teaching profession is and how wonderful its fruits. The youth if they are harnessed properly are knowledgeable, hardworking, goal oriented, creative and techno savvy. They are poster boys for any, ‘Start-Up’.

Unfortunately the opposite is also true. More often the youth is swayed by the negative trends in modern society. Few want to hold teachers up as their inspiration and guide. Teaching the youth today is a challenge as it is often difficult to understand the values and morals that students imbibe in this cyber world with some falling prey to the ill effects of bad habits.

Especially in technical institutes, it is paramount that the budding engineer is employable or has potential to be entrepreneur. The syllabus is abreast with the rapid technological advances, relevant projects are done and that the training imparted is wholesome. The young pass out should be well equipped to face the challenges thrown at him by corporate world.

Today more than ever, in the technical field the teacher’s role has changed from an educator to one who facilitates learning, is a mentor, a catalyst and a spring board for the young minds to take flight.

Sharon Fernandes

Sr. Lecturer in English
Government Polytechnic Curchorem