A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose!

Things are as they are, not as they should be!

Teachers: Aaj Kal

This post has been published by me on the occasion of the Teachers’ Day as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 2; the second edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.


Being a great teacher is very challenging and rewarding work.

Teacher New

They have in their hands the power to influence and mould a student’s mind. They have within them the capacity to instill in the child a love for learning, to keep an open mind and to keep questioning. They have the ability to promote confidence, stir thinking and awaken dreams…

And then, we know, thereโ€™s another side too!

Teachers! We all have an opinion about them – good or bad – and we all owe a great deal to that special teacher that believed in us.

Times have changed (yes, completely), we have changed (may be) and so have the teachers and their thoughts and beliefs (somewhat)!

So, sharing with you some of the aspects of the Teachersโ€ฆThen and Now, through the medium of Quotes by some great men and some unknown too.

Of course, some of these quotes can be used interchangeably!!

Teachers Then
Teachers Now
Ah! There you have the worst paid and the best rewarded of vocations. Do not enter it unless you love it. For the vast majority of men and women it has no promise of wealth and fame, but they to whom it is dear for its own sake are among the nobility of mankind. Henry Von Dyke It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference. Tom Brokaw
What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches. Karl Menninger Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition. Jacques Barzun
The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book. Author Unknown gurukulam_1 We expect teachers to handle teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and the failings of the family. Then we expect them to educate our children. John Sculley
To learn and never be filled, is wisdom; to teach and never be weary, is love. Anonymous Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important. Bill Gates
More important than the curriculum is the question of the methods of teaching and the spirit in which the teaching is given. Bertrand Russell The authority of those who teach is often an obstacle to those who want to learn. Cicero
The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth. Dan Rather We think too much about effective methods of teaching and not enough about effective methods of learning. John Carolus S. J.
A gifted teacher is as rare as a gifted doctor, and makes far less money. Anonymous Teachers Make CB Modern cynics and skeptics… see no harm in paying those to whom they entrust the minds of their children a smaller wage than is paid to those to whom they entrust the care of their plumbing. John F. Kennedy
Every truth has four corners: as a teacher I give you one corner, and it is for you to find the other three. Confucius Teaching should be such that what is offered is perceived as a valuable gift and not as a hard duty. Albert Einstein
Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations. George Bernard Shaw I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized. Dr. Haim Ginott
The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind. Kahlil Gibran If kids come to us [educators / teachers] from strong, healthy functioning families, it makes our job easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job more important. Barbara Colorose
A hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank…but the world may be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child. Forest Witchcraft A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron. Horace Mann
We think of the effective teachers we have had over the years with a sense of recognition, but those who have touched our humanity we remember with a deep sense of gratitude.
Author Unknown
Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants. John Gardner
Teachers, who educate children, deserve more honour than parents, who merely gave them birth; for the latter provided mere life, while the former ensure a good life. Aristotle. We should not teach children the sciences but give them a taste for them. Jean Jacques Rousseauteacher-13239
It’s blood, sweat, sometimes tears. Bob Hayes Most people are willing to pay more to be amused than to be educated. R.C. Savage
The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book. Author Unknown For many students, their teachers may be the only adult with whom they have a meaningful conversation all day. Vickie Gill
Teaching is not just a job. It is a human service, and it must be thought of as a mission. Dr. Ralph Tyler It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to make sure you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy. George Horace Lorimer
An understanding heart is everything in a teacher, and cannot be esteemed highly enough. One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feeling. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child. Carl Jung I have been maturing as a teacher. New experiences bring new sensitivities and flexibility. Howard Lester
teacher-degree
Your Master Teacher knows all you need to learn, the perfect timing for your learning it, and the ideal way of teaching it to you. You don’t create a Master Teacher — that’s already been done. You discover your Master Teacher. Peter Mcwilliams It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it. Jacob Bronowskiteacher31


The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton are Vipul, Rajalakshmi, Dhiman, Ranee[1], [2], [3] , Avada, Indian Pundit, Sojo, Aneet, Pramathesh, Aativas, Sid, Pra, Ajinkya, Lakshmi, Govind, Bharathi, Shankar, Mytuppence, Azad, Pawan, Pankaja, Saimanohar, Guria, Shruti, Vishnu and Nasrajan. Click on their respective names to read their posts on Teachers : Aaj Kal. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

65 Responses

  1. a well searched article indeed…
    best of luck for the blog a ton!!
    and yes my pick of the statements:

    The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.
    Kahlil Gibran

    there is much truth in it……

  2. Hey Shilpa

    Good one……Impressive.

    A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron. Horace Mann

    The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth. Dan Rather

    Great one.Completely true…..fully agree.

    Check out MY POST ON THIS TOPIC…..CHEERS.

  3. That is very different and innovative idea to compare teachers aaj and kal!I liked the opinian of Dr. Haim Ginott that he have a supreme power as a teacher and that frightened him and A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron. Horace Mann.
    I started reading blog -a ton with your post!

  4. As Pra said, a very innovative and also a thoughtful compilation. I guess you must have worked hard for it!
    There are many chances that can make you the winner this time too!

    Happy teacher’s day!
    Cheers!

  5. Wow! you really researched very well.
    I specially liked the way it was presented..(that is why i like your posts…they are different!)
    All the best!

    Shilpa Sharma

  6. @ R S V: Thanks a lot!!
    And that’s a cool pick!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    @ Saimanohar: Thanks!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    @ Sojo Varughese: Yeah, that’s right! And yes, we all have had a good share of all types too!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    @ Bharathi: Thanks Bharathi!:)
    Even your post is full of insights!!
    And all the best to you too! ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. lol.. it reminds me of my differentiate between during school and college days..like a 16 mark answer…

    the differentiation along with neatly placed picture and points is the key to your post.. very well done..

    the quotes from karl menninger and jacques barzun were great…..nice contrast…

    how many quotes on contrast…. i think you might have done a great home work to keep up ur reputation as a blog a ton 1 winner.. this is more impressive than your blog a ton 1 post…. I think i have to congradulate yu in advance for blog-a-ton 2…

  8. One day I am going to strip your machine to the last byte in it…to find out where you get such cool, relevant quotes for the topic…lovely and different article.

    You actually pointed out the teaching perspective from a perfect angle.

  9. @ IndianPundit: Thanks a lot!! Am glad you liked it!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Your post has wonderful comparisons too! ๐Ÿ™‚

    @ Pra: Thanks a ton girlie for your support!!
    So what’s the score now??
    I liked your take on the topic too! ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. @ pawan: Thanks Pawan for kind words and wishes!!
    No, this was a last minute inspiration!! ๐Ÿ˜€

    @ Shilpa: Thanks Shilpa! Am glad you liked it!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    @ Dhiman: You think so!?? ๐Ÿ˜›

  11. @ Mr. Pramathesh Borkotoky: Thanks for your feedback! ๐Ÿ™‚

    @ Shankar: Thank you Shankar! Your kind words are turning my ears red!! ๐Ÿ˜›

    @ Sid: Thank you Sid! Am glad you find it lovely and different! ๐Ÿ˜›

    You can check my machine and take whatever you want, but you’ll not find anything different from yours!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. shilps!!
    its awesome re!!
    how on earth you find these innovative methods! I was completely taken aback after seeing this! Awesome re!
    Contrasting quotes!!
    All set to win this event eh?!
    Migh!! As IP tell you are impressive shilpa!!

    Very good approach and you have done complete justice!

  13. hey that was an awesome post.. such an innovative way of presenting the differences.. loved each and every quote.. “A hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank…but the world may be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child.” -> I loved this quote the most..

  14. see u found d way 2 write a non-essayish post.. All of those quotes showed d diffrnt colours nd perceptions about this vocation real nicely.. nd i know lot of time must hav gone in2 building these comparisons. Kudos:)

  15. Too gud!!!!

    I would say a teachers then were philanthropists who gave all that they had to their pupils without expecting anything in return.

    Teachers today are probably a reservior of knowledge but they give away or share only in return of bucks!!!!

    It has changed from passion to profession!!!!

  16. Sorry for the grammatical error in above comment.

    Too gud!!!

    I would say teachers then were philanthropists who gave all that they had to their pupils without expecting anything in return.

    Teachers today are probably a reservior of knowledge but they give away or share only in return of bucks!!!!

    It has changed from passion to profession!!!!

  17. @ Gurria: Thanks!! ๐Ÿ˜›

    @ Lakshmi Rajan: Thanks a ton for your feedback! ๐Ÿ™‚
    Yeah, you are right, but that would ask for new systems and methods of teaching!!

  18. @ Vipul Grover: Oh, am glad that it took this shape and form at last!! Coz, I was certainly lost and didnt knew how to start even!
    But thank God for the last minute inspiration!
    Thanks!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    @ Sumeet Shah: Thanks Sumeet! ๐Ÿ™‚
    You are bang on target…yes its more of a profession now with less of passion!!

  19. Amazing take on the differences.
    I see the teachers in my daughter’s school and cant help compare.
    My teachers were old and ‘behenji’ types. Now they look glamourous. They are also very young. Or wait a minute, is it me who got old?

  20. Such a coincidence…just while I was entering my comment on this post, I got an email pop up saying you have commented on mine! Too much ๐Ÿ™‚

    I love your post here…you have compiled so many great thoughts from so many people so well! Love the Teacher image you have used as well :))

    Maybe one day, I will participate in a Blog-a-ton. Currently, I think I have starting anxiety ๐Ÿ™

    Btw, would you like to exchange links with my blog?

  21. The most innovative post on Teachers I have ever seen ๐Ÿ™‚

    I kept nodding my head in agreement to all the comparisons, quotes & notes.

    Ah teachers!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  22. @ nishitak: Cool! So its proven, great minds think alike!! ๐Ÿ˜€

    Thanks Nishita!
    You must participate in Blog-a-Ton from next time!!
    Anxiety?? Why?? You get a whole week to write, which I know for sure, you don’t need!!
    Am keen to see you in Blog-a-Ton 3!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    @ PEOPLE, PLACES, VOICES, FACES…: Oh, Thank you Ranee! Your faith in me is admirable!! I don’t think I am on that level!! ๐Ÿ˜›

    Am happy you liked it!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  23. @Shilpa
    The quotes are awesome!
    loved this one –
    //A hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank…but the world may be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child. -Forest Witchcraft//
    I am now following blog-a-ton – so next time – i will be participating ๐Ÿ™‚

  24. Amazing one Shilps. I mean..how you manage it..well researched..well thought..well presented..really commendable!!

    Wish you luck and if I have to choose the winner..you know who it is. ๐Ÿ™‚

  25. @ D_Observer: Thank you!! ๐Ÿ™‚
    Yeah, that’s a good one and is of paramount importance!!

    That’s Great!! More the merrier!! And congratulations for joining the Club!! ๐Ÿ™‚
    See you around! ๐Ÿ™‚

    @ NITYIN: Thanks Nityin! And Welcome on “A rose is a rose is a rose!”

  26. Heyy Dear

    I liked your style of blogging and presentation, all in all i can say more or less all about your.

    This blog is also a nice one.

    Keep it up.

    Keep Smiling!!!

    Makk

  27. Awesome post. I am new to blogging and have been resding 8-10 blogs every day, but urs is one of the most interesting one. Specially this post on/for teachers. .

  28. @ 25BAR : But those 3 must have made a profound impact on you!?! ๐Ÿ™‚

    @ Nandan Narula : Thanks Nandan. Welcome to the blogosphere and this space. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Am glad you liked it.
    Cheers ๐Ÿ™‚

  29. The authority of those who teach is often an obstacle to those who want to learn. Cicero

    That is very true. It’s hard to let our own views out fearing we might prove the Teacher wrong and end up with bad grades.

  30. What a beautiful post!

    I am planning to start teaching from the end of this year. Your post is a great motivation indeed.

    Thanks.

  31. Thanks for all those pearls of wisdom – beautiful quotes, beautifully presented. Here’s my wishlist for Indian teachers (and schools) – Hopefully our schools will work towards reasonable (not exhorbitant) fees; NO cash donations; teachers who don’t over-burden our kids with homework; who give them many and varied skills apart from an academic education and who know how to make a subject fun. Is that a tall order? Not if our teachers have recognised qualifications and are paid well.

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