Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the success and future of their students, second only to parents. Every teacher harbors the sincere wish for their students to excel in their studies and achieve greatness. Acting as a guiding ladder, teachers provide the necessary support and encouragement for students to ascend to greater heights. The impact of a teacher in a student’s life is irreplaceable, as they impart knowledge, instill values, and nurture the talents and potential of each individual.
There’s a Tamil proverb that goes, “Matha, Pitha, Guru, Theivam,” emphasizing the significance of teachers as the next most important figures in a person life after their parents, even before considering deities. This age-old adage remains relevant even in today’s context. The pivotal role of teachers in shaping a bright future for students cannot be overstated. Many teachers exhibit unwavering dedication and make sacrifices to uplift their students.
As we celebrate Teacher’s Day today, a time to reflect on and express gratitude to our educators for their tireless efforts, Varnam seizes the opportunity to shed light on the journey of a well-known teacher, Mr. Chelva. His commitment to teaching and recent achievement of publishing two books exemplify the profound impact and dedication of educators in nurturing the minds and talents of future generations.
Chelva Letchmanan, originally from Teluk Intan, serves as a teacher at SJKT Bandar Mahkota Cheras while concurrently pursuing his PhD. Initially, Chelva harbored aspirations of becoming a Chemical Engineer, but circumstances didn’t align to fulfill that dream. It was his father who became the catalyst for Chelva’s educational journey towards becoming a teacher. Encouraged by his father’s suggestion, Chelva applied for a teaching course and was granted the opportunity to pursue studies in education. Reflecting on his career path, Chelva acknowledges that becoming a teacher was indeed the best decision he ever made. With eight years of experience under his belt, Chelva continues to excel in his role as an educator.
Chelva’s approach to teaching sets him apart with its unique blend of hands-on experiments and digital learning tools, creating an engaging and interactive classroom environment. Unlike traditional methods, he infuses his lessons with practical applications and utilizes technology to enhance student understanding. By incorporating hands-on experiments, Chelva fosters a deeper comprehension of abstract concepts, allowing students to actively participate and explore real-world applications of theoretical knowledge. Moreover, his integration of digital learning platforms introduces innovative teaching techniques that cater to diverse learning styles, making the learning process more accessible and enjoyable for students.
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When queried about the significance of a teacher’s role in a student’s life, Chelva emphasized that a teacher plays a pivotal role in shaping a student’s character from a young age. Teachers not only impart essential knowledge but also mold students into better individuals with a vision and the ability to contribute meaningfully to society. They serve as guiding tools, accompanying students throughout their educational journey from the foundational stages onward.
Teachers serve as more than just purveyors of academic content; they are mentors, nurturers, and inspirations. Their influence extends beyond the classroom, shaping students’ values, beliefs, and aspirations. By instilling discipline, fostering creativity, and cultivating critical thinking skills, teachers empower students to navigate the complexities of life with confidence and resilience.
When questioned about what brings him fulfillment as a teacher—whether it’s imparting knowledge, witnessing academic achievements, or seeing students succeed in the future—Chelva’s response diverged from expectations. He emphasized that, for him, the utmost importance lies in instilling discipline in his students. Chelva prioritizes shaping the behavior and discipline of his students, without compromise. His vision revolves around nurturing a future generation that is well-mannered and disciplined.
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Chelva firmly believes that instilling discipline in students is paramount, as it sets them on the path to success and imbues them with a sense of seriousness towards their studies. He contends that when students possess discipline, they naturally gravitate towards making wise choices and exhibiting diligence in their academic pursuits. For Chelva, the foundation of discipline forms the cornerstone upon which students can build a bright and promising future.
This highlights the depth of a teacher’s dedication to their students’ overall development. Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping their students’ character and values, extending their influence far beyond academic achievement. They are instrumental in molding students not only into intelligent individuals but also into compassionate and responsible members of society. Chelva’s unwavering commitment to shaping his students into future leaders is truly commendable.
Teachers invest not only in imparting knowledge but also in nurturing essential life skills and instilling core values such as discipline, integrity, and empathy. By focusing on character development alongside academic growth, teachers like Chelva equip their students with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges successfully. Their dedication to fostering well-rounded individuals reflects a profound understanding of the critical role educators play in shaping the future generation. Chelva’s dedication serves as a shining example of the transformative power of a teacher’s influence on their students’ lives.
Chelva maintains a unique relationship with his students, embodying the persona of a strict yet caring teacher. While he often projects a stern demeanor in the classroom, his underlying concern for his students’ well-being is unmistakable. Unlike many educators, Chelva refrains from assigning excessive homework to his students. His decision stems from a deep understanding of the challenges students may face outside the classroom environment.
@chelva16
Recognizing that each student’s circumstances vary, Chelva prioritizes alleviating any additional burdens on his students. Rather than burdening them with homework, he focuses on ensuring their comprehension of lesson materials during class time. Chelva diligently provides ample practice opportunities and engages students in discussions to reinforce their understanding of the subject matter. Additionally, he meticulously monitors the completeness of their notebooks, emphasizing the importance of organized study materials. Through these thoughtful actions, Chelva demonstrates his commitment to fostering a supportive and conducive learning environment for his students.
This is precisely why I mentioned that while he may come across as a strict teacher, his concern for his students goes far beyond that appearances, often in ways that students may not immediately recognize. Additionally, he takes the time to engage with students who may be facing challenges, offering a supportive ear and working together to find solutions to their problems. Whether it’s academic difficulties, personal struggles, or any other challenges, he makes himself readily available to listen and offer assistance. By fostering an environment of trust and open communication, Chelva ensures that his students feel supported and valued, empowering them to overcome obstacles and thrive both academically and personally.
When asked him on what he would do to change a student who has bad behaviours, disrespect others and doesn’t focus on studies, he stated that,
“I always have a chat with the students, try to see things from their perspective, and then give them advice accordingly. I also tell them that if they’re not doing well in studies, there are other valuable skills they can focus on. These skills can pave the way for entrepreneurship opportunities down the line. That’s why when I assign projects, I make sure we do them in class. I want everyone to bring their materials, and we work on the projects together right then and there. If they take the projects home, often their parents end up doing the work for them. That doesn’t help them learn the skills or become independent. So, doing it in class ensures they get hands-on experience and learn to be self-sufficient.”
Chelva’s approach reflects his deep concern for his students’ well-being. He employs various strategies to guide them, all with the overarching goal of ensuring their success in life. As a teacher, his dedication lies in nurturing each student’s potential and empowering them to thrive. This commitment underscores the fundamental role teachers play in shaping the future of their students, striving tirelessly to see them excel in every aspect of their lives.
Teacher Chelva recently took a step beyond traditional teaching by self-publishing two books—a Tamil book and a Maths book. His initiative aims to contribute positively to the community by providing valuable resources for learning. Titled “Natramizh Arivan,” the Tamil book features dual-language content in English and Tamil. It serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals looking to master the Tamil language, catering to both beginners and those seeking detailed insights.
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Recognizing the challenges faced by parents from non-Tamil school backgrounds in supporting their children’s Tamil education, Chelva designed the book to bridge this gap. With colorful visuals and engaging exercises, the book offers a user-friendly approach to learning Tamil. It includes writing exercises, interesting facts, and even Thirukkurals, making it an enriching experience for learners. Chelva’s vision is to make Tamil accessible to a wider audience, enabling anyone, regardless of their proficiency level, to grasp the language effectively. He believes that consistent use of the book over a three-month period can equip individuals with the skills to read and write Tamil proficiently.
This initiative not only facilitates easier learning of Tamil but also holds promise for the future of Tamil education. With resources like Chelva’s book, parents can confidently send their children to Tamil schools, knowing that they have the necessary support to excel in the language. By making Tamil learning more accessible and engaging, it fosters a genuine interest among students, thereby ensuring the growth of Tamil language education. As a result, Tamil schools are likely to see an increase in enrollment, as more students become motivated to learn the language. This, in turn, contributes to the preservation and propagation of the Tamil language, ensuring its continuity for future generations. Ultimately, initiatives like these play a vital role in nurturing linguistic diversity and cultural heritage, empowering communities to embrace and celebrate their language and heritage.
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My sole aspiration is to preserve my language. I believe that I have made a modest contribution towards enriching it.
– Chelva
Meanwhile, the Mathematics book titled “Kanitha Arivan” aims to assist students in mastering their mathematical skills. The book progresses from easy to advanced levels, covering fundamental operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Towards the end, it presents mixed operations questions, serving as a comprehensive test for students who have mastered each mathematical concept individually.
Both books are a result of Chelva’s dedication and hard work. He meticulously drafted the content, curated activities, designed visuals, and handled every aspect of the production process. While his friend Vijay from India contributed to the design of the front and back covers, Chelva took charge of everything else, from conceptualizing the idea to finalizing the content, registering the books, and obtaining the necessary licenses from the national library. The printing of the books was outsourced to a shop, but the entire endeavor was driven by Chelva’s efforts. The inspiration to publish a book came from his sister, who had prior experience in publishing. She guided him through the process, explaining the intricacies of authoring and publishing a book.
However, the journey was far from easy. Chelva had to painstakingly design and create the content for each page of the books. He devoted considerable time and effort to developing appropriate activities to include in the books, ensuring that they would be beneficial for learners of Tamil and Mathematics. Every page was meticulously reviewed and proofread by Chelva to maintain the quality of the content.
Financial constraints added another layer of challenge to the process. Chelva undertook all the costs associated with publishing the books, facing financial hurdles along the way. Despite these obstacles, he remained determined to bring his vision to fruition. In his quest for quality, Chelva visited numerous printing shops, carefully evaluating each one to find the best combination of quality and affordability. Only after thorough consideration did he finalize the printing shop for the books.
Chelva’s unwavering dedication to serving the community reflects his profound commitment to making a positive impact. His efforts underscore his deep affection for the Tamil language and his desire to preserve and promote it. Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, Chelva exhibited remarkable resilience and determination, ultimately succeeding in making his books accessible to a wider audience.
The book has garnered a plethora of positive feedback. Numerous individuals have reached out to express how beneficial the book has been for them, with some even sharing their newfound ability to read and write in Tamil after utilizing its contents. While there were a few minor errors noted in the book, the overall response has been overwhelmingly positive. Many readers particularly appreciated the visually appealing layout of the book, which sparked their interest and engagement. Additionally, parents have reported noticeable improvements in their children’s mathematical abilities after using the mathematics book.
At this point, Chelva aspires to transition into a role as a lecturer, with the intention of nurturing and inspiring future educators. His goal is to continually improve himself while also working towards the advancement of the community. This underscores the inherent commitment of teachers towards the betterment of society. Chelva’s unwavering dedication and determination are truly commendable, and his students are fortunate to have such a remarkable teacher guiding them. As we commemorate Teacher’s Day today, it is our hope that more educators like Chelva emerge, as they hold the power to positively shape the future generation.
A teacher is a candle that burns itself to enlighten the minds of students and illuminate society.
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