The pandemic was like a pop quiz no one studied for, but one that carried maximum weightage in our syllabus. Yet, teachers managed to pass—and even ace—the process while juggling Wi-Fi blackouts and mute-button mysteries.
On this Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the digital warriors who learned, logged in, and leveled up. The pandemic flipped our world upside down. But teachers adapted, proving that grace, grit, and a hint of sunniness can shine through even the most difficult times.
We spoke to two educators—Ms. Sangeeta, English faculty at Eicher School Faridabad, and Ms. Shipra, coordinator for grades III–V at Faridabad Model School—who proved that while no one can control their Wi-Fi, teachers can always control how they show up and adapt.
With 18 years of experience and an unwaveringly kind heart, Ms. Sangeeta makes Shakespeare feel like a comforting chai-time conversation. Reflecting on the early days of COVID-19, she shared:
“Never had we thought that two years down the line, we would be confined to our homes. Education, to us, always meant a proper classroom setup—our children in front of us, one-to-one interaction, and the usual methods of teaching. That’s how we had been taught, and that’s how we had always taught. But when COVID struck, suddenly, there was a big question mark.”
The switch to online teaching was uncharted territory. She recalled her very first online class with a laugh:
“You know, we had butterflies in the stomach. We were used to a normal classroom setup with kids, a blackboard or a whiteboard. Then suddenly, we switched everything. The textbook was on the screen, we were fiddling with buttons, and we didn’t know what to press and when. Gradually, we got hands-on with it.”
With 18 years of experience and an unwaveringly kind heart, Ms. Sangeeta makes Shakespeare feel like a comforting chai-time conversation. Reflecting on the early days of COVID-19, she shared:
“Never had we thought that two years down the line, we would be confined to our homes. Education, to us, always meant a proper classroom setup—our children in front of us, one-to-one interaction, and the usual methods of teaching. That’s how we had been taught, and that’s how we had always taught. But when COVID struck, suddenly, there was a big question mark.”
The switch to online teaching was uncharted territory. She recalled her very first online class with a laugh:
“You know, we had butterflies in the stomach. We were used to a normal classroom setup with kids, a blackboard or a whiteboard. Then suddenly, we switched everything. The textbook was on the screen, we were fiddling with buttons, and we didn’t know what to press and when. Gradually, we got hands-on with it.”
In one beautiful line, she summed up the spirit of every great teacher:
“I think we are good learners. That’s why we are good teachers also.”
But the pandemic wasn’t just about teaching; it gave her something personal back—her love for painting.
“I used to paint before I joined school 18 years ago, but it completely took a backseat. During COVID, I got time to pick it up again. Now, I even co-run an art page (@_art.amigos_) and share my watercolor works daily. It feels nice to do something you enjoy, not something you have to do.”
Her advice carries both wisdom and wit:
“All you have to do is keep your eyes, ears, and heart open. Unlearn things you did before. Learn, unlearn, then relearn.”
For Ms. Shipra, COVID turned everyone into learners again—teachers included.
“Nobody was aware of platforms like Zoom and Google Meet. Suddenly, within days, we had to move from school corridors to online classrooms. It was a whole new world.”
Faridabad Model School took a unique approach, creating content for YouTube when physical resources weren’t accessible.
“We’re not actors, but we had to make videos so we could reach kids. Parents really appreciated that effort.”
But teaching from home wasn’t always smooth.
“In one room, my son used to take classes. In the other, I had to take classes. My in-laws were also there. Everyone had to adjust.”
And when four members of her family tested positive for COVID, the resilience only grew stronger. The household became a shared space of care, cooking, and cleaning.
Despite the chaos, something magical happened: parents became partners in education.
“Before, we interacted with parents only in PTMs. But during COVID, we interacted every day—with both students and parents. Parents even joined yoga or Zumba sessions with kids. During cooking activities, they’d join with their own glass of mojito. It was beautiful.”
Even when the world felt like it was falling apart, teachers like Ms. Sangeeta and Ms. Shipra weren’t just logging in—they were showing up. They became learners again, reminding us that true education isn’t confined to four walls.
It thrives in every moment of compassion, creativity, and patience.
Being a teacher means balancing empathy in one hand and lesson plans in the other—never failing to show up with grace, resilience, and just enough Wi-Fi to pull it off.
So this Teachers’ Day, let’s thank the ones who taught us that even in the darkest of times, learning never stops.
