From Struggles to Smiles: How My Students Turned My Challenges into Joy

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Have you ever faced a morning where it feels like everything goes wrong? Let me share a story from one such morning in my life. Although my school is in a rural area where traffic jams aren't a problem, I still faced my share of challenges. Imagine waking up to a power cut that leaves you scrambling in the dark, trying to make breakfast with a limited supply of resources, and dealing with the general stress of starting the day on a tight schedule. These everyday issues can make anyone feel overwhelmed.

One particular day, after battling through these problems, I arrived at school feeling quite defeated. My mood was low due to the series of small frustrations that had built up over the morning. But as soon as I walked into the school, I was met with a sight that changed everything. My students, full of energy and excitement, were eagerly waiting for the morning assembly. Their bright smiles and joyful greetings were a refreshing contrast to the rough start I had experienced.

What touched me deeply was seeing students who come from very poor backgrounds, some of whom don’t even have proper shoes. Despite their own struggles, their happiness and eagerness to learn were truly inspiring.

When I entered the classroom and was greeted with enthusiastic "sallam" and the excitement of my students, my mood completely transformed. Their warmth and positivity helped me forget the morning’s challenges and reminded me of why I love teaching.

This experience was a powerful reminder of how positive interactions with students can turn a rough start into a rewarding day. Even when faced with daily struggles, the joy of making a difference in my students’ lives brings a sense of fulfillment and happiness that outweighs any difficulties.

How do you think positive energy from students can change a teacher's day?

@FarhanMehboob Have you ever had one of those mornings where everything seems to go wrong? I faced such a day recently, dealing with power cuts, a disorganized start, and the usual morning stress. By the time I arrived at school, I felt defeated. However, as soon as I saw my students, their bright smiles and enthusiastic greetings transformed my mood. Despite their own challenges, their joy and eagerness to learn were truly inspiring.This experience reminded me that even on difficult days, the positive energy from students can turn everything around. When my mood is affected by unexpected home situations and I arrive at school late and hungry, my students' warm welcome and enthusiasm boost my spirits and focus. Their positivity helps me overcome my rough start and makes me feel fulfilled and energized.

@FarhanMehboob ohh wow! What a interesting transformation day by your students

@FarhanMehboob why not sir ..students energy & their enthusiasm brings positive impact to our school environment but also they can change our mood with their innocent greetings n smile.
I share my own experience that i wasn't interested in teaching but as time passed i started taking interest in teaching because of myn students ,their love n respect change my mood .
Our Students make feel us so proud n special to be their teacher

@FarhanMehboob Thanks for sharing. This makes me think more of engaging students with more SEL Social Emotional Learning activities. Really I get much benefits from it.

@FarhanMehboob wow sir that sounds really encouraging. Students give us energy no doubt but I personally feel that despite of any pressure or problems that we face we should always show our full of energy to students to make their day wonderful sir .

@Mariam
Exactly Mariam,
Those innocent eyes keep waiting for us, and if we save our energy for other tasks, it can greatly impact the responsibility we have as teachers toward their future. The effect on students' future can be significant. We should always teach our students with a smile and happiness in energetic way, as this approach can make their future even more colorful.

@Adel-8d693e36c4 Thanks.
Once, I asked my student Asif Dangnoo, who is in class 3, to share a story with the class about a time when he felt either very happy or very sad. Asif shared his story, and the other students listened carefully and tried to understand his feelings. Through this activity, the students not only learned to understand Asif's emotions but also practiced expressing their own feelings. This helped them develop skills like empathy, communication, and building good relationships with others.

@Aqsa-Khatri Thanks Aqa Khatri,
Your words are really nice to see about your experience and believing in yourself that you can change the minds after getting deeper into the teaching passion.

@Aqsa-Khatri Thank you very much, do you have any experience in this regard. Please feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions in this forum

@Tabassumlaghari Yes. when I was Bachelor you can say unmarried I suffered from such days. As you know, in rural area there are no fast foods or Hotels or something like that. So, having cup of tea with toast starts mine some days

@FarhanMehboob Yes. It's is so in rural areas

@FarhanMehboob @Tabassumlaghari @Mariam @Aqsa-Khatri @Adel-8d693e36c4
Have you not read the poem "Children" by Henry Longfellow ? Who says children are source of joy who dispell all worries of others.
Here is the full text of the poem "Children" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

Come to me, O ye children!
    For I hear you at your play,
And the questions that perplexed me
    Have vanished quite away.

Ye open the eastern windows,
    That look towards the sun,
Where thoughts are singing swallows
    And the brooks of morning run.

In your hearts are the birds and the sunshine,
    In your thoughts the brooklet’s flow,
But in mine is the wind of Autumn
    And the first fall of the snow.

Ah! what would the world be to us
    If the children were no more?
We should dread the desert behind us
    Worse than the dark before.

What the leaves are to the forest,
    With light and air for food,
Ere their sweet and tender juices
    Have been hardened into wood,—

That to the world are children;
    Through them it feels the glow
Of a brighter and sunnier climate
    Than reaches the trunks below.

Come to me, O ye children!
    And whisper in my ear
What the birds and the winds are singing
    In your sunny atmosphere.

For what are all our contrivings,
    And the wisdom of our books,
When compared with your caresses,
    And the gladness of your looks?

Ye are better than all the ballads
    That ever were sung or said;
For ye are living poems,
    And all the rest are dead.

So when you are gloomy go to children. They will make you happy.

@Yousuf-Memon Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem "Children" is a heartfelt piece that looks at how innocent and pure children are. It shows how important they are and the important things adults can learn from them.

@FarhanMehboob Thanks for being so thoughtful.You're right teachers can have positive impacts on their learners but it depends on the teachers' mood and the surrounding atmosphere.

@Yousuf-Memon Thank you sir for sharing this poem: 'Children' Yes! We have read this poem in the early classes. It expresses connection with children.

@Yousuf-Memon ..competely agree with you

@FarhanMehboob..exactly sir our children are best motivation for us ,they freshen our lives like a garden 🥰

@FarhanMehboob TYSM sir ! These words meant to me alot ...Your motivational words give me more strength to make my teaching better & brighten ️

@FarhanMehboob

Hi @FarhanMehboob
Hope everything is going well.

Your story is such a powerful reminder of the impact that students can have on a teacher's day. It's incredible how their positivity and enthusiasm can instantly lift your spirits, even after a rough morning. I think that when students bring that kind of energy into the classroom, it creates a ripple effect transforming not just our mood, but also the entire learning environment.

Positive energy from students can serve as a reminder of the bigger picture, helping us reconnect with the passion for teaching, even when the day starts off on the wrong foot. It’s almost like a boost of motivation that keeps us going and reminds us why we chose this profession in the first place.

Best,
Mr. Bryan