The Teachers and Trainers Forum of India

“Today, a 7-year-old told me I was useless.”
That’s how my last day as a public school teacher began.

No smirk. No attitude. Just a plain, indifferent voice—like he was commenting on the weather.
“You don’t know how to do TikTok. My mom says old people like you should retire.”

I smiled. I’ve learned not to take it personally.
But still... I felt something crack a little deeper inside.

My name is Mrs. Carter.
I’ve been teaching first grade in a small town outside Columbus, Ohio, for 36 years.
Today, I packed up my classroom for the last time.

When I started in the late ‘80s, teaching felt like a calling. A sacred bond.
We were trusted. Even admired.
We weren’t paid much, but there was respect—and that made up for a lot.

Parents brought brownies on conference nights.
Kids drew me birthday cards with misspelled words and crooked hearts.
And when little ones finally read their first sentence out loud?
There was a kind of joy no paycheck could ever match.

But something’s changed.
Slowly. Quietly. Year by year.
Until one day, I looked around my classroom and didn’t recognize the job anymore.

It’s not just the iPads and smartboards—though they’ve taken over, too.
It’s the exhaustion.
The disrespect.
The loneliness.

I used to spend evenings cutting out paper apples for bulletin boards.
Now I spend them documenting every incident on a student behavior app, just in case a parent threatens to sue.

I've been screamed at in front of my class.
Not by students—by parents.
One told me, “You clearly don't know how to handle children. I watched a video of you on my son's phone.”
He was filming me while I tried to calm another child having a meltdown.

No one asked how I was doing.
No one cared that I was holding it together with gum, caffeine, and sheer will.

Kids are different now, too.
And it’s not their fault.

They’re growing up in a world that's too fast, too loud, too disconnected.
They come to school sleep-deprived, overstimulated, addicted to screens.
Some are angry. Some are scared.
Some don't know how to hold a pencil, how to wait their turn, or how to say “please.”

And we’re expected to fix it all.

In 6 hours. With no aides. With 28 students. And a budget that wouldn't buy snacks for a birthday party.

I remember when my classroom was a little haven.
We had a reading nook with bean bags.
We sang songs every morning.
We learned to be kind before we learned to multiply.

Now?
Now, I’m told to focus on “learning targets,” “data points,” and “measurable outcomes.”
My value is based on how well a 6-year-old fills in bubbles on a test in March.

I once had a principal pull me aside and say, “You’re too warm and fuzzy. This district wants results.”
As if human connection was a liability.

I kept going, though.
Because there were always moments. Small, sacred ones.

A child who whispered, “You’re like my grandma. I wish I could live with you.”
Another who left a note on my desk: “I feel safe here.”
Or the quiet boy who finally looked me in the eye and said, “I read it all by myself.”

I held onto those moments like life rafts.
Because they reminded me I was still doing something that mattered—even when the world insisted I wasn’t.

But this past year broke something in me.

Violence increased.
One child threw a chair across the room. Another threatened to “bring something from home” after being told to sit down.

My classroom phone became a hotline for behavior crises.
The guidance counselor quit in October. The substitute list was empty by November.
The burnout was so thick you could feel it in the air—like a fog of quiet despair.

And me?
I started to feel invisible. Replaceable.
Like an outdated tool in a digital world that no longer sees the need for human touch.

So today, I packed up my classroom.
I peeled faded art projects off the wall—some going back decades.
I found a box of thank-you cards from a class in 1995.
One said, “Thank you for loving me even when I was bad.”

I cried when I read that.
Because back then, being a teacher meant something.
Now, it feels like a job you’re supposed to apologize for.

There was no party. No speech.
Just a firm handshake from the new principal, who called me “Ma’am” and looked at his phone halfway through our goodbye.

I left behind my sticker box. My rocking chair. My patience.

But I took the memory of every child who ever looked at me with wonder, trust, or relief.
That’s mine. They can’t take that away.

I don’t know what’s next.
Maybe I’ll volunteer at the library. Maybe I’ll learn to bake bread from scratch.
Maybe I’ll just sit on my back porch, sipping tea, remembering a world that used to feel softer.

Because I miss it.
I miss a time when teachers were seen as partners, not punching bags.
When parents and schools worked together.
When education meant growth, not just grades.

If you’ve ever been a teacher, you know.
We didn’t do it for the summers off.
We did it for the kid who finally learned to tie his shoe.
For the one who smiled after weeks of silence.
For the ones who needed us in ways no test could measure.

We did it for love. For hope. For belief in something better.

So if you see a teacher—past or present—thank them.
Not with a mug or an apple.
With your voice. Your eyes. Your respect.

Because in a world that moves too fast, they stayed.
In a system that crumbled, they stood.
And in a society that forgot them, they remembered every child.

📌
Let the teachers of the past know they’re not forgotten.
Let the teachers of today know they’re not alone.

Received this article 🙏

Our Real Heroes
Role Model for our children

From vision to reality!
🌉🇮🇳 Professor Gali Madhvi Latha's tireless efforts over 17 years have culminated in the completion of the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge, showcasing India's engineering excellence. 👷‍♀️✨ 🇮🇳🙏

June 3rd, Tuesday - Durga astami, Bada Mangalbar,Dhumavati Jayanti.

Today is a very auspicious day to convey our gratitude to Adi Shakti, Lord Hanuman and Ma Dhumavati by offering our puja.

*Gratitude & The Subtle Worlds*

“A great Sage once said, "The quality of *gratitude is... the finest purification of the organism*.... Great is the healing power of the emission of gratitude.
Gratitude is an energy coming from higher realms. When a person is grateful, he emanates a kind of energy that cleans his aura and heals his body. He radiates a violet-colored energy into his aura which organizes and harmonizes all the levels of the aura and *builds a bridge between him and the violet devas, who are the healing agents in this Universe.*
Our life is an exact response to our consciousness. If our consciousness is lofty and beautiful, we attract a corresponding life.
When we create a lofty state of consciousness, it becomes like a magnet which attracts conditions which will bring us joy, beauty, and success.
*Nothing happens to us by accident. Whenever we are in those conditions which are not joyful or happy, it means that we have acted against the law of gratitude.* Whenever we fall into a state of ingratitude, we inevitably fail in our life.”

-Torkom Saraydarian
Other Worlds

Self awareness

A group of ten monks had been meditating together for many years. One day, they decided to seek a better place for their advanced practices and set out on a journey to find a new habitat.

As they passed through a bustling city market, they encountered a myriad of enticing distractions: tasty dates, colorful silk robes, shining lamps, comfortable footwear, aromatic tea, and charming women visiting the shops.

Concerned about getting entangled in these distractions, the monks lowered their gaze to the ground and began chanting mantras, moving slowly in a line, one behind the other.

Once they emerged from the market, they breathed a sigh of relief. To ensure everyone was accounted for, they decided to count themselves. However, after counting, they realized there were only nine monks. Anxiously, each monk took turns counting, but each time, they could only count nine.

The tenth monk always seemed to be missing.

What had happened to the tenth monk?

This discovery of the missing tenth monk holds profound spiritual significance.

When we first realize the truth about the tenth monk, we experience a rush of strange energy and goosebumps.

In reality, the tenth monk was never missing. In their anxiety and fear of being lost in the distractions of the world, each monk failed to count himself. Thus, they always counted only nine monks instead of ten.

Our world is filled with glamour, loud noises, colorful robes, promises, opportunities, big aspirations, fame, abundance, and wealth. In our quest to make the most of our time on this earth, we often seek everything around us but forget to seek, learn, and practice self-awareness.

Self awareness check list - amount of negative emotions we possess :
1. Anger
2. Hatred
3 Jealousy
4. Greed
5. Revengefullness
6. Unhappiness
7. Frustration
Vibrations of negative emotions are quite low.

Self-awareness check list - amount of positive or higher emotions we possess :
1. Joy
2. Kindness
3. Happiness
4. Helpful
5. Empathy
6. Love
7. Truthfulness

Vibrations of positive emotions are quite high.
We can only manifest when we are vibrating with higher emotions.
We have to be constantly aware of our emotions and shift from lower vibrations to higher vibrations.
It's a daily task.

Aum Namah Shivaya.
Have a wonderful Sombar.

Buddha Purnima

Come to me as Buddha

Lord Buddha like a vein of shining ore in rocks of a gloomy gorge, Thy message of mercy illumines a cruel world. O Heart of Pity, one day, to save a lamb from sacrifice, Thou didst offer thine own body.

Loftiest Soarer in Renunciation's Skies! beneath Thy God - lifted eyes the inner Kingdom of ego faded away into invisibility. Thou didst forever forsake meadows of sense comforts, rivers of greed, prickly cacti of selfish worries,tall trees of temporal ambition, and gaunt deserts of desires.

Thine entire being was irrivocably set on attaining Transcendence - Nirvana. Under a banyan tree thou didst make an unbreakable tryst with Spirit:

Beneath the banyan bough
On sacred seat I take this vow:

" Until life's mystery I solve
Until I gain the Priceless Lore,
Though bones and fleeting flesh dissolve,
I' ll leave this posture nevermore."

Thy solemn thoughts still roam in the ether searching for ecstasy - tuned minds.

Thou Symbol of Sympathy, Incarnation of Compassion! give us Thy determination, that with urgency we,too,pursue Truth. Teach us to seek the Sovereign Remedy, as Thou didst, for the ills of mankind.

May Thy blessings, O Buddha, help all mortals to attain the Great Awakening!

- Sri Paramhansa Yogananda,
90, Whispers from Eternity.

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*Wish all Mothers a great Mothers day💃💐*

A mother is the heart of a family, the quiet strength that holds everything together with love beyond measure. She is the first voice we hear, the first embrace we feel, and the guiding light that never dims, no matter how far we stray.

Mothers are the architects of our childhood, shaping memories with every lullaby sung and every lesson taught. They sacrifice without hesitation, giving of themselves so their children may flourish. Their love is not loud, but it is undeniable—woven into every meal prepared, every sleepless night spent at our bedside, every prayer whispered in silence.

A mother’s wisdom is gentle yet profound, her resilience unmatched, and her embrace a sanctuary where the world feels safe. She rejoices in our triumphs, mourns our sorrows, and stands as an unshakable pillar even when life is unkind.

Though time may take them from our sight, the warmth of a mother never fades. It lingers in the traditions she cherished, in the values she instilled, and in the love she gave so freely. Today, as we honor mothers, we remember that their essence lives on in every heart they have touched.

To every mother, present or passed—you are love incarnate, the most sacred gift the world has known. You are cherished beyond words, remembered beyond time, and celebrated forever.💐💐💐

*Have a great Sunday* 🪷

Chaitra Navratri - Navami tithi
With Linga Bhairavi's blessings have completed 9 days of Shakti Sadhana.
Sending Ma Chandi's asirbad to all my wellwishers.
Aum Hrim Shreem Chamundayee vichee.

Suvo Ram Navami.
Ram Raameti Raameti, Rame Raame Manorame
Sahasranaam Tat-Tulyam, Raama-Naama Varanane

Wishing you a joyous and prosperous Hindu New Year on the auspicious occasions of Varsha Pratipada, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, and Chaitra Navaratri.
May this new year bring happiness, success, and endless blessings into your life.

The world's largest Democracy is celebrating its 76th Republic Day.
Proud to be a Bharatiya.
Proud of my Culture, Tradition, Belief and Dharma.
Nation First.
Jai Bharat.

Day 4 and 5 - Deepavali
Govardhan puja and Annakut - Lord Krishna's victory over Lord Indra is celebrated as Govardhan puja. Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan parvat with his little finger and all all the people of Vrindavan took shelter under the parvat during the deluge resulting in flood.
Annakut festival - The people of Vrindavan cooked and offered lot of food to Govardhan parvat, Lord Krishna and Lord Indra to show their gratitude and love.
Both these festivals will be celebrated on Nov 2nd in ISKON.
Yama dwitiya ( Bhai dhooj) and Chitragupta Puja - On Dwitiya tithi of Karthik month we offer our puja to Lord Yamraj or Dharmaraj. On this day Lord Yama visited her sister Yamuna who organised a grand feat for him and welcomed him with arati and Tika.
Merchants and businessmen offer prayers to Lord Chitragupta the God of records and accounts keeping.
This year we are celebrating it on Nov 3rd.

With this the beautiful 5 day festival of Deepavali ends.

Our sincere prayers and blessings goes out to all my clients and well wishers.

Happy Deepavali 2024.




**ra

Day 3 of Deepavali

On the third day of Diwali we offer our prayers to -

Dakhina Kali : She is the fiercest form of Ma Kali. We do her puja in Nish*t Kal( around midnight on Karthik amavasya) when negative energies are at their peak . She protects us from dark forces , death, diseases and sufferings. She shields us from Yamraj who resides in the South.

Asta Lakshmi and Kuber - We do puja of Ma Lakshmi with her 8 forms to bless us with prosperity. We do puja of Lord Kuber. We also do pujas of Lord Ganesh and Ma Saraswati. Knowledge and wisdom are necessary to earn money.

We are doing the pujas in our home and sending blessings to all my clients and well wishers.

Happy Deepavali





**ra

Diwali Day 2
Today is Naraka Chaturdasi - Lord Krishna along with his wife Satyabhama killed Narakasura on this day. Narakasura abducted 16,000 princes and got a boon from Lord Brahma that only his mother could kill him. Satyabhama was his mother in previous life. After killing Narakasura , peace descended once again. Lord Krishna married 16,000 princes to restore their honour and dignity.
We take Abhyanga bath with mustard oil and black Till today ( mahurat 6.06 am to 7.50 am).

Today we also celebrated Kali Chaudas or Bhoot Chaturdasi to protect our hones and lived ibes from evil forces.

We also celebrated Yam Chaturdasi by lighting 14 mustard oil lamps and praying to Lord Yam by reciting his 14 names -

1.*Om Yamāy Namah*

2.*Om Dharamrājāyē Namah*

3.*Om Mrityvē Namah*

4.*Om Antkāye Namah*

5.*Om Vaivasatāye Namah*

6.*Om Kālāye Namah*

7.*Om Sarvbhut Kshyāy Namah*

8.*Om Odūmbarāye Namah*

9.*Om Daddhnāye Namah*

10.*Om Neelāye Namah*

11.*Om Parmesthinē Namah*

12.*Om Vrkodrāye Namah*

13.*Om Chitraay Namah*

14.*Om Chitraguptāye Namah*

We are doing all the puja and rituals at our home and sending blessings to all my clients and well wishers.

**ra