Keep calm and seed the future
Bincy Mary George
The phrase ‘Keep Calm and Seed the Future’ inspires me as an educator because it helps me focus on the present while keeping the future in mind. Managing a classroom of 30 or more students is often chaotic. Our natural response to chaos is to react with more chaos. However, as an educator, my response in every situation, whether it’s a student’s triumph or setback, must remain calm and measured.
Educators are often likened to gardeners nurturing a garden. Unlike builders focused solely on completing tasks, gardeners have a lifelong commitment and influence. Children, like plants, require daily care, discipline, and guidance as they grow and develop. Education is not a finite project; it’s about enjoying the journey and opportunities for growth. In today’s fast-paced, standardized educational environment, true education transcends mere success metrics, particularly in the face of trends like “The McDonaldization of Society,” as described by George Ritzer (2014) in his book by the same name. This concept, originally applied to the fast-food industry, has permeated various aspects of modern life, including education.
In the context of education, McDonaldization refers to the standardization, efficiency, and predictability that have increasingly shaped learning environments. Schools and educational institutions often prioritize measurable outcomes and standardized testing, aiming for efficiency and uniformity rather than nurturing individual growth and creativity. This approach can sometimes overlook the diverse needs and potentials of students, reducing education to a transactional process focused on immediate results. A true educator instead instils values like hard work, critical thinking, a love for learning, and mutual respect – values essential for lifelong success.
Preparation is key, not just for achieving goals but for navigating life’s challenges as well. As Jeetu bhaiya from the Netflix series rightly said, good preparation itself is a form of success, and education prepares students for life’s challenges. It’s a continuous process where an educator’s role extends beyond the classroom.
As educators, we are sowing the seeds of the future with a clear vision for our students, our nation, and the global community. This vision demands insight, dedication, time, and understanding from educators. We must recognize the potential in every student, even when others may not. In challenging situations where schools, systems, or families may lose hope, educators must persevere. We must always see the potential for brilliance in every student, even if it’s not apparent today.
Bincy Mary George is an independent educator teaching sociology, and Manager (Operations) at Antara Institute of Health Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal. She can be reached at marygeorge433@gmail.com.
