My dear children,
It's that time of the year when I switch into my reflective mode.
I am forever grateful to God for this life and for calling me to become a Teacher. I am grateful to my parents and family who have been and are still my strength and support. I am also grateful to my colleagues, superiors and mentors. And last, but certainly not the least, I am grateful to my students, past and present.
A huge part of my life has been devoted to teaching and when I reflect, which I've been doing more than usual, this year, I think fondly of those years and my students.
Yes, you, my 'children', you have been a big part of my life and still occupy a large part of my heart, somewhere between the left auricle and right ventricle.
I would be grateful if you could write a few words or an anecdote or anything that you remember about your time with me.
Type in the comments below, with your name, and the year I taught you.
Yours forever,
Ms Joyce/ Teacher Joyce/ Joyce Ma'am.
P.S. Your comments are sent to me via email and then published. So, there maybe a delay. Be patient.
Mitchelle Monteiro - Convent Girls’ High School
ReplyDeleteYou started teaching me in my 6th STD, June 2001 - April 2002: English;
7th STD, June 2002 - April 2003: English, Geography, Religion, Class Teacher, and everything that a teacher could be in between;
8th STD, June 2003 - 17th October, 2003: English.
To think of the time spent learning from you and not get a little emotional, would be unfair to the memories I cherish, Miss.
From learning morals via religion; to seeing you write the name of the chapter/poem, followed by the name of the author/poet, thereby followed by the page no. in your ever-so-perfect handwriting (not to forget the date on top left corner); to being Angel Gabriel for our Christmas play in 2002; to remembering only you every time I hear ‘Long Time Ago in Bethlehem...’; there are tons of memories that I hold close to my heart very dearly.
You brought along a major sense of stability and serenity for a child who was dealing with a broken family and a lot of turmoil & chaos internally.
Thank you for being who you were. It made going from one day to the next a lot easier.
My dearest Mitchelle,
DeleteThank you for being you.
❤️❤️😊
DeleteI'm amazed how you remember the exact dates too.
ReplyDeleteHaving you around was a blessing.
DeleteSeeing you go on your last day - no matter how happy I was for you - was beyond painful. It was very difficult to get used to ‘school’ without you, for it was through your very soothing vibe that I would feel like nothing would go wrong if you were around😊❤️🤗
Rinsa Biju - Don Bosco Senior Secondary School Nerul
ReplyDeleteYou were my class teacher when I was in class 4th and 10th. You were a part of my life during the starting years of my school life. You taught us to work together like a group. I still remember the value education programme of 4th std. It was definitely one of the best value education programmes conducted during that particular academic year. (2013-14)
Later on, in my 9th std (2018-19) you taught us SST.
Then finally, in my 10th std (2019-20) you were my class teacher. My last year in Don Bosco School. You made each of us feel special. You made each and every CCA activity fun. You made English Period interesting. We had a lot of fun during our Value education programme practices. Thank you for making our 10th std fun and not a hectic one for sure.
You motivated me not only me but all of us from the start to the end. You made sure each one of us were stress-free before writing each and every exam.
Thank you for being a very important part of my life.
Thank you Rinsa. You are part of such a talented batch. Our last Value Education Assembly programme was put up in no time. I almost got a panic attack, but you all pulled it off....each and everyone of you deserve to be on My 'Hall of Fame'
DeleteDear Joyce ma'am,
ReplyDeleteI consider you not only the best teacher I have ever had, but also the best mentor I have ever had.I learned a lot in your class because you took the extra time to explain things clearly. Even though you were a strict teacher, I know that I have learned more from your class than any other I had. You made studies fun and interesting. If I could nominate you for the best teacher of all times, I definitely would. 10th felt much easier than I thought with you guiding us whenever needed. I remember you teaching religion in 4th and 9th standard. I used to eagerly wait for the religion period because you made it so amazing that I couldn't realize when the time passed. I still remember your unique and fun ways of teaching. You made each of your students feel absolutely special. Thank you for all your hardwork and dedication you put into teaching such naughty students like us. The lessons you have taught will be remembered forever. Thank you ma'am for having such a great influence on us.
-Yannah Bird
(Class 4- 2013-2014,
Class 9- 2018-2019 and
Class 10- 2019-2020)
Thanks Yannah. You'll always remain in my memory as 'Cinderella'. You all are very special.
DeleteHi ms Joyce this is Farha from reging pacis night school I remebrmer I was a new student in standard 5 th and u taught us english I use to hate studies and was a failure in other school so my parents changed my school and I joined from std 5 th u were my best teacher taught us till std 10 th I enjoyed my studies a lot and u supported us a lot in std 7 u were our class teacher and we won I best class award I enjoyed my school life because of u as a wonderful person and a best teacher I joined regina in the year 1995 and appeard for my ssc in 2000 I still miss the days which I had spend with u miss I wish I could bring all my days back again but one thing ms Joyce u still u look as pretty as u were
ReplyDeleteLove u miss and will always love u and respect u through out my life 😙💗🙏
Thank you Farha. I remember the 'Best class'. Those days cannot be brought back but thanks for sharing the memories.
DeleteCan't call you one of the best teachers but THE BEST TEACHER I've ever had, when you called us children you actually meant it. And you proved it through consistently showing your kindness and meaning what you say until today.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many experiences with you which showed all of us what a teacher actually means.
One of which i remeber and will never forget is, how when a child from our class had run away from home apparently, but you went out to search for him, were afraid, heart broken and shed tears until you found him, just as a MOTHER would.
And the way you forgave our class time and time again even when we were so rude, undisciplined rather disrespectful. Not once, twice, thrice but innumerable times.
You showed me what a teacher's love actually was and how it can lead a student to be better in life.
Thankyou Joyce ma'am for being the change. For pouring so much love.
You will always have a special place in the heart of all your students.
Praise God for gifting us with a teacher like you!
-shawn
DeleteThank you Shawn
DeleteI just try to do my duty, to be faithful to my calling. I thank God for you all. It only He who can change lives. I'm just His medium. God bless you too.
I joined Don Bosco when I was in 2nd standard. And back then, we used to have this poem recitation house-wise competition. I remember seeing you from a distance, teaching my opponent team by taking overtime practices 😂.
ReplyDeleteCutting to a few years later to my 9th grade, I came to know you as Andrew's mom from church when he joined the week choir. And incidentally you became my class teacher that very year!
This memory is just one among so many others that I have of you and will cherish each and every one of it. Thank you ma'am!
Annie Keerthana
Class teacher 2016-17, 2017-18
Thanks Annie, I remember someone mistook you to be my daughter when they saw our photo together.:-)
DeleteDear ma'am,
ReplyDelete'Tis I Arhant Nandeshwar xD. A student who is better at language and public speaking today because of you. Forever grateful for the teacher who was behind every speech of mine and gave critique to every word and pronounciation of mine. Our time in the literary club will never be forgotten and I will always remember our time in practice for numerous functions at Don Bosco! Your love gave so many students the strength to get up and make something if themselves when they were lost in the abyss of sadness and you dragged many students out of the voids of disappointment.
I sincerely thank you, as a student but also one of the members of the student council where the efforts we put wouldve been in vain if not for you and many teachers with you.
Thank you once again ^^
Yours truly,
Arhant (Batch 2018-19) (But we've known each other since I was in prep so any batch or slot of time won't be enough to express how much of a connection you have with me and many others!)
Hope you have a wonderful year
Thank Arhant. 'abyss' and 'voids'...The English teacher in me is happy....but that aside, I didn't do anything extraordinary. God put me in the right place at the right time...and kids you have resilience in you that you don't even know about. I am glad presence made a difference.
DeleteHi teacher Joyce.
ReplyDeleteI am Clara Fernandes from Regina Pacis you have been part of my school life from 5th to the 10th standard for Geography, Religio class and Been there as a teacher throughout my school life. There are many memories I have of you. Your smile is unforgettable. You've been a big emotional support for me. Thank you for being there for me. I thank God for having you as an important part of my life. Today I am a strong individual all credit to my teachers and sisters of Regina pacis.
These r few words to Express my feelings but the Gratitude is big no words can Express that.
Thank you for being there for me.
Thanks Clara. My first teaching experience with you all, when I myself was a teenaged college student, is what moulded me as a teacher. You taught me life lessons without knowing it.
DeleteTo my dearest Joyce ma'am
ReplyDeleteI remember you taught me in 9th and 10th. But there is this one thing that I will never forget no matter how old I become. You always said that if the students get 5 postive remarks in the calender you will reward us gifts at the end of the year.and right now I feel so lucky that i was one of the student that got these positive remarks. You gave us all a motivational book which had a small message and your precious sign. I will always keep that close to my heart . It might be a small gesture but it is very special. Not just you but all the teachers of Don Bosco are very close to my heart. No matter how much we irritated all the teachers but they still gave us all the love and care we deserve. LOVE YOU MA'AM. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU. thank you for being there always❤️ -SREH DEEP (2017-18 BATCH DON BOSCO)
Thank you Sreh Deep. Your positivity and zest is still a fond memory. Be the same.
ReplyDelete“I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them”
ReplyDeleteThis quote best summarises how I feel about my school days right now when I reminisce about the good old days. Social studies was one of my favourite subjects growing up and your teaching was one of the biggest reasons behind it. Your social studies class was one of the very few things I used to eagerly wait for in school😂. Learning from you in your classes, repeatedly asking you to give us a free period so that we could go out and play, preparing and rehearsing for the annual day event - all of it was a wonderfully enriching journey whose positive value we now realise. I am sure it’s the same for my batchmates.
I hope we were never too mischievous for you to handle, though we did have our fair share of fun in your class😛.
One recent memory that I have with you is of an alumni meet where we met and I joked about how you had not accepted my Facebook friend request! The fact that you remembered this and went back to check the same (only to remind me on my wall that you had in-fact already accepted my request!) showed how much you care about your students, past and present.
It was an absolute pleasure to be your student and I hope we made you proud :) Thank you for being there for us always and forever!
Thanks Madhur for making memories of the good old days tangible for me by posting here.
DeleteYour batch holds the distinction of being our first Class X batch!
Your text-book worthy answers merit mention in many of my classes.
Yes, you make me proud. Always!
Hi ma'am,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't decide which good memory of you to share cause there are so many of them, but, the time when you asked us all to recite a poem by heart in front of the class is the best of them. I remember waking up that morning and going to school,proud of myself that i didn't forget the activity you had given us. But when the time came to recite it I couldn't do it and you sent me back to my seat. I wasn't upset about the fact that I won't get the marks but that I couldn't complete the one simple thing i was asked to do and thought i failed completely,but you then asked me to read out the poem to the class because you liked the poem and i did. It made me feel so happy that you liked the poem and that is what made my day. It was such a good day for me, even though I failed most of it��, that I kept that piece of paper with the poem on it and i still have it. I still read it sometimes when I miss school. Thank you joyce ma'am for giving me some of the best memories of school.
Nikhil Bangal
Thank you Nikhil for sharing this. You are a talented youngster and I know you will shine. Remember sometimes even football is poetry in motion.
DeleteDear Joyce ma'am,
ReplyDeleteWishing you the happiest birthday ever!!! I really hope that you have a wonderful day and thank you for being there for me :)
I don't have much memories of IV or V Std but I remember that you used to teach us catechism in a really fun way!! And then in class 10 you had been my support all the time. I always remember the times I felt that I couldn't do my tasks anymore but you were the one who encouraged me! I remember that day when I was really disturbed by a thought and that day I don't know how you got to know but you had called me personally during a class for the selection purpose and you saw that something was really bothering me and that's when I got to open up to you about what was happening that time. You really came like an Angel �� in my life that day!! You really have me strength that day! And now the fun memories that we made , teachers day celebration, your birthday celebration, the jokes that we cracked during practices for our value ed programme, all have become golden memories for me! Yes XC rocked every programme!!! We together were the best! I really miss everyone when I think about it now�� I also remember the time we were preparing for the Christmas carol competition and we were not sure if we would win but all of us had given our best and yes XC won all the prizes and I remember your huge smile from that day!! I could see that you were proud of us!!
Thank you ma'am for being my support and always telling me to stay strong and do my work! And I also remember when you had made a ppt for us on children's Day as a gift�� to thank us!!!
The last year of being in school was really made special by you and I really don't have words to express my gratitude for you! And yes I just remembered I had done some work at the last moment because someone else had my done it and you were so thankful towards me that you had got me some sweets from Goa!!!! The were really delicious I must say����
I really love you ma'am❤️ and hope to meet you really soon!
This is your lovely chubby girl Joanna sending you tight hugs��
- Joanna Sanju
( Batch 2019- 2020 Don Bosco School)
Dear Miss Joyce,
ReplyDeleteWe were your first students at Regna Pacis Night School Byculla.
When my sister Flavia Fernandes and me took admission we were admitted to the night school as there were no seats in he day. We both didn't like this but were assured next year we would get admission in the day. Didnt like as there were no uniforms, elder students etc.etc. But as days passed by we were grateful n thankful to be part of this school, just because we had the beautiful creation of God TEACHERS. And you were one of the best ones. My class teacher in VI grade. You were strict yet loved by us all. Your smile so beautiful. Those were the best days of my life to have u all such wonderful mentors of life.
I thank the Lord to have connected us again after many years today as we are parents . I proudly tell my daughter n hubby about how great teacher you were to us.
Your 1st hand experience stundents at RP.
Love you Miss. Keep smiling 😃 always it motivates many to smile in return.
Yours those years favorite student.
Priscilla Fernandes Correa (batch of 1990)
Dear Miss Joyce,
ReplyDeleteWe were your first students at Regna Pacis Night School Byculla.
When my sister Flavia Fernandes and me took admission we were admitted to the night school as there were no seats in he day. We both didn't like this but were assured next year we would get admission in the day. Didnt like as there were no uniforms, elder students etc.etc. But as days passed by we were grateful n thankful to be part of this school, just because we had the beautiful creation of God TEACHERS. And you were one of the best ones. My class teacher in VI grade. You were strict yet loved by us all. Your smile so beautiful. Those were the best days of my life to have u all such wonderful mentors of life.
I thank the Lord to have connected us again after many years today as we are parents . I proudly tell my daughter n hubby about how great teacher you were to us.
Your 1st hand experience stundents at RP.
Love you Miss. Keep smiling �� always it motivates many to smile in return.
Yours those years favorite student.
Priscilla Fernandes Correa (batch of 1990)
Dear Priscilla,
DeleteRegina Pacis and you all are very dear to me. I was a teenager myself when I began teaching and I learned much more than I taught. I am grateful that God put me there.