This is Principal Bernard AKA the man who was responsible for making me the TAKE-THE-UNIVERSE-BY-ITS-CRAZIES confident girl that was mad enough to leave home at 14 because that’s what I wanted to do.
When my mom dragged me to him at 13 complaining I was going to fail my boards because I hated inorganic chemistry, he said - but she’s good at so many other things, why box her in?
And he rewarded that do-what-you-love ethos by creating an award for me that still stands proud - best all-rounder of the year, so that he could tell me choir and sport and dance and all those fun things were valued and not pointless.
Few moments have made me as emotional as when I was called on stage to receive that award. As Barack Obama said,
If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life.
I am the massive optimist I am today because of Principal Bernard and he’s the best teacher/miyagi I have had. He was just like the Katherine Watson from the Mona Lisa Smile who inspired me to see the world through new eyes. And there are so many more like him, teachers who do this day in and day out for nothing. And it’s not just the good ones that stay with us, the terrible ones can haunt us for life. Mine come through in every book I write.
Today, I am a teacher as well saying it makes my heart swell with pride - it’s one of the favorite parts of my career because it never gets boring and getting even one person closer to their dreams is among the most kick ass feelings in the world. I won’t be Mr Bernard in this life time- but he showed me that’s ok as well. He said,
You don’t need to be perfect, just try to be good at what you want to do and the rest will follow.
Here are some of my favorite movies and books based on inspiring teachers and students which can help you to get inspiration.
Movies:
Dead poets society
Mona Lisa Smile
Coach Carter
Dangerous Minds
Books:
Harry Potter
Prime of Miss Jean Brodie