When Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan became the President of India, some of his students and friends requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday – September 5. He replied, “Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5th is observed as Teachers’ Day.” And rightly so. Dr. Radhakrishnan was one of India’s most distinguished twentieth-century scholars, known for his critical study of Indian philosophy and religion, in addition to various academic accolades.
September 5th is, since then, observed as Teachers’ Day in India. We put together our favorite books about teachers. How many of these have you read?
1. To Sir, With Love by E.R. Braithwaite
A heartwarming autobiographical novel, the story is about a demobbed RAF engineer who finds work as a teacher in a secondary school in London’s East End. Most of the students in his class are barely inclined towards studying and are only semi-literate. Braithwaite decides to try a different approach, and doesn’t just manage to get the students interested, but brings out the best in each of them.
2. Goodbye, Mr. Chips by James Hilton
This novella about a schoolteacher in Brookfield Grammar School, a fictional second-rate British boys’ public boarding school located in the fictional village of Brookfield, is funny and sentimental at the same time, with the persona of the teacher Mr. Chips fitting none of the often seen teacher personalities.
3. Frindle by Andrew Clements
A boy decides to give a new name to the pen – “frindle”. His classmates love the idea and adopt the name, much to the chagrin of their English teacher, who vehemently opposes it, and makes them stay after school and write lines. But by then, everyone has started using the word freely and it’s use cannot be curtailed. The story leaves you with a feel-good feeling and is a great read-aloud for kids.
4. Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery
A sequel to Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Windy Poplars is about Anne’s time as the principal of Summerside High School, where she also teaches.
5. Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Everyone who has read the book wishes they could have had a teacher like Remus Lupin. The Harry Potter books are filled with great teachers – Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape and even Horace Slughorn. But it is Lupin who resonates closest to our hearts.
Recommended: Harry Potter 7 Volume Children’s Boxed Set: The Complete Collection
Featured Image Courtesy: Google Doodles
