These women have been teachers for 4 decades in UAE

Abu Dhabi - In her 43-year journey, Mary said teaching amid the pandemic has been the most challenging phase.

Mariamma Ramesh Kumar has been an educator for 38 years, including 32 at St Joseph's School - the oldest private educational institution in Abu Dhabi. In her nearly four-decade long career, she has taught two generations of students.
"Most of them are in top positions in different parts of the world. It makes me feel proud. Hard work is the only investment which never fails. We have to continue to learn in our life."
The school enrolls only girls in the senior section. As a class teacher, Mariamma deployed a unique way to reach out to teenagers. "I would have a suggestion box where they could share their problems without putting their names. Later they come and tell their problems and I help sort them out. Today they remember me for saving them and their future," the 61-year-old teacher said.
Mariamma said the new distance learning method offers teachers a new opportunity to get the best out of students. "I find so many ways of innovation and creativity which can be brought out in the class."
'Teaching amid pandemic a challenge'
Mary Mathew has been in this profession for more than four decades. She started her career in 1977 at a school in India. In September 1982, she joined Abu Dhabi Indian School.
In her 43-year journey, Mary said teaching amid the pandemic has been the most challenging phase. "A teacher should be willing to take up challenges. Being innovative is very important. We must be able to teach students not just subjects but about life. Education, to me, didn't involve only subject teaching. If it can't be translated into your life, then our education wouldn't have the value that was intended for it. Through every subject, I believe, that students should be given a value for life. And that was always the crux of my teaching policy."
Mary retired from school this June 30 at the age of 65. "I want to continue to mentor, motivate and guide students," she added.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com 

• Abu Dhabi