Windmills of my mind
“Guru Dakshina” is an ancient concept. It is the tradition to convey gratitude to one’s ‘guru’ or the ‘teacher’ after the complete process of education is over. This is done out of respect and acknowledgment by the student towards the teacher or the guru. It is a traditional custom of thanks- giving to the guru. And here I share my article dedicated to the guiding forces through my years in school.
"I am so going to be a doctor!" I declared this to myself as I walked out of my class - my Spanish class!
Mr. Justin Greenberg’s class embodied what World Language was always meant to be - an education in liberal arts that liberated your mind and its infinite creativity from its self-imposed boundaries.
Mr. Greenberg’s class taught me about ancient civilizations, global trade agreements, and Mariah Carey. Most importantly, it taught me how I naturally thought. His lessons weren’t just about studying grammar, reading Spanish literature, or watching a few videos. To him, class discussions were his way of gauging what genre of music, art or literature excited us, and then encouraging us to explore.
At that time, I discovered new stories, new authors, new perspectives. It is with awe that I realize how the banter from Mr. Greenberg’s class continues to power the windmills of my mind even today.
No, I don't believe Mr. Greenberg "taught" us anything. Yet was the greatest "teacher" one could pray for. Unbeknownst to us and through his methods, he led us on a journey of self-discovery and gave us the greatest education of all - an understanding of "ourselves", the knowledge of who I "was", why I was that way and letting me confidently embrace the "me" whom I discovered through his class.
The power of "being me" has carried me through challenges and dilemmas I had no prior life-experience with, and it remains the most valuable lesson I have learned to date.
I am probably more nostalgic as High School tapers to an end and my mind is a wash with thoughts of my moments in classes like History with Mr. Kohl, English with Ms. Selekman and Ms. Chandler, Math with the Fitzhughs and Ms. Vega, Science with Ms. Toner and Mr. Katz……and of course Mrs. Terri Fenimore without whom I could still be very well stuck in High school!
I cannot imagine any other set of teachers who could have prepared me better for what’s next!
