She started out at school as a history teacher. She then went on to start teaching computer programming. She must have been under 5 ft and very tiny. She had a unique voice and would end up having a jet of chalk powder on her forehead at the end of every class. We started learning computer science with a programming language called BASIC. I guess that is when I started my love for coding and programming languages. I am not a hardcore coder, but the mere thought process of structuring and logical thinking excites me. I then went on to learn C++, C, Java, Unix scripting, ABAP, and yet everything goes back to her and her teachings. Rajamani Miss. She has to be the absolute one person at school who had tremendous confidence in me. To the rest of the school, my over-achiever brother, Mr Goody-two-shoes was the apple of their eye. Okay, not really, but you get the point.
She told us during class, "You can pick up any programming language easily, and you should because it will keep evolving. However, you need to learn and focus on logical thinking. That is the key". Over the last 20 years, that has been proven over and over again. Any time I code, I think of her. She was probably the most critical of my code. She would not let me away with even silly spelling mistakes. I still remember writing 'produre' instead of 'procedure' once out of 2 times in my answer and she deducted marks for it. Weird how autocorrect is prompting me to correct the word now. :)
Why do I remember this? Because that is how she made me better every time. She knew I did not have patience. She made me re-write over and over again if I did not come up with an optimal logic.
Most of my memories are in the computer science lab. Being prepared for the toughest code during exams and getting something I could write in 5 minutes and get out. Writing "Welcome to Computer Science Lab" in a fancy banner as a welcome message to some guests at school. Seems very silly now, but remember it was 20 years ago. Using asterisks, loop to achieve this was so satisfying.
Behind every achievement was my Rajamani miss. She passed away a couple of years back. I still remember getting a call from my friend who gave me this news while I was standing and waiting for my office bus to come. Tears were rolling down uncontrollably all the way to the office. I am afraid I will end up tearing up again while writing about her. I wish I could meet her, speak to her again and tell her what I am doing now. She would have been so proud. I wish I could tell her family how much of an impact she has had on my life. How her legacy will live on via students like me who have been touched by her.
Rajamani Miss, you are forever my best and favourite teacher. I don't think these words can express how special and dear you are to me. I will share your stories with my son, his kids, and anyone I meet. While I have had many teachers, you, without a doubt, are my most precious memory. I am me because of you. I hope you are proud of me.
P.S: I am trying to get her photograph and will add it here. Too bad that we did not take photos like we do now.
She told us during class, "You can pick up any programming language easily, and you should because it will keep evolving. However, you need to learn and focus on logical thinking. That is the key". Over the last 20 years, that has been proven over and over again. Any time I code, I think of her. She was probably the most critical of my code. She would not let me away with even silly spelling mistakes. I still remember writing 'produre' instead of 'procedure' once out of 2 times in my answer and she deducted marks for it. Weird how autocorrect is prompting me to correct the word now. :)
Why do I remember this? Because that is how she made me better every time. She knew I did not have patience. She made me re-write over and over again if I did not come up with an optimal logic.
Most of my memories are in the computer science lab. Being prepared for the toughest code during exams and getting something I could write in 5 minutes and get out. Writing "Welcome to Computer Science Lab" in a fancy banner as a welcome message to some guests at school. Seems very silly now, but remember it was 20 years ago. Using asterisks, loop to achieve this was so satisfying.
Behind every achievement was my Rajamani miss. She passed away a couple of years back. I still remember getting a call from my friend who gave me this news while I was standing and waiting for my office bus to come. Tears were rolling down uncontrollably all the way to the office. I am afraid I will end up tearing up again while writing about her. I wish I could meet her, speak to her again and tell her what I am doing now. She would have been so proud. I wish I could tell her family how much of an impact she has had on my life. How her legacy will live on via students like me who have been touched by her.
Rajamani Miss, you are forever my best and favourite teacher. I don't think these words can express how special and dear you are to me. I will share your stories with my son, his kids, and anyone I meet. While I have had many teachers, you, without a doubt, are my most precious memory. I am me because of you. I hope you are proud of me.
P.S: I am trying to get her photograph and will add it here. Too bad that we did not take photos like we do now.
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