Mani Sir's message to KOC Community on Teachers Day on 05th September 2024


Dear Parents & Teachers, 

On this special occasion of Teacher’s Day, I want to take a moment to celebrate you all, not just as learners of parenting or teaching but as future teachers and torchbearers of the Waldorf tradition. Over the past years, I have watched you engage deeply with the principles of Steiner education, approaching each concept with openness, curiosity, and a desire to understand education of children in the light of spiritual science , in its truest sense: as a journey that nurtures the whole being—body, soul, and spirit.

 


Being a Waldorf teacher is a calling like no other. No different is it being a Waldorf parent. It asks for more than just an academic understanding of subjects or a tick-box type of parenting; it requires us to see the child as a spiritual being and to embrace our own inner development. In our PTMs, we haven’t merely been discussing parenting techniques or curriculum models. We’ve been walking together on a path of self-awareness, discovering what it means to be parents or educators who not only do their job but inspire through their destined job, who not only instruct but awaken. This, my dear parents and teachers, is the heart of Waldorf education.

 


On this Teacher’s Day, I want to acknowledge your commitment—not just to admit your children into our Kingdom of Childhood but to the lifelong inner work it takes to be a Waldorf teacher or parent. Steiner spoke often of the importance of self-development  and you have all embraced this task with courage and dedication. You are not just learning about anthroposophic parenting and child development; you are becoming human beings who will walk with children on their own journeys of growth, creativity, and self-realization.

 


It takes time and patience to truly embody the ideals of Waldorf education. There will be moments when you feel unsure, especially as parents when the work seems overwhelming, or as teachers, when the challenges of teaching weigh heavy on your heart. In these moments, remember why you chose this path. You chose it because you believe in the profound potential of every child, because you understand the transformative power of education.  Also remember a parent is the first teacher and a teacher is no more than another parent of the child, walking the path together for 7 long years and the rest of the path, spiritually.

 


I am deeply grateful for the trust and faith  you all have in Steiner Education and the Kingdom of Childhood ,  for the future children who will walk into your classrooms and HOMES. Your commitment to Steiner's vision will help shape a world where education goes beyond grades and exams and instead nurtures human beings who are free to think, create, and serve the greater good. Remember Teaching is not merely a profession—it is a sacred trust. Parenting is not merely a shepherd's task but a conscious act of love. 

 


On this Teacher’s Day, I honor you all for choosing this path, for committing to the inner work it requires, and for your dedication to the children who will one day look up to you for guidance and inspiration for the challenges life throws at them. Remember the fruits of Waldorf are not just till their board exams but for a lifetime, results that you may only harvest and wonder at, years later.

 


Thank you for being part of this journey. I cannot but thank each one of you for the magnanimous contribution towards our building fund by yourselves and by being ambassadors for our cause. I am awestruck to know the tremendous support we have from both parents and teachers towards building this HOME for our school. We have made so many calls to each family and not one of them was in vain. I must tell you, Together, we are creating something beautiful and lasting for the future of humanity and not just for a few children. Because building a Waldorf school is nothing but a cosmic festival on Earth. And therefore doubts disappear and hope surfaces again and again that the right things will appear at the right time of destiny. Thanks once again to each one of you.


HAPPY TEACHERS DAY!!!

With deep appreciation and warm wishes, 

Manivannan Ganapathy (on behalf of all of us in this wonderful community.)

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