Classroom Whispers — From the Secret Diary of a Sensitive Teacher

Genre: Non-Fiction / Parenting
ISBN: 978-93-93063-74-8
Published: 8 January 2025
Pages: 160
Binding: Hardbound
Published by: Virasat Art Publication

How well do we know our children?
Every day, we hear about incidents of violence, crime, bullying, and even the neglect of elderly parents. These actions, driven by anger or hurt, show us that wealth or education alone doesn’t ensure a happy or good-natured child. Somewhere along the way, something went wrong in their upbringing. It might be neglect, lack of quality time, family disputes, separation, or even unfair comparisons between siblings. These experiences can leave deep scars that children carry as they grow. This book, written by a caring teacher with 26 years of experience, highlights early signs of such distress. It helps parents and guardians recognize these signals early, so they can respond with love and care, fostering Happy Minds for a brighter future.

CHINMOY GUHA
Professor Emeritus, University of Calcutta
Knighthood of Arts and Letters (France)
Sahitya Akademi awardee, 2019

Having heard the ‘classroom whispers for several decades, I can say with complete honesty that I have rarely read a more thoughtful and sensitive book. Dr Jonaki Mukherjee, the distinguished educator, has stroked the words with infinite tenderness, and they fly with wings. It is an extraordinarily dedicated and loving teacher’s homage to the noble profession of teaching, and to her students

ATANU GHOSH
National Award winning Film-maker, a story teller

A quote from Benjamin Franklin says, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I leam.” Regardless of the impish meows of the enfant terrible Avik, or the inconsolable cries of the deeply depressed Aman, Jonaki Mukherjee involves herself in the rapidly expanding and progressively complex worlds of her pupils through intellect, honesty, and empathy. On the ground level, a teacher’s primary involvement with students includes guiding them through academic material, providing support and encouragement, and fostering a positive learning environment. There is an intrinsic art to that as well and the author portrays that masterfully. Her History classes comes alive through the replete imagery of old civilizations, royal courts, battlefields, periodic love stories, stories of romance and revenge, allies and adversaries, sins and sacrifices, and what not! But it is through patience, perseverance and unconditional devotion that she delves deep into the psyche of her learners, addressing individual needs, transforming their attitudes, and eventually acting as a mentor and role model beyond the classroom. A fascinating read, almost magical in its stunning imagery of the classroom and out of it, the scenes, dialogues and characters as vibrant as an engaging film, this book thrives on the transforming experiences of the teacher herself. Her evolution, her insights her realisations, made me remember ER. Braithwaite’s To Sir With Love after so many years of reading it.

SUDEEP CHATTERJEE: ISC
National Award winning Cinematographer, Bibliophile

The book transported me effortlessly into not just my own childhood but also my kids… The little endearing stories warm your heart with such tender