On Teacher’s Day, we often think of classrooms, blackboards, and lessons. But for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, teachers play an even more profound role. Teachers of the Deaf (ToDs) are not only educators; they are bridges—linking parents and children, communication and understanding, silence and expression.
A Bridge Between Parents and Children
“Working with deaf children means being part of a meaningful journey where every small achievement brings a big smile. It’s about giving voice to silence, building trust, and creating opportunities for children to express themselves and grow with confidence.”
— Jayanta Gogoi, Teacher of the Deaf
For many parents, discovering that their child is deaf can be overwhelming. Questions about communication, schooling, and the future can feel heavy. Teachers of the Deaf step in at this very point of uncertainty. They show parents that deafness does not mean the end of dreams. With patience and compassion, they guide families in learning how to connect with their child through sign language, gestures, or speech. In doing so, they bring light back into homes that once felt clouded with doubt.
What Teachers of the Deaf (TODs) Do
Every day, ToDs do the quiet, essential work of making communication possible. They help children learn their first signs or spoken words, build confidence in self-expression, and slowly bridge the gap between home and school.
For Meghana, who has been with VAANI for over four years, each step forward feels miraculous:
“Every word these children speak feels like a wonderful gift. The parents and the community respect us with great pride, and that makes me very happy.”
Their work extends beyond language. They support life skills, emotional development, and vocational training. They prepare children not just for exams, but for life itself. They also walk alongside mainstream teachers, offering ways to adapt lessons so that deaf children are not left behind.
Changing Lives — Including Their Own
The relationship is not one-sided. Teachers of the Deaf often speak about how deeply they are changed by the children they teach.
“The best part of my job is witnessing the progress and growth of deaf children—whether it’s watching them learn new signs, develop language skills, or build confidence in communication. These moments are truly rewarding.”
— Dipti Acharjee, Teacher of the Deaf
For Laxmi, the work came at a turning point in her own life. After an accident left her with a disability, she found a new purpose through VAANI:
“VAANI allowed me to work with deaf children—such loving children with strong bonds with parents. All parents show respect and gratitude. Every smile makes me thankful for this chance.”
In these reflections, you hear both sides of the bridge—the joy of children learning, and the fulfilment teachers feel in guiding them.
Honouring Them This Teacher’s Day
Teachers of the Deaf are not always in the spotlight. Yet their patience, creativity, and determination ripple through the lives of children and families for years to come. They are the steady hands that guide a child’s first sign, the reassuring voice for parents, and the advocates for inclusion in schools and communities.
🧡 This Teacher’s Day, we honour every Teacher of the Deaf who walks beside families and children, proving that education is not only about sound—it is about connection, confidence, and love.
