Power, Passion And Skill

Describe the role of teachers in students’ success. 

A teacher's influence extends beyond the classroom; they have a significant impact on their students' lives. A teacher imparts knowledge, morals, customs and contemporary problems, and helps them with solutions. Teachers identify their students' strengths and shortcomings and guide them toward the best strategies. Teachers are responsible for the growth of their students and it's our duty to support them in selecting the successful path.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Each and every day, each and every child, I have the power, the passion, the skill and the knowledge to make a difference! That is in essence the spirit of inclusiveness that we have at our school. Every child is unique. While the focus is on academic excellence and getting every child to reach his maximum potential, the children are also encouraged to pursue fields they are passionate about. Our educators provide a supportive, positive learning environment to each child. The enrichment programme establishes our shared responsibility to ensure that our advanced learners are provided with educational pathways and appropriately challenging opportunities to develop their abilities to meet their potential. We want cohesiveness in diversity, where children imbibe the values of discipline and tolerance, sensitivity and empathy; we respect open-minded perspectives; this is our philosophy and can only be achieved through an inclusive culture at school, where every child matters.  

The classroom, with all its chatter, mischief, drama, arguments, questions, laughter and the stories is what makes the journey of learning an enjoyable experience. It encourages collaboration and exchange of ideas and perspectives and develops the thinking, social, communication and self-management skills. It allows students to apply their knowledge and conceptual understanding to real-world problems or situations. It provides a safe haven for children to express themselves and learn from others’ views. It inculcates the quality of acceptance and respect for others. In a typical classroom, every student is urged to participate and contribute to the discussion, to take a stand and speak with conviction. Students could pose questions or present their point of view; others could counter or add points from their inventory of ideas. Conflicting views could also result in animated and heated discussions. At times, within a structure, there could even be chaotic expressions of opinions. The sensitivity to appreciate and respect another’s view even if not in agreement would be a social skill to pick up.

When a child feels safe in his learning environment, active learning happens. Philosophically, I feel we must create a safe space that gives the children the freedom to express themselves. Fun and laughter, humour and the ‘feel good’ factor is important to make the classroom engaging. The children should be able to relate to what is being taught. 

How do you use technology in the classroom and what role Covid plays in this?

While I continue to maintain that nothing can ever replace the human touch, the physical presence of a teacher in a class full of students, buzzing with vibrant activity, we have redefined and recreated our classrooms into virtual spaces, aided by edtech tools. It has been a truly learning and fairly successful experience for all of us across!

However, let me tell you that an online class doesn't just 'happen'. It is not as easy as one would think. It is far tougher to engage students online, behind a virtual window; every activity has to be thoughtfully planned out so as to keep the learner actively involved. It’s crucial to design a lesson that is functional and one that students can relate to. It cannot be content heavy for it would get too monotonous; our teachers consciously try to balance out the content with effective delivery. The learning experience must appeal to reason as well as spark imagination in the learner. How easy do you think that would be online? But I must say, our teachers have risen to the need of the hour. And our children are our heroes too!

In what ways you motivate students to keep going in spite of failures?

Children love to talk, to share, they wish to be heard; our counsellors have created safe spaces - a space to listen, care and share; we have class discussions on a variety of topics including personal anecdotes of how they are coping, their fears and apprehensions as well as conversations around resilience. 

During the pandemic, it was important to humanise the digital frame to enable a mutual connect; there was a mix of real life, serious and fun conversations. This learning amounts to far more than what we can ever teach them.

Besides the informational aspect of learning, the transformational aspect upholds emotional and mental health and this was the rationale behind the creation of Minds Matter, a progressive and comprehensive curriculum to guide children through their growing up years. The modules explore self-awareness, self-management, self and others, awareness about the importance of mental health. The curriculum is well structured so as to ensure that all the aspects of an individual’s emotional and mental well-being are prioritised and the individual can aspire to be the best version of themselves.

How do you like to communicate and build relationships with parents?

A healthy partnership with parents goes a long way in ensuring 360-degree growth and progress for the student. Open communication with parents and providing them opportunities to contribute and collaborate is essential. The well-established system of Class Representatives (CRs) helps the school to hear and understand the perspectives of the parent body. 

Highlight some common challenges that teachers face. 

In this ever-changing dynamic environment that children are growing in, teachers need to unlearn and learn on a daily basis. They need to ensure their lessons are engaging for all the students. The focus has to extend beyond content to concept and context. 

What do you consider as your greatest professional achievement? 

My calling as an educator is not about the awards that I have won; it is about touching the lives of so many people and making a mark. I may not have authored a book but I know I have left an imprint in the hearts of the children and teachers who I have worked with. My students remember me for the learning that went way beyond the text book!

That my students look forward to coming to my classroom; that ex-students remember the smallest of instances during their school when they were made to feel special and cared for.

What message would you like to spread this Teacher’s Day?

On the occasion of Teacher's Day, would like to acknowledge the hard work of all its educators. We thank them for their selfless dedication and commitment to enriching the lives of countless children and young people. World over we know that ‘what we give comes back to us in equal measure if not more’. So as educators let us share joys, let us reach out to others, let us give respect, let us spread cheer, let us give positive vibes. And it will all come back to us!