Happiness and Tolerance - Aarya RPKM

Scenario 1- Unhappy Child

A student in my class shifted to our city from another city due to his father's job transfer. In the course, he was always silent and sad. He always seemed a bit nervous and didn't even have friends. I noticed this, and one day I asked him to meet me after the class.

When he came to meet me, I asked him, "I see that you are often very quiet. Neither do you talk to anyone nor show interest in anything, and its effect can also be seen in your studies? What is the reason?
The student replied, "Ma'am, I miss my friends, cousins and grandparents. I have no friends here, and because of this, I cannot concentrate on my studies."

I carefully listened to him and decided to help him to overcome his sadness. I asked a few of my class students to be friends with him so he could quickly settle down in this new environment. I always cared that he might not sit alone and nobody would hurt him. I asked the other teachers also to take care of him. After a few days, I saw him laughing with his classmates and playing with them. His smile was God's blessing for me.

Advice to teachers 

• Always treat your students with love and care.
• Never criticize a student In front of other students.
• Nothing is more important than the mental health of a child.
• They are like sunflowers; you are like a sun to them, 'A ray of hope.'
• A happy teacher is a good teacher, so try to be satisfied with them.

Scenario 2- Intolerant Students    

Two years back in my class, two students, Naman and Reyan, started fighting and arguing with each other. Seeing them fighting, I stopped them and asked them, `What happened? Why are you arguing and fighting with each other?"

Naman said, "Madam, he is telling me I am wrong in my point."

Reyan said, "Ma'am, what he is saying is wrong."

Both were right on their points and didn't want to listen to each other. I decided to solve this. I asked Naman to stand on one side of the desk and Reyan on the opposite.

I took the chalk and drew the number 9 like this so that From Naman's side, it would look like 6, and from Reyan's side, it would look like 9.

Then I asked Reyan what he could see? Reyan said this is Number 9.

Then I asked Naman what he could see? Naman said this is Number 6.

Both answers were different, and they again started arguing. Seeing this, I calmed them down and asked them to change their places.

When both changed their places, I again asked them, "Now, look at the number. What is it?'
Reyan replied, "Ma'am, this is 6."

Naman replied, ``it is 9.’’

Seeing this, both students were surprised and realized they were right. I explained, "Life is like that too. One whose opinion differs from yours doesn't need to be wrong. It's just a difference in point of view. In such situations, instead of getting into arguments, we should try to understand other's point of view. This is how they both understood and decided not to argue anymore and try to understand each other's point of view.

Advice for educators
1. We should always maintain our patience with students, no matter how bad our mood is.

2. Sometimes, you experience many students with different strengths and weaknesses. Some students may have behavioural problems, making them difficult to handle in class. If a student is behaving poorly, address the behaviour at the moment. Take the route to get the student back on track with his or her studies. In the long term, take measures in your classroom to discourage problem behaviour. Work on preventing problem behaviours by establishing and reinforcing clear rules.

Aarya @ RPK School Moradabad
Nishi, Manisha Bansal, Natasha Singh, Kalpana Saxena, Meeta Gulati, Shivani Mathur and Jyoti Singh.

Image credits 

First image Shutterstock.com

Second one https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/perception-every-individual-unique-matters-samuel-bandi

Happy Teachers: The Joy of Learning

Happiness and Tolerance

Assignment 1

Dealing with Challenging Students
Think of two (2) situations where you as an educator were faced with (preferably natural)/ might face the challenge of dealing with:

How did/will you deal with the student?
A) If it was a real-life situation, were you successful in helping him/her overcome their problem?
B) What is your advice to educators who want to inculcate these values in their students?

Scenario 1: Unhappy Student
Recently, one of my students lost a family member, and they were feeling unfortunate and upset. This the student needed help focusing on their schoolwork and not participating in class. As their teacher, I wanted to help them feel better and ensure they got the support they needed. I talked to them privately and listened to their feelings, letting them know that it was okay to be sad and that they were not alone. I offered them extra time and resources to help them catch up on their schoolwork, and I also suggested they speak with a counsellor if they needed more support. Over time, the student began feeling better and participating more in class.

Advice to Educators:
If you have an unhappy student, it’s essential to approach them with empathy and understanding. Listen to their feelings, validate their emotions, and offer them support and resources to help them cope with their challenges. Ensure the student knows they are not alone and asking for help is okay.

Scenario 2: Intolerant Student
In my class, a student was intolerant towards others because of their political beliefs. This student was making fun of others and calling them names, making the classroom environment uncomfortable and hostile. As their teacher, I knew I needed to address this behaviour and promote empathy and respect for others. I talked to the student privately and explained why their behaviour was unacceptable, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, regardless of their beliefs. I also encouraged the student to be more open-minded and inclusive in their interactions with others. Over time, the student began to change their behaviour and started treating
others with more respect and kindness.

Advice to Educators:
If you have a student who is intolerant towards others, it’s essential to address the behaviour
immediately and firmly. Explain why their behaviour is not acceptable and how it can hurt others.
Promote empathy and understanding by encouraging students to be more open-minded and inclusive in their interactions with others. Finally, foster a safe and respectful classroom environment where all students feel valued and included, regardless of their background or identity.

Sanju Sharma

Kamla Nehru Public School

Phagwara, Punjab, India

23rd April 2023

Applying the ideas in this book will transform how schools can deliver

My Good School 
Where Passion Meets Education

Sandeep is a passionate educator. He is one of those individuals who have dedicated his life to making the greatest impact on the greatest number of people. The way he has chosen to do that is by helping schools and teachers implement programs that will help students to become lifelong learners. 

He believes in the idea that if you can change a child’s life, you can change the life of their family, their community and indeed their nation. He has live up to his motto for the last 35 years of his life in helping teachers improve their skills, helping school administrators understand how to deliver the best learning outcomes, helping school heads foster communities of curiosity, openness, learning and creativity in their schools. 

Sandeep has taken his lifelong experiences and summarized them in this thoughtful, provocative and very readable book.

I have had the pleasure of watching Sandeep’s work in the school I founded 30 years ago and the proof of his work lies in watching the graduates of the school who came from a small rural community do extraordinary things with their life. 

He has shown that regardless of where one is born, ones social or economic status, a good school can transform a child’s life by helping them learn and develop into ethical responsible global citizens. 

This book explains how schools can achieve significantly better teaching standards, foster a sense of community and help each student reach their fullest potential.

Sandeep does a great job of framing the issues that educators / school owners and administrators faced, also where they must focus their energy. As he said at the beginning of Chapter 2 - “A country is as developed as its Education sector. We in India should make ‘affordable quality education’ our development mantra and this alone will help us thrive as a great nation. No matter what path we take on the road to economic development, the quality of education will always be a speed breaker”. 

Sandeep’s book is an invaluable read for policy makers, school owners / administrators and teachers as it takes a 360 degree view of all aspects of what it takes to build great schools. The emphasis he places on the development of a strong culture of teacher’s training is reminiscent of Henry Adam, who said – “ A teacher affects eternity and one can never tell where their influence stops”. 

Applying the ideas in this book will transform how schools can deliver outstanding learning outcomes. I can say this as I have watched Sandeep apply this idea at The Fabindia School over the last 10 years as Chairman of the board.

Sandeep is able to do this successfully as he is a lifelong student. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

William Nanda Bissell

Managing Director Fabindia Ltd.

Photo credit Neha Parmar

The Doon School days and Dev Anand's life!

 DEV SAAB'S DEHRADUN CONNECTION ❤

It was 80 long years ago when a young man of 20 visited the famous Doon School at Dehra Dun to spend time with his elder brother, whom he idolised. The elder brother was a teacher of history, English theatre and tennis at this prestigious institution, which was then just eight years old.

The young man was none other than the renowned actor and star Dev Anand and the brother was Chetan Anand, who became a well-known director of the Hindi film industry. It was the year 1943 and the country was under the British Raj. Chetan Anand worked at the Doon School from 1940 to 1944.

When Dev Anand visited him and stayed with him at the beautiful house provided to him in the sprawling Chandbagh (Garden of the Moon) campus, he was not an actor yet.

He had just ventured out to Bombay after completing English Honours from Government College, Lahore. He was received in Bombay by Chetan, who was there during the school vacation. In his autobiography, Romancing with Life, Dev Anand fondly recalls the times he visited Chetan at the Doon School.

During his visits to the school, Dev came to learn "the manners of a proper Englishman". He writes that Chetan taught him table manners as "he put me amongst the affluent, pick-of-the-upper class students at Doon School, with their spick - and span-manners - breakfasting and dining on tables laid out for them by uniformed khansamas." (Raj Days!)

His fascination with English manners and education can be clearly felt while reading his autobiography.

Dev vividly recounted in his autobiography the "soft hum of conversation flowing around, on Byron and Shelley and Keats". This must have sounded sweet to him as he was a student of English Literature himself, who wished to do his Masters in the subject and then go to England for a foreign education. However, this dream remained unfulfilled as his father could not afford his further education.

Dev hero-worshipped Chetan, who was a tennis player (he had played at Wimbledon), swimmer, appeared for the ICS (now IAS) exams at England and spoke fluent, flawless English. "I had always looked up to my brother. He was a model of everything I admired, handsome, intellectual, fashionable, England-returned, and now teaching in one of the most elite schools of the country," he writes.

Dev remembers from the Dining Table at Doon School are about latest happenings at Lord's and at Wimbledon. While Dev picked up a lot from the young Doscos during the time he spent at the school, he kept learning how to be stylish from his brother too. He would wear his brother's big leather boots, imported from London, as well as his woollen check-shirt, black and maroon, typically English, "both of which I loved to flaunt".

Dev Anand admits that it was Chetan who inspired a style in him. The Doon School and Chetan together taught him many a thing about personality, and with it he evolved his own unique style that he was perhaps known for as much as he was celebrated for his acting. His scarves, ties, caps, hats, mufflers and jackets always gave him a special look, which created an image so different and much ahead of its time from his contemporaries.

The style Dev Sa'ab picked up as a young man stayed with him till the very end. It was a part of the way he dressed, the way he walked and spoke and the way he delivered his dialogues. The anglicised accent that one noticed even when he spoke Hindi was the result of his early fondness for and fixation with English manners - of speech and conducting oneself.

His love for the great English romantic poets, especially John Keats, is evident in one of the passages in his book where he tells us how he saw, on one of his visits to the English countryside, "all that John Keats must have seen in his times... I walked along the paths, imbibing of the nature that had so inspired Keats to go romancing with his pen."

The Doon School days stayed with Dev Anand all his life.

Dev Anand frequently visited Mussoorie as well. His wife Kalpana Kartik, formerly known as Mona Singha, lived near Christchurch in Library Bazaar. Her father was a commissioner of Garhwal and found Mussoorie to his liking. Another reason for Dev Anand’s visit was that his two children, Suniel and daughter Devina, studied in Woodstock School around mid-sixties.

Gopal Bhardwaj, a local historian further said Dev Anand visited them frequently. Later he also bought a house near Char Dukan in the Landour Cantonment Board and gifted it to his daughter Devina who still lives in it with her daughter.

Dev Sahib was fond of vegetarian food and used to walk for several hours watching the panoramic view of the Himalayas along with his children, added Shiv Singh, the caretaker of the house.

Gopal Bhardwaj reminiscing one incident said Dev Anand was so popular that one day a housewife, who was strolling with her litle baby lying in the pram on the Mall Road, lost her senses after seeing him and left the pram which was later caught by some tourists downhill on the Kulri Bazaar road.

According to another resident from Mussoorie Madan Mohan Sharma, Dev Sahib, on his visit to Mussoorie, attended pageant contests that were held during those days. It was in one such pageant contest that he discovered the famous actress, late Nutan, who had won the Miss Mussoorie Contest in 1960s and later cast her in one of the films that became a hit.

Rupali, a resident of Sisters Bazaar, opines that Dev Anand can never die and will live in their hearts as he was the human being who taught others to live with style and finesse and with an optimistic approach.

Courtesy of a WhatsApp forwarded by a close friend and relation Mr Sudarsan Samay Mangalagiri.

Stories, books, blogs, podcasts, and media about the legend are plenty, one book stands out, get hold of it!

Joy Of Learning

 

Joy Of Learning blossomed once I discovered the idea of the Heart Tree, thanks to my Coach and colleague, Venus Upadhayaya.

Life is learning, and learning is life! Every day and every minute counts, and the experiences shape us. Have you ever wondered what this joy of learning is?

Talking about schools, schooling and what goes into making a good school, the rise of liberal arts education, the learning process has to evolve to keep up with the times. Over three decades of working with schools and travelling worldwide to understand how we learn have been my life's key driver for happiness.

After visiting countries from the east to west, including Singapore, Finland and the USA, looking at the way children learn and what makes the joy of learning come alive at schools, I thought it all begins with reading. It is not about print or digital, as the art of reading alone helps children pick up skills for life. They experience values and virtues working with mentors and peers, adding value to the school curriculum.

The 6 C's:  Critical thinking; Creativity; Collaboration; Communication; Character; and Citizenship. When you read, your imagination makes you think; this is step one for any action. Today, with fleeting attention and the lack of retention, we must focus on the mind, consciousness and thought. Our thought must govern our actions, and we are in times of knee-jerk reactions, which leads to a lack of trust and questioning relationships.

How do we move from critical thinking to good Citizenship? The answer lies in spreading the joy of learning and focusing on reading, writing and speaking. You will say this happens at school, and I disagree. Many first-generation schoolgoers, our young people, have yet to have the privilege of listening and learning from family members as in the last century. There is a need for good mentorship and role models. It is not easy to find an adult who will be a voracious reader, our teachers at schools are all from the school systems where they have relied only on rote learning, and the need for reading beyond the text and sharing stories seems alien to most.

With over thirty years of working with schools and focusing more on schooling, my experience reaffirms that we must empower every individual with personal and social development. It is only possible if they experience the joy of learning and are good at reading, writing and speaking. To prepare a child to face the world, we must first read as a family, community, and nation. It is essential to be with a book and delve deeper within. The power of reading will shape our speaking in turn.

Today we must look at reading, writing and speaking as skills for life. Please understand the medium and language; read what you enjoy and with leisure. Reading newspapers and magazines adds to our knowledge of society and gives us information. The application of knowledge is crucial for us to be better educated. Talking about education and learning, we need to grow as a nation of righteous citizens, and this will make India a nation of thinkers and doers.

The New Education Policy focuses on learning beyond needing marks or merit. Happy teachers will alone help transform the education system. The teachers first need to experience the joy of learning - reading, writing and speaking, which will empower them with their personal and social development and help them become the role models we need for our young people. Literacy and numeracy are not the best measures for learning. The passion for reading, writing and speaking should be the way forward.

As an author and a practitioner of experiential learning, reading is necessary and part of my everyday life. Parents and adults request me for the success mantra for children. They even ask for tuition and remedial beyond the school system. My only answer is that every child must read to lead. It begins with the people the child lives with and unconditionally accepts as role models. Anyone who reads will be able to write and speak. They will experience the joy of learning. 

The last few months have been full of literary festivals and book fairs. Seeing young people throng the stalls at literary events has been an absolute pleasure. Speaking with young people and looking at how we publish quality books in our country has given me tremendous hope for the future of reading and the joy within.

"Don't just teach your children to read…Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything". George Carlin

The joy of learning is an extensive and profound learning experience that immerses us in a model of inquiry and problem-based learning. Looking back at the story of India, a civilisation rich with literature and how we learnt for generations, you will find that reading alone is at the core of the joy of learning. Read-aloud sessions begin education and form a narrative for a life full of knowledge.

- Sandeep Dutt focuses on school transformation, emphasising culture as a service. Over 30 years of experience have empowered thousands of teachers and touched the lives of nearly a million children.

Image courtesy Venus Upadhayaya, from her training session at the DBN Schools in Jammu, India.

The Print published this post

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"When I am teaching at my best, I am like a _____."

Learning Forward Academy  

Rani Pritam Kunwar School Moradabad

Joy Of Learning Cohort 2023

Swati Saluja

When I am teaching, I am not me...I feel like a waterfall pouring down her knowledge on her students, who will carry it like rivers in different fields of society...Sometimes I also feel like a Potter who will mould the students according to their capabilities in various forms.

Rashmi R. Wright (class teacher of 1st -D)

I feel like a pilot 👩🏻‍✈️ in the classroom when I am teaching at my best. In control of whether the young passengers arrive at their destination on schedule with the knowledge, they have achieved during the journey, In charge of making adjustments to avoid turbulence, feel Responsible for the safety and well-being of each person placed in their care for the entire trip to make it a successful one. Sometimes I feel like an artist👩🏻‍🎨 too, as it's my passion to make sketches, who take up words and try to create an image with students and try to show the beauty and magic of words; well, while teaching, I try to encourage my students to use their imagination.

Rekha Kapoor (Class teacher of 2nd C)

When teaching at my best, I'm like a Waterfall 🌊, pouring down knowledge and wisdom✨. I find my students to be the rivers🌼 carrying the resources of knowledge and understanding, paving their way through life's challenges.

Ritika Wadhwa  (Class Teacher of 3rd E)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a MOTHER who, while teaching, also teaches about the ethical and moral values which are essential for the students. Moreover,  I take care of them in the prospects of academics and other aspects like How their personal life is going on? Are they going through any issues - emotional challenges etc. 

Shafali Johri (Class teacher - U.K.G. C)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a Gardener. The relationship between my students and me is similar to how it's of a gardener to his/her/garden. So I can nurture all the students like how a gardener nurtures the flowers and the plants, each one more unique than the other, each with its own needs and behaviour. I provide them with the ethics and morals required for positive growth, like how a gardener offers the best quality soil with manure to help the plant grow. And like a gardener who keeps providing water regularly to maintain that healthy growth, I keep providing them with guidance in this beautiful journey where in the end, they'll bloom like a beautiful flower. To summarise, it will be the students, aka plants, that will grow and be able to witness this world and improve it, but I will always be there to help them reach that point.

Sanskriti Tandon (Class Teacher of 3rd D)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a learner who wants to know every student's mental status and accordingly teaches them about individual moral values, which are essential for the students. Moreover, more than an academic mentor, I impart various other aspects of hygiene and etiquette to individual and 

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a learner. In a world with a lot to learn, and do their best for society. As a learner, I will be one with my students and help increase their knowledge.📚 For me, teaching is part of learning. As I am teaching, I am also learning from my learners, as they are diverse. Each learner in the classroom brings his or her unique background and ability. These are the elements that I invest in my teaching. Moreover, I allow learners to be themselves.✨

Rajni Gupta (Class Teacher of 3rd C)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a Mother. A teacher, like a mother, is the most important person in one's life. They are not involved in the academic development of their students, but they also shape the students' character, calibre and future. They make it possible for a child to reach his / her full potential, open their children's minds, spark creativity, motivate them, and make their dreams into reality. 

Swadha Bhardwaj

When teaching at my best, I feel like a goldsmith. While working on each precious piece of the element, a goldsmith keeps honing her/his skills while ensuring that the final product shines the best it can and adds to the grace of those who wear it without compromising the set standards and hallmarks. In the same way, each of my students is special and has different levels of potential and requirements while on his path to leading a fulfilling life, as well as to be able to contribute to every sector of society he/she passes by in his/her own unique and remarkable way. That's what we, as teachers, aim to do. Building up a well-structured and standardized society! 

Kamakshi Sharma

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a Role Model. Teaching is like acting. School is like theatre where you create a bond with your children; you face many ups and downs, new creativities and many more expressions of your children. You act, and children react, and they play with you, learn with you, and feel safe with you, and after some time, they consider you as their Role Model and Inspiration also. 

Asha Singh (Class teacher of U.K.G. B)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like an effective communicator, both in writing and verbally, and I have a solid ability to plan and organize effectively; 

Rebecca John Masih

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a candle because the teacher is that person who makes the minds of their pupils more bright. It means that the teacher gives information that the pupils don't know. And point them the right way in their lives. Every teacher consumes himself to light the way for others.

Manisha Bansal (Class TeacherU.K.G D)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a mother-teacher. Who multiplies and adds happiness and knowledge as a gardener who plants the seeds of learning in every student's life. I want my students to understand through the play-way method to grasp everything quickly and effectively.

Shwetank Singh (Computer Teacher)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a  Friend. With teacher-student friendship, students feel at ease around me and are likelier to come to me with their learning gaps. With friendly nature, I communicate with the children, explain concepts to them more effectively, and understand where they lack. Besides, I feel more comfortable around them, thus making it easier to deliver lessons. A teacher must be like a friend to his/her students because students respond better to friendship than authority. If the students perceive their teacher as a friend, they will never hesitate to express their doubts.

Charu Sharma

I am like a trader who gives her students knowledge and wisdom; in return, she learns new things like creativity, the ability to see things from different perspectives and teamwork. In this manner, we both are in a WIN-WIN situation hence learning something.

Ekta Sharma (Computer)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a Tree. Teachers and trees both play a significant role in nurturing and growing the minds of others. Just like a tree provides nourishment, shelter, and oxygen to the environment around it, I feel the same by providing knowledge, guidance, and support to my students. Trees are deeply rooted in the earth, providing stability by providing my students with a foundation of learning and personal growth. Since trees significantly impact the world and are essential for human beings, my being a teacher makes a positive difference in my students' lives.

Meeta Gulati (Class teacher of L.K.G. - D)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a Mother who, while teaching, also teaches about the ethical and moral values which are essential to the students. Moreover, I take care of them in the prospects of academics and other aspects like How their personal life is going on? Are they going through any issues, emotional challenges etc. 

Beena Singh (Administration, Sanskrit)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like water. As water has no shape and size and adapts, mixes and takes the form of anything that comes it is way, I believe in moulding my students to be like water, whatever may come, through my learning methods. Education is the foundation of our student's future, and through my ideas and experiences, I inculcate the habit of exploring in my students.

Asma (Class teacher of 1st-A )

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a Nation Builder for my students. As a Nation comprises of children way more than adults. The Children are the future, and the teachers are the ones who are getting them ready for their tasks. Also, teaching is the only profession that creates many other works... And for the same, the teachers have to teach the child good communication skills, managerial skills, reading and writing skills and everything which helps them contribute to a better Nation and for a better person. 

Tabinda Jabeen  (Urdu- Class 5th to 8th & Craft- Class U.K.G.)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a RAINBOW 🌈. A rainbow has 7 colours that look beautiful and fill different colours and shades in our lives. Like a rainbow, I supply all the colours of knowledge and education in my students' lives. I try to clear every concept and doubt of my students regarding my subject. I give my best to my students.

Naina Soni

When I teach, I consider all my students as my own children & teach them as a MOTHER. ❤️

Priyanka Ruhela

I am like a passionate teacher whose only aim is to make my kids better human beings and exceptional learners. I always practice empathy and compassion and encourage them to be honest and work hard with complete dedication to become better individuals and learned, creative people.

Bhawna Arora

When I teach at my best, I am like a  guide, guiding my students through different aspects of life. To know them how to enjoy life's beauty, keep moving forward with beautiful memories of their journey, and keep building their character and learning new aspects of life. Teach them to overcome difficulties and head for new goals and destinations. 

Rachna Bisht (Class teacher VI-A)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a Farmer. A farmer works hard to feed the nation, whereas a teacher works hard to build the country. A teacher plants the seeds of knowledge in students' minds that grows forever. He/she extracts the hidden talents of their students to the surface. A teacher holds the tiny finger of the young saplings and feeds them with vital information to walk through the right path. Overall a teacher helps his/her students to grow stronger, happier and more productive.

Ritu Goyal (Class Teacher VIII B)
When I am teaching at my best, I am MYSELF. To further add to the context, I am practical and sensitive both. I encourage my students to do something other than rote learning. I want my students to understand everything they hear, see, and feel because knowledge never leaves you, even when pitch dark. You might need to remember what you have LEARNT, but you can NEVER forget what you have UNDERSTOOD.

Neeru Lathey

I am like a passionate teacher whose only aim is to make my kids better human beings and exceptional learners. I always practice empathy and compassion and encourage them to be honest and work hard with complete dedication to become better individuals and learned, creative people.

Nidhi Narula  (Class 3rd A) 

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a compass pointing students in the right direction to achieve their life goals. I am the guide helping students on their individual learning journeys and navigating them towards happiness.

Rajni Mehra

When teaching at my best, I am like a storyteller, weaving ideas and concepts into a compelling narrative that captivates my students' imagination.

Kulmeet Madan

When I'm teaching at my best, I'm like a gardener. My goal is to help my students grow and succeed in their lives. They are like flowers that bloom tomorrow and are seeds I'm planting today. As a teacher, I plant seeds. I provide them best quality manure in the form of knowledge, ethics and moral values to help them grow well and shape a good character and a pleasant personality by following moral values.

Poonam Mehra ( Class - U.K.G.)

While I'm in class, I feel like a mother; no doubt a mother is a first mentor, but in school, we are the ones who guide them to deal with life, be it in education or moral values. Being a motherly mentor to my students, I not only a guide and support them but also become strict with them when required.

Such behaviour with them helps us learn from students and inculcate the value of education in them.

Evon Anthony (2-D)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a Stockbroker who multiplies and adds happiness and knowledge, subtracts and divides sorrows. When I teach, I am a teacher for my students and a friend who can guide them and understand their needs and wants.

Jyoti Singh

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a learner. As I am teaching, I am also learning from my students, as they are diverse. Each student in the classroom brings his or her unique background and ability. These are the elements that I invest in my teaching. Moreover, I allow my students/learners to be themselves. While teaching, I am more of a mentor and organizer of learning experiences and situations. If my students are happy at the end of the day, so am I. Teaching is all about becoming a bridge that connects my students with their true self/potential and helps them to achieve their aspirations.

Rakhi Gupta (Class -2nd B)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a Painting Artist. A person who creates art using creative imagination and skill. The one who is always ready to experiment. He/she is known to be able to fill a blank canvas with beautiful colours. He/she has the power to convey thoughts and emotions through pieces of art. I see my students as canvases and the knowledge I gathered, as the colour palettes I love to fill their minds and lives to make them better human beings who are always ready to showcase their distinct talents and make the world watch them in awe. Like an artist, I feel proud of all the masterpieces I have drawn or will draw in the future.

Manjit Palit

When teaching at my best, I am like a proud potter moulding raw mud into the best shape. 

Naushaba Sami (Class Teacher VII A)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like an Empath. An empath is a person who understands the feelings and emotions of those around them to a great extent. Being an empath helps me know what my students might feel regarding anything related to academics or otherwise because a teacher is responsible not only for teaching and conveying subject-related concepts but also for the overall development of an individual.

When I empathize with my students and keep myself in their shoes, it helps me infer and guess what problems and queries they might be facing and experiencing while studying a particular topic. I recall the issues I faced as a student, which helped me effectively explain and clear my doubts.

Having said that, I further conclude that to make the teaching-learning process effective, a teacher has to play multiple roles, and he/she has to be a Multitasker and has to possess a combination of different qualities with a perfect balance because in a classroom each child is a separate individual with a distinct personality and additional capabilities. Hence, a teacher has to develop different roles at other times, depending on the need of the hour. So it is tough to pick one attribute; however, I tried my best to highlight and single out one trait, and I hope I did justice to the question.

Asha Mamgain

When I am teaching at my best, I am like an Architect. An architect designs a building, and the strength of the structure depends on how strong the foundation is laid. In a very similar way, as teachers, we mould the foundation years of our students by giving them the proper knowledge, sharing with them the importance of valid values, and guiding them to identify the right and wrong aspects, not just by teaching what is written in the books but also, by sharing with their number of stories to teach and guide them.

Poonam Dubey

While teaching at my best, I am like a mother who finally has learnt how to bring balance to her children's world. It's when I can connect with all my students regarding the key concepts, their relevance and applicability in real-life scenarios. Being a teacher, I am more into seeking what binds together the curious minds of the students in the best available, positive and illustrative ways while building up a wholesome classroom environment. Enabling solutions and guidance towards solutions while keeping an eye for detail directs my whole approach towards teaching. Besides, being a parent myself, I am well-versed in the faith that the parents of those students are keeping in us, so I ensure that I impart values to their budding behaviours and personalities whenever I can. 

Ishpreet Kaur

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a shadow. As our shadow is always with us, just like that, as a teacher, I also accompany my students with their learning and developing stage. I always motivate and encourage them to do their task and become successful in every walk of life. I look upon as a guide, a mentor, and a friend to my students. I also try multiplying and adding happiness and knowledge, subtracting and dividing sorrows.

Natasha Singh  (Class - Nursery)

When I am teaching at my best, I am like a  Mother who feels invigorated and fulfilled. Every day, I make a little effort to improve young lives. When my head hits the pillow at night, I rest assured that I will try to make the world better and more comfortable for my students. Teaching is a life, a calling, not just a job. I see each student as unique, and I realize that his/her gifts are special and deserve to be developed and celebrated. I consider myself lucky because my career gives meaning to my life.

The exercise is adapted from the book 

Courage To Teach by Parker J Palmer

Joy Of Learning (11 Sessions) The teachers collaborate and work in groups to explore the 22 values and discover how the values help in an individual's personal and social development. The Values come alive at their school and enhance learning at the classroom level. Read more

Quality and Love - Welham Boys' School

Quality
1. A student who does a shoddy job with classwork and homework.

Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping a child's future, making him/her a better human being. As a teacher, I have encountered several pupils who struggle to keep up with their classwork and assignments and exhibit poor performance in the classroom. In these situations, it is critical to identify the underlying reasons behind the student's subpar performance. I would address this problem in the following way.

Initially, I would evaluate the student's performance and look for behavioural trends. This would entail assessing their prior grades, present workload, study habits, and other factors influencing their performance.

The second approach would be directly discussing the student's performance with them. It is crucial to approach this discussion without passing judgement and to concentrate on finding answers rather than placing blame. It is critical to pinpoint the main reason behind their subpar performance. This could be brought on by a lack of interest, a problem comprehending the subject matter, or other outside influences

like family or personal problems.

Once the root reason has been determined, it is critical to developing a strategy specific to the student's needs. This can entail offering extra assistance through coaching or mentorship, modifying the workload to fit their learning preferences, or offering rewards for better performance.

Ultimately, it is crucial to constantly assess the student's development and modify the strategy as appropriate. Honouring even modest victories helps keep the learner inspired and on task.

Love

2. Two underage students in a romantic relationship.

Teachers assist pupils with life skills and global knowledge outside of the classroom. They develop a student's personality and also assist kids in coping with difficult situations. As a teacher, it's critical to establish a secure and encouraging learning environment for all children. Here is how I would handle a case if two underage students were involved in a romantic relationship.

Firstly, I would begin by comprehending the school's policy on student relationships. To do this, you must examine the school handbook or chat with other administrators or teachers.

Secondly, to have a private discussion with the two concerned students. This would entail hearing their viewpoint, comprehending their intentions, and ensuring they know the school's relationship policy. By doing this, we can understand their psychological state. We should engage them in activities which would keep them engrossed and help them to focus on their overall development of themselves for which

they come to school.

If required, I would also bring up the subject with the parents of the two students. By doing this, it might be possible to ensure everyone is on the same page and that the student's safety and well-being are prioritised. However, students need help understanding the magnitude of the situation. In that case, we, as guardians, can provide assistance to pupils in the form of emotional support or by referring them to a school counsellor or other outside support resources may be part of this.

Lastly, monitoring is critical to ensure the students are not misbehaving or violating school rules. To make sure that everyone is on the same page and that the youngsters are secure and supported, it can be helpful to regularly check in with the students and their parents.

- Neelima Parmar, Monika Gupta and Vandana Sahay

Welham Boys’ School

Unity and Caring - Welham Boys' School

Unity and Caring amongst students are essential for creating a positive learning environment. When

students feel connected and have a sense of belonging, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their studies. It also promotes empathy and compassion, which can help reduce bullying and other negative behaviours. Encouraging students to work together and support one another can foster a spirit of cooperation and teamwork. This can be achieved through peer mentoring, group projects, and community service. By prioritizing unity and caring, students can develop strong relationships with their peers, feel valued and supported, and ultimately thrive academically.

Exercise: Human Knot

Ask students to stand in a circle and hold hands with two people not standing next to them. Instruct the students to move around and untangle the knot without letting go of each other's hands. Encourage them to communicate with each other, work together, and be patient until the knot is

untangled.

Observations:

a) Initial Responses: At the start of the exercise, some students may feel hesitant or unsure about holding hands with people they don't know well. They may also need help approaching the problem of untangling the knot.

b) Contribution: As the teacher or facilitator, you can provide guidance and encouragement throughout the exercise. You can remind the students to communicate effectively, work together, and stay patient. You can also offer suggestions and help to keep the movement moving along.

c) Impact on Students: The Human Knot exercise can positively impact students in several ways. Firstly, it promotes teamwork and collaboration, as students need to work together to solve problems. It also encourages communication and trust-building, as students must rely on each other to untangle the knot. Finally, the exercise can help to build a sense of unity and caring as students come together to achieve a common goal.

d)Takeaways: Some possible takeaways from the Human Knot exercise include:

The importance of communication and teamwork in achieving a goal.
The value of patience and perseverance in difficult situations.
The benefits of building trust and working together towards a common purpose.
The idea is that unity and caring can be fostered through shared experiences and challenges.

Incident: An incident took place amongst the students that can be seen as a learning or takeaway

from this exercise.

While playing soccer, one kid (let's call him kid 1) kicked the ball a little too hard, and another kid (let's call him kid 2) ended up hurting his arm. Kid 1 took Kid 2 to the hospital, and the arm was fractured. Kid 2's grandparents had come to take him for medical leave, and kid 1, along with some other friends, helped him pack, change and carry all his stuff for him. The grandparents were overwhelmed to see his peers' caring, united and helpful nature.

- Neelima Parmar, Monika Gupta and Vandana Sahay

Welham Boys’ School

Freedom and Peace - Welham Boys' School

When you were a student, what were the three most critical instances wherein you felt that more Freedom at your disposal would have allowed you to realise your goals/ potential in a better way? Do you think any of those circumstances exist even today?

If we think about Freedom, the simple and short answer is, Freedom is from within. Being a student has many advantages. One learns to prepare for life for the greater good of oneself and the nation. The question remains are we really free? Do we have the liberty to act and do as we want?

In my days, we had many restrictions; we never had access to the world; to be precise, we didn't benefit from the Internet. The Internet has set us free to seek knowledge from places we never imagined.

Many places in India needed more infrastructure to have Freedom of movement. Now we can move from one place to another without much hassle.

The explosion of sports in present-day India is phenomenal. Now we have many avenues in sports which have given us limitless Freedom to explore our talent in many ways other than conventional means.

All the above circumstances do not exist in today's world. There is so much Freedom and exposure that we need help understanding where to start.

And finally, let me add one of my favourite quotes by our father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi "Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes."

According to you, what about human behaviour causes people to give up peace and adopt violence? How do you think classrooms can be used to shape peace-loving individuals?

Peace begins with a smile." —Mother Teresa once famously said, and these words describe the goal of humanity as a whole.

Peace is the purpose of life. To attain it, we have to strive to great lengths. Humans, as per se, are animals, so the animal instinct remains within us, within our subconscious. Humans have fought great wars, and millions have succumbed to these wars when in fact, if we look through history, these were senseless acts without any cause or reason; one of the main reasons for violence is hidden within the unconscious, the insatiable desire for the conflict. So, humans are not fighting humans so much as humans are fighting the human condition to wage war for profit.

Education is our only weapon to fight our desire to wage wars. Children must be taught peace is the purpose of our existence. A peaceful classroom is invaluable to both educators and students. It makes it possible for teachers to teach and students to learn.

To create a space and dynamic environment that will have a universal impact. To introduce languages to describe abstract concepts as the greater good. To tell positive stories about students, teachers and the school. These stories are symbolic and influence what students use to define social status. Convey clear rules, expectations and responsibilities for students.

Explicitly teach positive communication strategies to build a repertoire of easily accessible skills. Positive self-talk and learning techniques.

Engage the students in activities that integrate strategies and develop peaceful habits of mind. Deep breathing is an easily accessible but often overlooked strategy for anxiety prevention, conflict resolution and self-regulation. Use role plays to practice peace-making skills. Hold regular class meetings, circles and other opportunities for students to participate and provide input.

As our father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, the true warrior of peace, "A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes." Keeping in mind his teaching, students must be taught how to work for peace and thus work towards the purpose of life.

- Neelima Parmar, Monika Gupta and Vandana Sahay

Welham Boys’ School

Thoughtfulness and Understanding - Welham Boys' School

A. An important component of thoughtfulness is showing concern. Elaborate on 3 tools you would like to use in your classroom to inculcate thoughtfulness about the right things among your students. 

I want to use the following three tools in my classroom to inculcate thoughtfulness about the right things among my students:

1. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: It has been demonstrated that practising mindfulness and deep breathing techniques help to lower stress, improve focus, and improve wellness in general. I aim to teach students how to control their emotions, be present at the moment, and create empathy for others. I do this by adding mindful breathing techniques. For instance, to assist the class in relaxing and tuning into their thoughts and feelings before a lesson or activity, I could lead them through a 3–5-minute breathing exercise.
2. Keep a thankfulness journal: Studies have shown that practising appreciation boosts good feelings, lowers stress, and enhances mental health. I want to include gratitude journaling to inspire kids to pay attention to the good things in their lives and develop empathy for others. Students could list three things they are glad for each day, share them with a partner, and talk about the qualities they value in one another.
3. Experiential Learning: Real-world examples can be used by teachers to assist their students in comprehending how their actions can affect others and the environment. They can demonstrate the adverse effects of careless behaviour and the advantages of being mindful via news articles, films, and case studies.

B. To understand the world around you, you need to develop empathy. Give examples of specific activities/exercises you'd like to conduct in your classroom to inculcate empathy among your students.

I would conduct the following activities/exercises in my classroom to foster empathy among my students:

1. Storytelling: Sharing personal narratives or experiences is a great technique to foster empathy and understanding for other people. Students may have a greater sense of empathy for others by being encouraged to tell their own stories and listen to those of their peers. For example, I would ask students to describe when they faced a problem or overcame a challenge.
2. One-Act Play: During one-act play, students can experience what it could be like to be in another person's shoes and be in a new position or have a different point of view. Students can start to gain a more profound knowledge of other people's thoughts, feelings, and experiences by participating in role-playing activities. For example, I might have them act out various situations like peer mediation, conflict resolution, or exercises to develop empathy.
3. Social Service Projects: Students get to learn about many cultures, viewpoints, and experiences by participating in social service initiatives. Students can learn empathy for others and a more profound knowledge of their community's problems and difficulties by participating in service projects.

- Neelima Parmar, Monika Gupta and Vandana Sahay

Welham Boys’ School

Humility and Appreciation - Welham Boys's School

Humility begins with accepting who we are and what makes us human. As a result, you gain control over your attitude and outlook.

Appreciation is giving something or someone their proper value, and everybody has value.

We practice Humility and Appreciate in our day-to-day lives unknowingly. Consciously, there have been instances where I have tried to incorporate these virtues in the classroom.

One evening, I heard my students crying in the hostel. I was curious to know what had happened that led them to be so upset. So, I asked a few questions and discovered that it was one of the student’s birthdays, and these kids were sent back from the ceremony due to the shortage of cake pieces. So, I decided to discuss it in the classroom the following day. It was essential to address this issue.

As I walked into the class, I wished that student “happy birthday” and asked why I wasn’t invited to the cake-cutting ceremony. That’s when a few other students got up from their seats and said since there was a small cake, even they were uninvited after being invited. As soon as I learned that, I spoke to the birthday boy and explained the importance of a guest and that they should be treated respectfully. 

One should never be uninvited once invited. The student nodded and learnt a new life lesson as he said he felt terrible about doing it. Suddenly, another student got up from his chair, recalling when one of his classmates had given his share of the cake to him when there was a shortage of another piece. I made the whole class stand up and clap for the kid, making a point to appreciate him for the hidden virtue of humility. 

These two incidents strongly impacted the kids and taught them humility and appreciation. This completely changed the perspective of that student whose complaints had no limits. He was one of the naughtiest, most mischievous and troublesome kids. I took away a lesson of never judging a book by its cover. This accurately shows humility, appreciation, and how unnoticeable these virtues are.

- Neelima Parmar, Monika Gupta and Vandana Sahay

Welham Boys’ School