Masterclass Saturday 21st December 2024

 Chapter 6, "Beyond the Classroom", from Shomie Das - The Man Who Saw Tomorrow by Naga Tummala:

Reflection Questions:

1. Core Values in Education:
   How does Shomie Das emphasize the importance of values beyond academic Learning? Can you identify moments where values learned outside the classroom shaped your character?

2. Holistic Development:
   What strategies did Shomie Das implement to ensure students were learning life skills and developing emotional intelligence? How can schools today incorporate similar initiatives?

3. Role of Teachers:
   According to this chapter, how does the role of a teacher extend beyond delivering curriculum? Reflect on a teacher or mentor who impacted your personal growth outside academics.

4. Leadership and Vision:
   What aspects of Shomie Das's leadership style allowed him to redefine education beyond traditional methods? How does this inspire you in your own leadership roles or aspirations?

5. Diversity in Learning:
   How does the concept of learning "beyond the classroom" address students' diverse needs and strengths? Share an example where experiential Learning or extracurricular activities enriched your understanding of a subject.

6. Challenges and Adaptations:
   What challenges did Shomie Das face while promoting unconventional learning approaches? Reflect on how schools or individuals can overcome resistance to change in education systems.

7. Community Building:
   The chapter highlights the importance of creating a strong school community. How do you think this affects students' lifelong connections and personal development?

8. Future of Education:
   How does Shomie Das's vision for education "beyond the classroom" resonate with the skills needed for the 21st century? What changes would you suggest in modern education to align with this vision?

These questions aim to encourage deeper thinking about the themes of holistic education and the broader role of educators, as highlighted in this chapter.

Next week - Chapter 7: A Legend and a Legacy

I am looking forward to seeing your thoughtful reflections!      

Email your reflections to mk@learningforward.org.in.

The Teacher's Academy (12/21/2024)

Quick recap

The meeting focused on the importance of teachers, pastoral care, and community involvement in education, with discussions on the role of teachers as spiritual messiahs, the need for proper training and sensitization, and the significance of individual attention and care for children. The importance of character building, learning through experiences, and believing in the potential of children were also emphasized. Lastly, the conversation ended with a discussion on the last chapter read, sharing thoughts in the Teachers Academy Whatsapp community and the importance of accepting content from every individual without correction or marking.

Next steps

• Manisha will share the Hindi session link with the group on January 8th, 2025.

• Teachers are to write reflections on the chapter discussed in the Teachers Academy WhatsApp group or on happyteacher.in.

• Teachers should consider joining the Sunday School sessions if they cannot attend Saturday masterclasses.

• Teachers will encourage others to join the Hindi sessions for the Arthur Food Academy project.

• Teachers should explore and utilize the Good School Alliance website resources, including diljito.com and youth.org.

Summary

System Reset and Shomie's Struggles

In the meeting, Sandeep led the discussion and welcomed the attendees. He mentioned that it was the second-to-last session before completing the book. Sandeep checked if everyone could hear clearly and invited thoughts on the previous session's topic of "system reset." He highlighted that the chapter beautifully explained how Shomie struggled, requiring a system reset. The participants did not share additional thoughts, and Sandeep started reading the next chapter.

Teacher Training and Mental Health

The discussion revolved around the importance of teachers in the education system, particularly in government schools. The speaker emphasized the need for proper training and sensitization of teachers to become agents of change. They also highlighted the significance of psychologists in schools to address the mental health of children and prevent bullying. The speaker suggested that teachers can be valuable in handling such situations rather than solely relying on counsellors. The importance of individual attention and care for children was also stressed, with the speaker citing the example of residential schools where teachers and their families can provide more time and attention to students.

Pastoral Care in Schools Discussed

In the meeting, Sandeep discussed the importance of pastoral care in schools, drawing on the example of Captain Rohit Bajaj, a former student who became a teacher and principal. Learning emphasized the role of teachers as spiritual messiahs, not just educators, and the significance of observation and atmosphere in Learning. The discussion also touched on the limitations of schools in providing professional counselling services and the need for a paradigm shift towards spirituality in education.

Embracing Differences in Classroom Learning

The discussion revolved around acknowledging and working with differences in the classroom. The speaker emphasized the need for teachers to be trained to recognize, appreciate, and work with these differences, suggesting that this could be achieved through living by example and using child-centred education delivery. The speaker also mentioned a book called "Productive Failure" by Manu Kapoor, which they found insightful. Additionally, the speaker announced a new initiative of adding an entire 90-minute session once a month for schools that need Hindi and mentioned that the next session would be live from the studio. The chapter focused on sensitization and training, and the speaker encouraged going beyond the traditional blackboard or whiteboard approach to reach the heart of learning for every individual.

Shomie's Reflections on Education and Trust

Shomie reminisced about his teacher, Jack Gibson, and his journey from being a student to becoming the principal of Mayo College. He shared a humorous anecdote about a gardener recognizing him from his time at Dune. Shomie also discussed the influence of Kurt Hunt's philosophy on his outlook on education, emphasizing the importance of character-building, honour, and trust. Gurdeep agreed with Shomie's points, stressing the importance of trust in all relationships. The discussion ended with Shomi asking if anyone had experienced a situation where trust changed the game, but no one responded.

Community Involvement in Education Discussed

Sandeep discussed the importance of community involvement in education, citing the example of Khan's emphasis on community membership and obligation. He highlighted the role of community in fostering a sense of service and well-being and the need for teachers to create a positive learning environment. He also shared insights from Shomie's approach to education, emphasizing the importance of community service and the treatment of students from diverse backgrounds. Sandeep mentioned the EWS process and RTE Act as game changers and discussed the creativity, activity, and service (CAS) program inherent in the IB curriculum. Lastly, she introduced the idea of a retreat where students can engage in community service, outdoor activities, and risk tolerance.

Teaching Methods and Student Management

Sandeep discussed various teaching methods and managing students, emphasizing the importance of trust, responsibility, and risk-taking. He shared personal anecdotes about assigning tasks as punishments and giving senior students responsibilities, which he found effective in maintaining discipline and fostering growth. He also highlighted the importance of taking children out of the classroom for holistic development and cross-cultural appreciation. The discussion concluded with a reflection on risk-taking and its role in teaching and personal growth.

Character Building Through Experiences

The discussion revolved around the importance of character-building and learning through experiences. The speaker shared anecdotes about the late Shomie, who strongly advocated character building and implemented various initiatives such as setting up an ambulance service and training students for fire services and mountain climbing. These experiences were meant to teach children to be alert and help others in need. The speaker also highlighted the importance of these experiences in shaping the character of individuals, using examples such as a rescue mission during a flood and a severe blizzard. The speaker concluded by emphasizing that character-building takes a back seat in today's world, where academic results are prioritized over personal development.

Believing in Children's Potential and Engagement

In the meeting, Sandeep emphasized the importance of believing in the potential of children and their future. He encouraged active participation and engagement in the sessions. He also highlighted The Teachers Academy, a platform where teachers express themselves and share their experiences. He mentioned a session with Arthur Foot Academy, a joy of giving project, and encouraged others to join. He also discussed the upcoming session on the 8th or 9th of January, which will be telecasted live. Gurdeep shared his thoughts on the need for dedicated and passionate teachers and the role of entrepreneurs in balancing business and educational motives.

Teachers Academy Content Sharing and Reflections

The conversation ended with a discussion on the last chapter read and the sharing of thoughts in the Teachers Academy Whatsapp community. The team also discussed hosting various content types, including videos, PDF files, sketches, voice notes, and texts. Accepting content from every individual without correction or marking was emphasized. The team also discussed the Sunday School and the option for those unable to attend on Saturday to join on Sunday. The conversation ended with a big thank you to Gurdeep and Manisha and a special thank you to over 50 people who joined the session. The meeting was available on the YouTube channel, and the team encouraged sharing reflections on social media.

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