When you remember your school and college days, what do you recall the most? I am sure you must be remembering some of those great teachers for their delightful classes, some for their sense of humor, and some for their craft, for their methodology of teaching and for their compassion and many more virtues of theirs.

Can we forget names of our teachers, can we forget their personalities? No, we cannot for a simple fact that they are an element of our life like our parents and siblings are. I think we all literally characterize the subjects with some good teachers we had; Maths, Language, History, Geography, Science, Civics, Drawing, Craft, Physical Training – all of these and many more in later years. A competent teacher has the enchantment – he/she can make the class fall in love with a subject. What students take away from a school/college usually centers on teachers who can instill passion and inspiration for the subjects! It’s difficult to measure success, and in the world of academia, educators are magicians who continually find new methods, new techniques, of re-evaluating how to quantify learning.

Teaching as a process is so interwoven and complex, that it is difficult to be explained.  It has three important sources. First and foremost, each subject taught is as large and complex as life, therefore the familiarity of the subject is always flawed and partial. No matter how a teacher devotes himself/herself to reading and research, teaching requires a command of content that always evades some student’s grasp. Second, the students themselves are larger than life and even more complex. To understand them, their capacity as learners and their queries and respond to them wisely in the moment, requires a fusion of Einstein, Freud and Edison! A teacher achieves this with lots of hard work. Let’s not undermine their commitment and their craft; like we mature as students they also mature as teachers. They need time. It takes few years for them to grasp the teaching-learning process and techniques.

Third, if students and subjects account for all the complexities of teaching, the teachers have to literally be on their toes to keep up with the class which often consists of some bright, extraordinary, some average and some laggards. Isn’t it challenging for a teacher to keep pace with variety of students? Some are mischievous, some are feeble, some are fighters, and some are sensitive – the teacher knows it all. He/she learns enough techniques to stay ahead of the student psyche. But there is another reason for these complexities – friends they teach us the way they are. After all, they are not robots, they are human like us. Like all of us even they have their whims and fancies.

Teaching is a truly human activity. Everybody cannot teach; it emerges from one’s inwardness, for better or worse. In my opinion a teacher projects his/her inner personality, their soul onto their students. In their interaction with the class which is usually very short in schools (a class is conducted for 30-45 minutes) they mold the young and supple hearts. They try to correct the thinking of the children, their character, their spirit and their disposition as citizen of a nation. The teachers give the world entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, and chartered accountants, CEOs, Prime Ministers and Presidents! They grow with their students.

Successful teachers have clear objectives. They have a sense of purpose; they see a big picture because they have a full class before them. Every child is unique, the teacher looks at the topic from every child’s point of view. A teacher who doesn’t listen to students fails and one who always listens to students will ultimately fail. It is no simple endeavor to know when to listen and when not to listen. Unconstructive energy zaps creativity and it makes a nice breeding ground for fear of failure. Good teachers have an upbeat mood, a sense of vitality and energy; they see past passing setbacks to the end goal. Positivity breeds creativity. Remember, they always want their students to succeed.

Humor and wit enlightens the class; it reduces stress and frustration, and gives students a chance to look at their circumstances from another point of view. All of us remember humorous teachers don’t we?

In order to avoid becoming the stuck and stubborn teacher, good educators take time to reflect on their methods, their delivery, and the way they connect with their students. Reflection is necessary to resolve some awkward issues in class rooms. Good teachers always give emotional support to their students. They understand that learning does not happen in a vacuum. Depression, anxiety, and mental stress have a severe impact on the educational process. A good teacher takes the whole person into account. When a child is suffering trauma in his life, the teacher reaches out with all might. And that’s a true teacher.

Friends, teacher’s job are not an easy job.  Most often their roles are undermined by cruel world. Their vacations, their pay scales are always discussed without understanding their responsibility –all of these ignorant and annoying comments just go to show that people who aren’t in education simply can’t understand all of the work that goes into being a classroom teacher. Teaching is simultaneously instilling in a child the belief that he can accomplish anything he wants while reprimanding him for producing shoddy work.

I can’t resist giving example of an ever beautifully made movie on teachers “To Sir with Love” in 1967 which stars Sidney Poitier as Mark Thackeray, an engineer who takes a temporary teaching job. The kids are rough, arrogant and uninterested in school, and ignorant to the possibility that they could become more than they are. The gentlemanly Mr. Thackeray, called “Sir” by his students, is as much a culture shock to them as they are to him.

To Sir, with Love is like a time capsule of the late 1960s: Sentimental optimism contrasts with the grittiness of poverty, illiteracy, teenage rebellion, and rapid social change. There is a sense that Mr. Thackeray’s class is staggering wildly toward dead-end or delinquent adulthood, and he has a few short weeks to reach at least some of his students before they are lost. His greatest asset as a teacher, though, has nothing to do with cutting-edge curriculum or teaching “best practices.”

It is culture. “Sir” is a living example of another world which his students could choose to enter, if only they could see themselves in it. Through him they experience, for the first time, what it is to have dignity. As the teenagers begin to awaken to their own self-worth, they start to grasp why people have manners, respect others, and behave in ways that draw respect in turn. They take interest in the written word and the process of intellectual inquiry. This movie shows how education is more than transmission of facts; it’s an invitation to explore the world of the soul, of human creative capacity, and of the physical universe. It shows when the right adult (teacher) comes in a misguided teenager’s life at the right time how things fall in the right place.  Please do watch this movie to understand a teacher.

Today I salute my all teachers from the core of my heart; for they made me what I am today. I am indebted to all of them. They truly have transformed my life.

]]> https://drvidyahattangadi.com/a-big-salute-all-our-teachers/feed/ 0 https://drvidyahattangadi.com/where-in-the-world-teachers-are-most-respected/ https://drvidyahattangadi.com/where-in-the-world-teachers-are-most-respected/#respond Mon, 09 Sep 2019 01:01:55 +0000 http://drvidyahattangadi.com/?p=5778

The Varkey Foundation, which was initially known as the Varkey GEMS Foundation, is a global charitable organization focused on improving the standards of education for neglected children. It was formed in 2010 by Indian businessman Sunny Varkey, the founder and chairman of GEMS Education. It’s worth noting that GEMS Education is the world’s largest operator of kindergarten-to-grade-12 schools. The foundation’s main focus is on improving globally teacher capacity for training tens of thousands of teachers and principals in developing countries; also, providing access to education via a variety of programmes and projects. The foundation conducts research which helps to develop education policies worldwide.

For conducting research the Varkey Foundation has partnered with major global organizations such as UNESCO, UNICEF and Clinton Global Initiatives. In 2013 it launched the Global Education and Skills Forum, an annual education summit dedicated to addressing the world’s educational needs. After analyzing the public status of teachers worldwide, in 2014 it launched the annual Global Teacher Prize, a $1 million award to an outstanding pioneering teacher who has had an extensive impact on students.

Teaching as a process is so interwoven and complex, that it is difficult to be explained.  It has three important sources. First and foremost, each subject taught is as large and complex as life, therefore mastering the subject is a continuous process; no matter how a teacher devotes himself/herself to reading and researching, teaching requires a command of content that always evades some student’s grasp. The students themselves are larger than life and even more complex. Teaching is not all that simple. Imagine world without teachers. And, does the world respect the teacher’s role in society? Where in the world are teachers most respected?

According to the 2018 Global Teacher Status Index, the countries that most respect their teachers are China, Malaysia and Taiwan; followed by Russia and Indonesia. Teachers in these countries are found to be highly respected and well-regarded. The teachers are paid handsomely in China and Malaysia. Other Asian countries in the top 10 list are Indonesia at number five, South Korea at number six, India at number eight, and Singapore at number ten.

In China, the survey found that 81 percent of people believed that pupils respect their teachers, compared with the international average of 36 percent. Respecting teachers and valuing education has been a fundamental social standard in China. Teaching is regarded as a noble profession as two old sayings go, “A teacher is supposed to impart knowledge, lead career development and resolve confusions and questions for students” and “A teacher for a day, a mentor for life.” There are more than 16 million full-time teachers in China that support the largest education system in the world, including 2.4 million for pre-primary education, 5.9 million for primary schools, 3.5 million for lower secondary schools, 1.8 million for upper secondary education, and 1.6 million for academic universities and colleges. The figure has been increasing on an annual basis.

It is worth noting here that the Chinese Government believes in scientific academic practices. The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as the Shanghai Ranking, is a publication that was originated and compiled by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University to rank universities globally. This ranking has been conducted since 2003. It is conducted annually on well-thought and strategic parameters. The results are published by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy. This is one of its kind ranking. The Chinese Government backed this ranking to provide a global benchmark against the various universities in China; this practice has helped them assess their academic progress. The aim of the ARWU is for Chinese universities to do some hardcore and path breaking research in the area of higher education.

It is found that Malaysian teachers love their jobs and are among the most dedicated in the world for ensuring that their students excel academically. Germany is another country where teachers get paid handsomely. A feature of working as a teacher in Germany is, that all teachers should know and teach at least 2 subjects, as a rule. The best option would be if the specialist studied 2 subjects, for example Biology and Chemistry, as well as the methods of teaching them or pedagogy. A well informed and established gets the Government recognized diploma in Germany.

Teachers have the lowest social status in Argentina, Ghana, Brazil, the Czech Republic, and Italy. You will be surprised to note that In the U.S., Brazil, France, and Turkey, teachers are most often compared to librarians. In Greece, Egypt, Switzerland, and many other countries, teachers are seen as most like social workers.

The world requires good teachers to re-awaken the slumped and spoilt younger generation. In a way they have lost direction in life. The impact teachers have on student learning is greater than other factors that often govern public debate, such as class size, technology, individualized instruction, infrastructure, streaming by ability, marking system, changing school calendars or timetables etc. The pace of learning varies from student to student and this is understood by a good teacher. Too many talented teachers have left their careers for lack of respect. There is scarcity of good teachers in the world of education. Character building is foundation for building a nation, and this can be done only by teachers.

Today is a very auspicious day – its Ganesh Chaturthi plus Teacher’s day! Lord Ganesha is considered as God of knowledge. His elephant head symbolizes the immense wisdom and perfection. Wisdom is something that comes out of independent thinking and reflection, education adds it in our life. Therefore, teachers are very important in our life. Lord Ganesh’s large ears symbolizes that one needs to be a good listener, when you are with a teacher, listen with attention. There is so much to learn from each teacher. Wise people are always open to hearing fresh ideas and opinions. In other words, the wise are those who always keep an open mind. Good teachers don’t teach us detailed syllabus, but they help us grow as people. They make us responsible by imparting some of life’s most important lessons.

Like other professions, even teachers evolve and mature in their profession. I am also a teacher and I wish to share some of my thoughts. Teaching as a process is entwined and complex. It is very difficult to be explain. The rapid changes and increased complexity of today’s world present new challenges and put new demands on our education system. The teachers therefore need a lot of preparation to change and improve the students for productive functioning in the continually changing and highly demanding environment. A teacher gets mischievous, restive, serious learner intelligent, sensitive, and agitated all sorts of students, and while she shapes their personalities, they also shape the teacher’s identity.

The fact is that each subject taught is as large and complex as life, therefore the familiarity of the subject is always flawed and partial. No matter how a teacher devotes himself/herself to reading and research, teaching requires a command of content that always evades some student’s grasp.  Some of the students themselves are larger than life and even more complex. To understand them, their capacity as learners and their questions and to respond them wisely in the moment, requires a fusion of Einstein, Freud and Edison! A teacher achieves this with lots of hard work. It is sad but the society undermines their commitment and their craft. Let me tell you, it takes few years for the teacher to mature in his/her profession. It takes few seasons for them to grasp the teaching-learning process and techniques.

Lord Ganesha’s head is the elephant trunk. This trunk depicts a dominant intellect that arises out of wisdom. Our intellect is of two kinds, gross and subtle. The gross intellect is used to discriminate between pairs of opposites in the world; black and white, hard and soft, easy and difficult. The subtle intellect, on the other hand, discriminates between right and wrong; permanent and impermanent which means the conscience. A teacher along with students discovers uncharted and unknown knowledge in the classroom. The teacher challenges the student’s inquisition at times with lenience and at times with dominance. The teacher refines thinking of her class, by discussing the facts and the teacher also has unique characteristics, and her life’s experience.

Ganesha’s pot belly depicts space; it is big in size to hold all wisdom and all life. Education endures our strength to tolerate and ride over all the good and bad in life. The life’s experiences prepare us to become perfect. A man of perfection must have the capacity to stomach peacefully all the experiences. Teachers refine their students; all of the crudeness, bluntness, anxiety and garishness slowly vanish because of their punishments and chiding. Efficient and Strict teachers enrich their students with etiquettes, kindness, courteousness, considerateness and politeness.

Ganesha’s four arms represent the four main divisions of human consciousness: mind, intellect, ego and the emotions. His four arms also depict the four directions. Teachers prepares their students to become independent; they them sensibly and intervene only when necessary. The educational institution is a place of social learning. Throughout the academic learning, various teachers that we come across, teach us to take independent decisions. Each teacher tells her students that they need to control their own destiny. All choices whether good, bad and the ugly are very individual. A change can never be predicted or pre-determined. Seasoned teachers help their students in understanding their potential. We get all types of teachers – strict, friendly, firm, unassuming etc. It may sound as cliché, but the fact is that teachers never stop teaching.

Life is all about the joys and sorrows, victories and failures, brightness and darkness life is full of contrasts.  The transition of opposites in life is indicated beautifully by Lord Ganesha’s two tusks, one is broken and one is complete. We need to rise in life to practice and experience the challenges that life throws at us. The examinations throughout our journey as students teach us to take dissimilarities with a pinch of salt. The strict teachers will always set a tough examination paper because they want to prepare their students for tough situations.

A teacher does not like a lifeless classroom session. However tough might be the topic, the teacher tries her level best to make the topic interesting. Let me tell you, as teachers we don’t like disordered and confused classrooms.  In such classrooms we feel powerless and to claim we are teachers seems an obvious sham. We are not Gods, our knowledge is also flawed and partial to some extent. No matter how much ever we devote ourselves to reading and research, teaching requires a command of content that always eludes our grasp because of constant changes happening around us. To understand each student’s personal pathology is just not possible. A decade and a half teaching experience has taught me that teaching is like mastering an occult art.  I have also learnt that there is no definition of a ‘perfect teacher’ or a ‘perfect student’. Everybody has strengths and weaknesses. A good teacher learns to capitalize on her student’s strength and compensate for weakness. And very importantly, a good teacher recognizes that perfection is the enemy of the good!

Lord Ganesha is worshipped for prosperity and success. He removes the obstacles of both material and spiritual kinds. Similarly, gritty teachers have passion and perseverance to help their students reach long-term goals, by helping them cross the obstacles.

A VERY HAPPY GANSH CHATURTHI AND HAPPY TEACHER’S DAY TO ALL!!!

The foundation of pedagogical content is the combination of both knowledge and pedagogy. The teaching sessions become boring if a teacher simply talks the ins and outs of a topic/subject. For example, an Economics teacher has to know exactly how to get the concepts across to students with practical examples and implementation rather than just discussing the definitions and referral points in the class room which are taken from a text book/Internet. The teacher must make efforts to make students to learn about positive reinforcement. Teachers cannot go further than their own knowledge of the subject based on their own understanding. And, students understand the good, better best, fair and poor teaching. They cannot be fooled for long. A good class room session consists of one or more pedagogical tools used by a teacher. Good sessions are always memorable. The pedagogical tools are therefore very important.

A seasoned teacher has a good understanding of where students are coming from in reference to the subject being taught. In order to teach a topic well, teachers have to know what the students bring to the table as far as prior ideas, feelings, experience and strategies. For example, many students tend to have personal thoughts about math word problems. A math teacher with pedagogical content knowledge would address each of these prior conceptions and show why each one is inaccurate. The teacher would help the students understand how to break down word problems to make them clearer and see them from a different perspective; after all the learning curve changes in each class room.

In every teacher’s career comes a time when the teacher needs to evaluate the amount of learning taken place in his/her class and its effectiveness. I think one of the best tools for measuring the efficacy is quizzes. There is no elaborate definition of quiz; but, it helps a teacher in gathering information whether learning objectives are met or not. Quizzes help students individually to increase their knowledge they may already know on a certain topic. They also help them to know whether certain topic is helpful in the future.  A quiz can be effectively be used from KG to PG at all levels of education.

Before using a quiz, teachers must determine what objectives need to be met. The primary function of the quiz is to evaluate student learning in relation to the teachers instructional methods. Teachers must analyze the results of the quiz and shows statistics and reports about those results. A well designed quiz will help motivate your students, highlighting the subject areas and skill-sets in which they are particularly strong, while pointing out those in which they would benefit by spending more time.

Teachers must be sure that quizzes are developed around content-related questions.
What you get out of your quizzes is determined by the content-related questions asked. If you want to find out how well students have mastered the concept; relate or ask questions pertaining to the concept only. Make sure to always keep simple questions in your quizzes.

As a teacher, your teaching efficacy is shown in the result of the quiz. Did your students pass or fail the quiz? That answer alone will measure student understanding and your teaching effectiveness, and allow you to see where you stand. By looking at the questions which your students answered incorrectly you can determine where there might have been a gap in instruction, or where students became confused. The students must be informed in advance to read up particular subject material in details before they take a quiz. They do not bother much about reading or learning usually. Quizzing keeps them busy with their studies because they get evaluated and they benefit from the feedback that tells them what aspects of their learning are incorrect. Most important thing about quizzes is that they should be treated as an interactive exercise rather than an evaluation. In addition to reducing the anxiety associated with evaluation, this encourages students to use the quizzes as an index of what they need to study.

As a teacher, I have used quizzes maximum because I have seen students can master the material. There should be session followed by the quiz where both teacher and students can talk on various issues/topics asked in the quiz. Preferably, for each question answered incorrectly, feedback should include information on where to turn to find the correct answer.

Item selection should be randomized to make it harder for students to cheat. If every student sees the same quiz items in the same order, students will compare notes and prepare answers to the questions rather than understanding the material. For the same reasons, there should be several different versions of each quiz item.

Quizzes should be due frequently. In keeping with the idea that accumulated practice is less effective than spacing learning throughout the semester, quizzes should be due on a regular basis, say once a week. The number of questions that should appear on a quiz should be based on what the course instructors consider to be appropriate for the class.

When using multiple-choice questions, wherever possible the order of the answers should be scrambled. This makes it harder for students to focus on the answer order and tends to focus them on what the correct answer is. Essay questions may be appropriate for quizzing but should be used sparingly, if only because of the time and effort required to grade them.

Use quizzes for a positive fortification in the classroom.