Believe in your ability to bring change
In the book “Is Your Child Ready to Face the World?” by Dr. Anupam Sibal, I read a chapter – "Be the change". I decided to apply this adage in my classroom. Young minds are impressionable and easy to mould. And if they're shown the right direction at the time, it can go a long way in ensuring that they lead fulfilling lives.
Most of the children in my school belong to rural areas. As a result, they mostly converse in the local language - Marwari. In such circumstances, it is difficult to teach them in English. There are some who can grasp and learn quickly, while there are others who do not even respond. I have tried displaying charts, words, pictures, stories on the classroom walls. I have put up names of objects on these pictures so that they see these things all the time and try to catch the words. Sometimes I even visit their parents and encourage them to speak with their children in Hindi and English. These efforts have helped in bringing about some positive changes.
Now, my entire class, and especially the slow learners, have started using English words. They also try hard to frame sentences in English. They can write small words in both Hindi and English. I feel happy and satisfied when they interact using both the languages with their friends and teachers.
I face this situation every year, with new admissions and a new class. But I have faith and confidence in our ability as humans to bring change, provided we keep trying. If we have will power and dedication towards it, we can change anything.
Effecting change with a positive attitude, patience and determination is the hallmark of a good teacher. And as teachers, we must never stop believing in our ability to be change-makers.
~ Usha Panwar is an Educator at The Fabindia School. Her email address is upr4fab@gmail.com