Reflective Teaching and Relationship Building

Learning Forward Saturday

To define the qualities of an ideal teacher and assign a creative reflection task.

Key Takeaways

• The Task: Create a teacher-hiring ad based on the unconventional one in Wanted Back-bencher & Last-ranker Teacher. The ad must reflect your personal qualities and include a graphic.

• The Goal: Shift from passive “note-taking” (session summaries) to active “reflection” (personal application and insight), which is the core of the 3R methodology (Reading, Reflection, Relationships).

• The Deadline: Submit ads to Manisha via email by February 28. The goal is 50 blog submissions.

• The Rationale: This exercise directly supports the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2022’s focus on application-based learning, ensuring teachers remain relevant in a changing educational landscape.

Topics

The Problem: Passive Engagement

• The 3R methodology (Reading, Reflection, Relationships) was not being fully utilised.

• Most “reflections” were passive session summaries (“note-taking”), not deep personal application.

• This contrasts with the deeper reflections from special projects like Arthur Foot Academy and Sunbeam Grameen School.

• Why it matters: The program’s purpose is to help teachers improve, not just deliver content. This requires active engagement.

The Solution: Active Reflection

• The session clarified the difference between note-taking and reflection.

  • Note-taking: Recording facts and concepts.

  • Reflection: Processing, interpreting, and applying knowledge to one’s own practice.

• A strong reflection example from Sunita Tripathi was shared, demonstrating the desired depth by connecting session insights to personal teaching methods.

• Why it matters: This shift is critical for implementing the NCF 2022, which emphasises application-based learning. Teachers must model this to avoid redundancy.

The Application: Hiring the Ideal Teacher

• The discussion centred on the unconventional teacher ad from “Wanted Back-bencher & Last-tanker Teacher,” which sought qualities such as “superior adaptability,” “guts,” and a “shock-proof temperament.”

• Why it matters: This ad provides a concrete example of thinking beyond traditional CVs to hire for character and relational skills, which the book’s protagonist, Roma, exemplifies.

Next Steps

• All Participants:

  • Draft a teacher-hiring ad highlighting your personal qualities.

  • Include ad text and a graphic (use AI or other tools if needed).

  • Email the ad to Manisha by February 28.

• Sandeep & Brinda:

  • Review submitted ads in the next session to close out the month’s theme.

  • Prepare for March’s theme, which will cover the new teacher’s first classroom experience.