Good Schools of India #51

Good Schools of India by Sandeep Dutt

Joy of Learning Weekly #51

Read on Substack

The Way and Awakening

Personal and social development for every individual.

Our Programs and how to start?

1. My Good School on Sundays is open to middle school students and teachers of GSA Member Schools #MyGoodSchool. Schools and partners who join the Good Schools Alliance get open access to My Good School.
2. Learning Forward Saturday is for GSA Member schools that sign up and is open to the Whole Faculty Study Group - all teachers of the Member School are most welcome #HappyTeachers.
3. Masterclass on Saturday is for individuals and is limited to 25 passionate educators.
4. Friday @ EBD is free and Open To All, appreciation of literature, art and culture #JoyOfGiving.
5. Thoughtfully Thursday focuses exclusively on Read And Lead and is open to all.
6. My Good School Retreat for GSA Member Schools #JoyOfLearning.
7. Learning Forward Retreat at Fig Tree Cottage - book for a group of five and spend two nights at Dehradun #BrewingKnowledge.

We offer a customised learning experience for every individual #JoyOfLearning.

Learning Forward India Foundation

Founded by Sandeep Dutt of The English Book Depot #BrewingKnowledge, the Foundation aims to reshape school culture by fostering trust, curiosity, and collaboration among stakeholders.

BOOKS OF THE WEEK

Stress Impact on Children’s Learning & First-Generation Learners

The Courage to be Happy - an introduction

Learning Forward Saturday

To introduce the Staff Leadership Development Program and its core philosophy. Reading from the book Wanted Back-Bencher & Last-Ranker Teacher by Kavita Ghosh.

Learning Through Stories: Small Efforts, Big Impact- Lotus Petal Foundation

It was very engaging storytelling, and using narratives is a potent communication tool, no matter what you want to communicate.

My Good School, The Teachers Academy and much more in our complete edition on Substack, only at www.GSI.in

Wear your Eductor Badge with pride.
Available from The English Book Depot

Reflection Masterclass 2024 - Gitika Kapoor

 Right vs Wrong: A Simple yet Powerful Choice

As humans, we face countless decisions every day. Some are easy, while others can be tough. But amidst all the complexity, there's one fundamental distinction that guides us: right vs wrong.

So, what's the difference? Simply put, "right" refers to actions that promote kindness, respect, and fairness. On the other hand, "wrong" involves behavior that harms, deceives, or exploits others.

Let's consider a real-life example. Imagine you're in a classroom, and a classmate accidentally leaves their pencil case on the table. You notice that it contains a brand-new, expensive pen. What do you do?

Option 1: Take the pen for yourself (Wrong)

This action would be unfair and disrespectful to your classmate. It's not yours to take, and doing so would harm your relationship and trust.

Option 2: Return the pencil case to your classmate (Right)

By choosing to return the pencil case, you demonstrate kindness, empathy, and integrity. Your classmate will appreciate your honesty, and you'll strengthen your friendship.

In this simple scenario, we see the power of choosing right over wrong. By making the right choice, we promote a positive, supportive environment where everyone benefits.

Remember, right vs wrong is not always a complicated or gray area. Often, it's a straightforward decision that requires empathy, self-awareness, and a commitment to treating others with kindness and respect.

A Lesson for My Students: To Copy or Not to Copy 

As a pastoral care lead, I've seen many students look up to celebrities, influencers, or athletes as role models. While it's natural to admire and draw inspiration from others, I've noticed that some students can take it too far.

Let me share a real-life example. Last year, one of my students, Aditya, was obsessed with a popular rapper. His class teacher reported to me that Aditya would often imitate the rapper's lyrics, style, and even behavior, including using explicit language in class.

As Aditya's pastoral care lead, I sat down with him to discuss the issue. "Aditya, I've been made aware that you've been using some language in class that's not acceptable," I said gently. "Can you tell me why you're imitating this rapper's behavior?"

Aditya looked down, sheepishly. "I just think he's cool, and I want to be like him," he admitted.

I nodded understandingly. "I get it. We all have people we look up to. But it's essential to think critically about what we're imitating and why. Just because someone is famous or popular doesn't mean we should copy their behavior without question."

I encouraged Aditya to think about the values and behavior the rapper promoted and whether they aligned with his own values and goals. I also reminded him that he had the power to choose what he imitated and why.

Another example that comes to mind is when a group of students started following a popular influencer on social media. They would often talk about the influencer's beauty routines, fashion choices, and relationships. While it was harmless at first, some of the students started to feel pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

I decided to have an open discussion with the students about the impact of social media on our self-esteem and body image. We talked about the importance of self-acceptance, self-love, and critical thinking when it comes to the media we consume.

As a pastoral care lead, it's my responsibility to guide students in making informed decisions about what they imitate and why. Here are some lessons I've learned along the way:

- Encourage critical thinking: Help students think critically about what they're imitating and why. Ask them to consider the potential consequences of their actions.

- Promote self-awareness: Encourage students to reflect on their own values, beliefs, and goals. Help them understand what makes them unique and special.

- Foster a growth mindset: Emphasize the importance of learning from mistakes and failures. Encourage students to take risks and try new things.

- Model good behavior: As a pastoral care lead, I strive to model the behavior and values I want students to imitate.

In conclusion, while it's natural for teenagers to look up to role models and imitate their behavior, it's essential to teach them the importance of critical thinking, self-awareness, and self-acceptance. By doing so, we can help them make informed decisions about what they imitate and why, and encourage them to develop their own unique identity.

This Christmas - Paul Puthenveetil Variath

This Christmas, an exhilarating and heartwarming story unfolded in a vibrant school, where a beloved teacher and her fifty enthusiastic students united to support a classmate in the hospital! In a stunning display of the season's true spirit, the teacher led the charge, embodying the powerful teachings of Christ—promoting unconditional love, selfless giving, and endless forgiveness.

She ignited a wave of inspiration among her students, encouraging them to pour their hearts into creating gifts, writing heartfelt letters, and dedicating their time to brighten their friend's days. This incredible teacher's actions stood as a shining testament to the values of generosity over greed and selflessness over selfishness, showcasing an unwavering commitment to love and care for others. Her infectious spirit reminded everyone that the real magic of Christmas lies in the joy of giving and the warm embrace of compassion. What a remarkable celebration of kindness!

Paul Puthenveetil Variath

Addl. Director - QCR, & Board Member

Sunbeam Group Of Schools

Happiness and Tolerance - Saumya RPKM

An Unhappy Student:

As an educator, we had an experience with an unhappy student struggling with personal issues and could not focus on academics. We approached the student with empathy, actively listening to his concerns and providing emotional support. We also referred him to the school's counsellor for professional help. In addition, we worked with the student to develop a plan to address his academic challenges and provided extra resources to help him catch up on missed work.

My advice to educators dealing with unhappy students is to create a safe and welcoming environment in the classroom where students feel comfortable expressing their emotions. Be patient, pay attention to their worries, and offer the proper resources and support. Encourage the student to seek professional help from school counsellors or mental health professionals and work with them to develop a plan to address their academic challenges.

An Intolerant Student:

As an educator, we have not had an experience with an intolerant student, but we may encounter such a situation. If a student shows intolerance towards their peers, we would first address the behaviour with a one-on-one conversation. We would clarify that intolerant behaviour is unacceptable in the classroom and emphasize the importance of treating others with respect and dignity. If the behaviour continues, we will involve the school administration to take appropriate disciplinary action. 

I advise educators dealing with intolerant students to create a classroom culture that promotes inclusivity and respect for all individuals. Encourage kids to be accepting of others and open-minded by teaching them about the consequences of bigotry. To make sure that all kids feel comfortable and respected in the classroom, deal with intolerant behaviour quickly, consistently, and, if necessary, with the help of the school administration.

How to deal with students?

➢ Dealing with students involves a combination of patience, communication, and understanding.

➢ Here are some simple tips on how to deal with students: Be patient: Students may take time to understand concepts, so it is essential to be patient with them.

➢ Use straightforward language.

➢ Stay away from jargon and explain ideas in ways students can grasp.

➢ Actively listen: Pay close attention to what students are saying and show them that with care. This fosters trust and fosters a conducive learning atmosphere. By doing this, a relationship of trust and respect is developed.

➢ Be approachable: Encourage the students to ask and be approachable. This helps build a relationship of trust and respect.

➢ Provide feedback: Give constructive feedback to the students to help them understand where they need to improve and how to do so.

➢ Celebrate success: Celebrate the students' achievements, no matter how small they may be. This helps boost their confidence and encourages them to continue learning.

These pointers will help to deal with the students and assist them in realizing their full potential.

Saumya (Soft) @ RPK School Moradabad
Asha Singh, Nidhi Narula, Beena Singh, Shefali Johri, Ekta Sharma, Rajni Gupta and Rashmi Wright

Images sourced from https://www.dreamstime.com/

My Guide Inside - Reflections from India

The pilot for India was conducted over five Zoom sessions in February and March 2022; these sessions were born in the morning for Bob and Christa and rather a late evening for the passionate educators in India! Brinda Ghosh: Principal Gyanshree School Monisha Datta: Co-Founder of The Doon Girls School Sukhpreet Kaur: Teacher at the Gyanshree School. Rachna Bharrdwaj: Teacher at The Doon Girl's School. Nibbrati Rathore: Teacher at the Gyanshree School. Neelam Waldia: Teacher at The Doon Girl's School. Bharti Rao: Vice Principal at The Fabindia School Piyush Rai: Teacher at the Billabong High International School in Thane The My Guide Inside: Training for Educators will be available for free to any educator anywhere. The launch date is yet to be determined.

Do you listen to your guide inside?

My Guide Inside

Designed with Kids, Educators & Parents in mind! 

The principles discussed operate in all people. Globally applicable objectives include:

1. Enhance school students' Personal Well-being with an age-appropriate understanding of underlying principles.

2. Simultaneously develop your education curriculum with communication, Thinking, Personal & Social Awareness & Responsibility.

My Guide Inside innovation is built upon timeless principles, a simple blend of new and known!

The principles modelled, taught, discussed & practised in —My Guide Inside— operate in all people! The focus is on discovering well-being and understanding how we work while also developing academic skills and competencies. All this … plus a variety of creative activities.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEARNING (PDL)

INTRODUCTION TO THE THREE PRINCIPLES IN SCHOOLS

Listen to what the participants have to say

Christa Campsall gives an introduction to the principles in schools. Understanding these foundational principles creates consistently dramatic results for those involved. 

The pilot for India was conducted over five Zoom sessions in February and March 2022; these sessions were born in the morning for Bob and Christa and rather a late evening for the passionate educators in India!

Brinda Ghosh: Principal Gyanshree School
Monisha Datta: Co-Founder The Doon Girls School
Sukhpreet Kaur: Teacher at the Gyanshree School.
Rachna Bharrdwaj: Teacher at The Doon Girl's School.
Nibbrati Rathore: Teacher at the Gyanshree School.
Neelam Waldia: Teacher at The Doon Girl's School.
Bharti Rao: Vice Principal at The Fabindia School
Piyush Rai: Teacher at the Billabong High International School Thane

The My Guide Inside: Training for Educators will be available for free to any educator anywhere, launch date to be determined.

Please know you are welcome to join any of the scheduled "live sharing" Zoom meetings. We envision some of you may choose to host an MGI live sharing for your education community in the future. We are sure we'll all have insights into how to Share It Forward!

About the 3 Principles in just 2 minutes!

"Bob and I enjoyed sharing with everyone!" - Christa Campsall

www.GoodSchools.in
Well-Being Program

Thoughtfulness - Rahul Thakur

Thoughtfulness is thinking before we act an action. Thoughtfulness is a way to encourage love and appreciation for others. It is thinking to change the world for the better. A way to show thoughtfulness is to help someone; it helps us feel better. By thoughtfulness, you can neutralise them negatively. When someone doesn’t act with respect or kindness, that time how you react.                                                 

Anger is an emotion that can cause so much damage and hurt at school that you want to handle it. You think about people other than yourself. This is thoughtfulness.

Sometimes we act before we think. This can hurt other people, so think and then react. We always need someone who thinks that people who think a favour of others always benefit and are loved by everyone.

Rahul Thakur

The Fabindia School

rtr@fabindiaschools.in

Responsibility and Cooperation - Prerna Rathod

Responsibility and cooperation are the inner core values of a person. Responsibility is

the quality of being responsible for a person, thing, relation, etc. In other words, it is the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.

On the other hand, cooperation means the action or process of working together to the same end. If a person is responsible, then he will definitely be cooperative. He will definitely understand the value of the other person, as well as their relation.

A person is responsible if he/she cares for the other creature. But a person might be cooperative, genuinely or just for the sake of their welfare. When a person is responsible and cooperative, he develops other qualities also like respecting others work and views, being calm and patient, trusting others, developing leadership qualities, building team spirit and working with the team to achieve a common goal.

A very good example where both responsibility and cooperation come together is our present situation. Today to save ourselves from Covid-19 the government has made certain rules and regulations to save the citizens of our country from Covid-19. Now, it is our responsibility to follow these rules and also see that others also follow these rules. If we all follow the rules sincerely and cooperate with the government then we will be able to defeat Corona Virus and this depicts our cooperation with the government and society and we will become responsible citizens of our country. But if we don’t follow the guidelines then, we will be responsible for our suffering. So stay home, stay safe and follow the guidelines issued.

Prerna Rathod

The Fabindia School

prd@fabindiaschools.in

Hope and Friendship - Prakash Dangi

"Hope" the word is small but it's meaning is very large for our society. Everyone needs it, and almost everyone exhibits at least some measure of hope if they have made it as far as this day. Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. Stay positive and happy. Work hard and don’t give up hope. A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination in students.

Hope allows us to approach problems with a proactive, positive mindset, and increase our chances of success. It’s when life gets difficult that we need to utilize hope the most. we must keep in mind that hope is active, it is something we do rather than something we have. If you find yourself in a situation that you would like to turn to, get out and start doing something about it. Put some action behind your hope. For example;. Today we can’t physically go to school, so we started online classes. Starting days only 2-3 students joined the class but after some time the students increased.

It is only possible to have hope. Being a positive influence on the world around you will inspire and motivate people to stay hopeful in their goals. Sometimes we face difficult conditions then confidence and trust have been broken, only hope sustains us in our lives. Friendship can simply be defined as a form of mutual relationship or understanding between two people or more who interact and are attached to one another in a manner that is friendly.

It is a  relationship of devotion between two or more people where people involved have a true and sincere feeling of affection, care and love towards each other devoid of any misunderstanding and without demands. It is the purest form of relationship between two individuals with no hidden agenda.

It is very important to have a friend in life. Each friend is vital and their significance in known to us when certain circumstances emerge which must be supported by our friends. All of the different religion, caste, position, sex and age do not matter. Friendship is important in life because it teaches us a great deal about life. We learn so many lessons from friendship which we won’t find anywhere else. Friendship never leaves us in bad times. You learn how to understand people and trust others. Your real friends will always motivate you and cheer for you.

Similarly, friendship also teaches you a lot about loyalty. It helps us to become loyal and get loyalty in return. Therefore, there is no doubt that best friends help us in our difficulties and bad times of life. They always try to save us in our dangers as well as offer timely advice. The relationship between a student and teacher as the most powerful element in the learning environment as the relationship can affect how students learn, achieve, perform and develop. Honesty and patience both are important role play in a hopeful and friendly atmosphere.

Prakash Dangi

The Fabindia School

pda@fabindiaschools.in

Responsibility and Cooperation - Byju Joseph

Responsibility is a virtue to be possessed by everyone. It is a positive action towards a goal to fulfil. It makes a person think properly and take the necessary action to achieve it. Responsibility is also the dedication to perform certain duties. As a human being, as a citizen of the country, as a member of society and as a member of the family, we all should do our duties effectively. 

Those who are responsible for everything become more confident in their actions. It helps them to develop self-respect and self-control. Thus it helps them to develop their personality. Hence it is one of the personality traits. Responsibility will be varied in person to person according to their situations and positions. Being educators we have much more duties that the character formation of children is in our hands and that must be carried out carefully. It is the duty of educators to provide knowledge but it does not mean education. It is part of education only. Inculcating and nurturing the values in children and making aware of the importance of them are the major duties of educators. The goal of each educator is to make their children better citizens of the country. 

As a parent, we have the responsibility to take care and provide all facilities to our children. There are many adverse circumstances in our life which may tend to deviate from our duties and responsibilities. The strong will power only will help us to deal with such situations. As a social being, we all depend on each other in some of the other ways. So it is very important to share or help each other. Then it becomes an act of working together for a common purpose. It is exactly the cooperation. 

By cooperation, we are accepting and respecting the thoughts and ideas of others. Through this, we learn to work with the help of others as a team. In an institution or a company or any work site each and everyone to cooperate to accomplish the task assigned. Then there will be a common responsibility but individual responsibility is equally important. In the present education system, the teacher has a role of facilitator but it does not mean to deviate from responsibilities. It is there, at the same time students have responsibilities towards their duties. In the teaching-learning process mutual understanding and cooperation are essential. They should perform their duties and put their hundred per cent efforts to achieve better results. It is not an inborn trait, so it should be developed by everyone at an early age. 

Children are not bothered about their responsibilities but from their parents and teachers, they gradually learn and become responsible individuals. Teachers have the duty to make their students understand the importance of taking responsibilities. It is possible by assigning certain positions or works on a regular basis. Then they will surely cooperate with teachers and perform their duties well. 

- Byju P. Joseph,  The Fabindia School

A Peaceful Home - Sharmila Vijayvargi

When children are small, the parent shows concern, care and love for them. When parents are old, children show love, care and concern for them. As a result, everybody feels, "Someone else is concerned about me, someone is reaching out to me, someone is caring for me and someone loves me." It is a love relationship. Where a love relationship exists, peace also exists.

Of all, our parents are most dear to us. They give us our very life and we owe our life to them.  We are on this earth because of their love. We now realise how helpless were we during our childhood and all we are today is much because of our parents' sacrifice. We can't even count how many sacrifices they must have made for us! Sacrifice is love!! Many of us have achieved success in our lives because of our parent’s untiring work and sacrifice. They mould our character. Whatever we have and possess, it is because of them. 

When they have done so much for us, love, respect and obedience are our duties towards our parents. We should try and repay whatever they do/have done for us with dedication and love. Our love must be shown in action and not words. Parents should be proud of our actions and behaviour. Like every human is too respected because of his or her human dignity and every elder is to be respected because of his or her age wisdom and experience similarly we ought to respect our dear parents in all places and at all times. 

Parents wish nothing but our good. To honour our father and mother also means fulfilling their wishes. Thus, it is always a two-way street. Show care, concern and love to everyone at home. Let everyone feel that peace is a feeling one gets within oneself when one cares for someone.

Shamila Vijayvargi

The Fabindia School

Honest and Respect - Prakash Dangi

A person should not only respect himself but also other people. A person should give positive remarks to their friends. They should not put them down, by saying negative things about them. Respecting others is very important if you want to be respected. What respect means to me. When I am at work I expect the other employees to show a little bit of respect towards me. Generally speaking, it is a positive feeling or action expressed towards something.

Furthermore, showing respect is a sign of ethical behaviour. This is an essential requirement of living in a society. The relationship between students and teachers should be one of mutual respect. Students should listen to the teacher and try their best in the class. Teachers, on the other hand, need to do their best to give their students a quality education and respect them as individuals. 

          

'Honesty is the Best Policy' is a very famous proverb however most effective to be followed in everyone’s life. An honest person always occupies an important place in the hearts of the people. He who deals honesty always receives respect and esteem. Honesty shows your self-acceptance and self-worth in life. The Peace of mind and heart is achieved when we are honest in our work. A peaceful mind gives satisfaction and happiness. I also believe that being honest is not that much easy. It’s very hard and difficult to adopt it practically. At last, I believe that when a person adopts honesty he is respected in every platform.

Prakash Dangi

The Fabindia School

Be Active & Focus on Your Goals - Bharti Rao

Today I would like to share my views on “Be Active & Focus on Your Goals” through the story.

 "Lions never bother about the flies”. Flies are flies. They don't spare anyone, not even the king of the jungle. And these flies bother the king, especially when, it is just sitting and doing nothing. But lions are just not bothered about them. They will simply lift their tail once in a while, swing it this way or that way, to make the flies, fly away and then just forget about them.

Just imagine, what will happen if a lion decides to teach a lesson to these troublesome flies by trying to catch them and then kill them. Obviously, firstly he will have to forget that he is a king; instead, he would need to act like a monkey and then just run after these flies to catch them and kill them. Will he ever be able to do so? Of course not. Why? Because most of the flies are near its tail and hence if the lion has to catch these flies, he will need to reach his head closer to his tail, which obviously he cannot. And even if he could do that, he would still not be able to catch the flies because of the unique shape of its head and mouth. So in case if a lion decides to kill the flies, he will keep running in circles, going round and round, reach nowhere, start looking funny and finally collapse out of frustration.

Sometimes, this is what exactly happens in our lives too. There are so many small things (flies) happening in our life and bothering us. And what do we do? We forget as to what our life goal is, instead we start wasting our time and energy on them. In the end, we miss our goal, reach nowhere, and finally collapse out of frustration, because it is just not possible to catch those flies.

Remember, these flies bother the lion, only when he is lying dormant. But when the lion is in action, up and running, these flies do not come anywhere close to the lion and they can't also. So, just be aware of the fact that flies do bother a lion, but only when he is sitting idle, dormant and in an inactive state. But when he is active, up and running, the flies never come close to him. Therefore, remain fully active, focused on your goal and these small problems (flies) will stop troubling you and you will be able to realize your main goal. And always remember, "Lions never bother about the flies"

Bharti Rao

The Fabindia School

Stephanie Hirsh: Back To School Blog

Extract from Learning Forward Together, 4th Sept 2018

Why should we care about this disparity in how the public perceives schools? First and foremost, our responsibility is to ensure all students have effective learning experiences every day, and accomplishing this goal requires that our entire society be committed to supporting a great public school system. Great public schools demand sustained investments in teaching and learning. At the same time, educators who serve our most vulnerable children require more. We must increase the understanding of and appreciation for this equation even as we teach citizens about all the elements of an effective public education and the benefits to society and to people individually.

If you agree, then I ask you to take one of the following actions this school year. If you do so, or have other suggestions to share, please let us know.

1.      Share your best stories about your neighbourhood schools. The best news is local, and we have incredible opportunities to elevate the good news we want others to hear. This year, consider telling stories about the following:

·         What teachers are learning so that students perform better this year than last.
·         How students are using new technologies and tools to demonstrate new learning.
·         How students and educators are giving back to their local communities.
·         How your school is reducing inequities in access to great teaching and learning.

2.      Engage your senior citizens in your school. Recognize that your retired neighbours often have the most time to discuss the status of public education and may not have the latest on-the-ground information. We know that people invest in causes where they believe their opinions matter, they are needed, and where they think they can make a difference. Are there ways that you can leverage the experience and networking power of senior citizens to strengthen your school community? What would local senior citizens say if they were invited once a month to visit the school, have lunch with students, or tutor students in the library? What if they were offered the opportunity to lend their expertise in public relations, leadership, advocacy, finance, operations, or infrastructure? And then what if they were asked to help with increasing the support for the school within the community? This is a strategy I have just recently leveraged in my own circles, having recognized how passionate and ready to work some of my experienced networks are.

3.      Finally, educate your local, state, provincial, and federal politicians. From personal experience, I know it is a big challenge to increase taxes for local schools. As a former school board member, I certainly recognized that my constituents did not elect me to raise their taxes. The same statement would be repeated by your state and federal representatives. So your task is to make it impossible for policymakers – and community members who vote -- to say “no” to investing in public schools. Start by:

·         Sending regular updates on the great things happening in your school for your students, community, and faculty, with a focus on outcomes.

·         Sending notes of appreciation for their support of public education. Serving as a policymaker is a tough job – and I can tell you, politicians, rarely hear “thank you.”

·         Getting them – or their staff members -- to visit your school to observe great teaching and learning in action and to hear from students and teachers themselves about how much their support matters.

Local, state, provincial, and federal investments are critical to supporting educators to build the knowledge and skills they need to help all students reach their potential. If policymakers don’t hear about the impact of those investments, chances are that the next time a vote comes up, it will be easy to compromise and give those dollars to some other important cause. Please make it a priority this year to share a great local story about teaching and learning.

I wish everyone an amazing school year. Thank you to everyone who is dedicating your life to the noblest profession there is – your legacy is in those faces staring at you every day.

Stephanie Hirsh
Executive Director
Learning Forward
The Professional Learning Association

Compassion is action

Compassion does not need any big action, our small acts of kindness also lead to the perfection of it. By spending a few moments with others or by listening to the problems of others we become compassionate. As teachers we need to find a few time to listen our children instead of giving instructions or commands always for our convenience. It benefits the children a lot and we can observe visible changes in them and that will provide a real satisfaction in us.

Compassion is defined as the feeling of deep sympathy and sadness for another person who is stricken by misfortune. If someone shows kindness, caring and a willingness to help others, then they are showing compassion. When you feel compassion for someone, you really want to help out.

Compassionate action within a community takes time to recognize the suffering, to truly empathize with those who suffer and then to take compassionate action that will improve their situation.
Qualities of compassion are patience and wisdom, kindness and perseverance, warmth and resolve. Compassion motivates people to go out of their way to help the physical, mental or emotional pains of another and themselves.

Compassion is often regarded as having sensitivity, an emotional aspect to suffering. It involves feeling for another and is a precursor to empathy, feeling as another capacity for better person-centred acts of active compassion. 

Our learning from:  ‘Can you teach a Zebra some Algebra’ -by Debashis Chatterjee

- Kavita Devra, Byju Joseph, Krishna Gopal Dave and Vinit Kumar.
The Fabindia School

Compassion Is Action

First thing for being unhappy there are many reasons which we can give back to back without a break of one second. But why always negative thoughts strike first in our mind. Why can’t we be happy with others being happy.

We all know that actions speak more louder than words and this is especially pertinent when it comes to compassion. For example :- if I notice someone crying I have a choice I can feel compassion for them and walk past them or I can feel compassion for them and ask them if there’s anything I can do.

Our Learning  from :- Can You Teach A Zebra  Some Algebra.

Group Members :- Ishu, Kusum, Urmila and Rajeshwari - The Fabindia School

SKILLS: boundaries to your growth!

In today's globalized world, competition and technological change require continuous skill development. Skills development is a necessary step in getting to where we want to be. With every new result you want to achieve, there are new skills you need to learn, new skills you need to develop. There is really no ‘magic’, ‘miracle’ or ‘quick fix’ behind it. If you try to skip the stage of learning, you become limited in what you can achieve. You will end up failing or achieving mediocre results.

For example, if you want to be an English writer, you need to master your fundamental skill first – your command of the English language. You can’t go far in your ambitions if you have problems with fundamental tenses, grammar and vocabulary.

The skills which you have define the boundaries you operate in. The more skills you learn and the more developed you are in those skills, the greater your capacity to perform. This means better results. By developing your skills, you literally expand your own boundaries. These boundaries can be as big as you want – they are defined by you.

BUT  HOW TO START DEVELOPING SKILLS?

Break it down into smaller steps.

The process of skills development can be a daunting task, especially if it’s a new, high chunk skill. For example,  starting a new business. Business management involves a whole series of different skills, such as project management, time management, leadership, problem solving, and so on. If that’s the case, break this down into mini steps. What is the first step you need to take to embark on this? Direct all your efforts into getting that first step into place, then move on to your second step. You will find things are much easier to handle that way.

Learn from the best.

It’s easiest to learn from the people who have been there before. Identify the people out there who are already experts in the skills you want to develop. Observe them. Model them if you want an exact same output. If you know them, approach them for assistance. Ask them to be your mentors. Seek guidance. 

Research – Read up.

There is tons of excellent material out there with information waiting to be lapped up. Start off by researching on the internet. Read books related to the subject. Watch related videos.

Attend trainings.

Trainings, seminars and workshops are great sources to quickly develop skills. Depending on the quality of the training, trainings can sometimes be a one stop shop for the kind of skills you are developing. They serve as concentrated sources of information that is already organized and structured into a series of programs. The intensity of such events and the combined common intentions of the participants enable you to move forward much faster than if you were to do it alone.

Get into action – Do it.

There is no better way to learn than to get right into thick of things and do it. Strategizing and planning are important, but at some point you need to start executing the plans. When you start doing, you get immediate feedback on your progress and whether it fits with your expectations. Until you try it, it will always remain in your mind as a hypothesis. Doing things closes all the ‘what ifs’ and creates momentum to move forward.