GSA Learning Forward Retreat for Teachers

Good evening, Team!

This is my very first - and more to come - Retreat that has taken me back to my childhood, when I missed the opportunity to explore reading and to create a global persona and identity in me, as my parents only focused on me following the curriculum books, and reading books outside the syllabus was considered neglecting our studies by both parents and school (schools giving just one session in a week which hardly create an environment to read or develop curosity).

In my adult life, many times the thought came to me that now is the time to go back to the books and start nurturing my inner self, who wants to gather knowledge about everything, but again, the responsibility and nature of neglect that we developed as adults made me distance myself from reading books, and that incompleteness in me still follows.

New Perspective

Today, after attending the Retreat, I found a reason to be encouraged and to encourage my students to read at my school.

Keys to unlock yourself so you can become a better facilitator (Teacher). As written on the board at the Learning Forward Foundation office, “You are the one who can fill the world with Sunshine.” 

I want to become a better version of myself as a facilitator who works on 4S: Service and Skill. Sports & Study. Where every school, staff, and student is engaged in the above activities so we can provide equality and passion to the work that we can do as a good school with these elements.

Promoting the Culture of My Good School

A good school brings a platform for students to enter into an ecosystem where students focus on personal and social growth, and we, the school, the teacher, and the community, should provide a pathway for them to achieve it. 

The education system needs to offer students an environment to explore beyond the classroom; no student should be left behind, so we need to create alternative assessment and marking schemes.

Lead to Read

To be an exceptional educator, we have to make sure that our students and we think and process brainstorming in ways that lead to developing understanding and to creating their own versions of thoughts, ideas, and concepts. In the era of AI we are in today, we are all relying on AI to do our intellectual work, and we are all losing originality.

We need to read to better understand complex concepts and strengthen our knowledge. Hence, we perform effectively and become better listeners, providers, and empathetic humans who can accept change and diversity of opinion, and develop an understanding that every child is different. We do not need to try to fit them into a frame of the syllabus or curriculum, so we can create individuals who are better citizens holds their own perception of an identity with spiritual awakening, decision making, which leads them into good health, divers Intelect with reasons, amazing communicator who build solid relations empower others, take care of mother nature and give back to the society in terms of their services.  

My deepest regards and warm thanks to Sandeep Sir, Kunal, and the entire GSA for providing me with an opportunity to unwind, reflect on education, and release my strength as an educator and explore how I can create new, better, and visionary possibilities for myself, the school, and students. 

Thanks

Ritika Chauhan

PYDS Learning Academy

Affection vs. Rejection - Ranjana Singh

It's a memory I carry vividly in my heart—a tale of contrasts that shaped who I am today. I was once a cheerful, carefree girl, full of life and dreams. But life has a way of testing us, and circumstances often mold our personalities in unexpected ways. At home, I constantly found myself being compared to my elder sister. My parents, in their quest for perfection, often criticized me, measuring me against her achievements. They scolded me for not being as good as her, and I felt invisible, yearning for their approval. 

In my desperate attempts to gain their attention, I did everything I thought might please them, but nothing seemed to work. Amidst this rejection, schools became my sanctuary. My teacher, Ms. Poonam, saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself. She encouraged me, celebrated my small victories, and believed in me when I felt most unworthy. Her affection became my anchor, her words a balm to my wounded spirit. I found myself more at peace in school than at home, and her love and encouragement gave me the strength to keep moving forward. 

 With time, her unwavering support began to reflect in my actions. Slowly but surely, I improved in my studies and grew more confident. My parents, noticing the change, began to acknowledge my efforts and love me for who I was. The acceptance I had longed for finally came, but the scars of childhood rejection remained. Even today, the pain of those early experiences lingers, a bittersweet reminder of how deeply rejection can wound a child’s heart. Yet, it is Ms. Poonam’s affection that I remember most vividly—the affection that empowered me to overcome my sadness and embrace my potential. As a teacher now, I strive to emulate her in every way. 

I know there are children out there who, like me, feel the sting of rejection in their lives. I strongly believe that affection can surpass rejection and that a kind word or a gentle hand can transform lives. I make it my mission to offer the same love and encouragement to my students that Ms. Poonam gave me. Through my journey, I’ve learned that affection is the antidote to rejection, a powerful force that can heal even the deepest wounds. We all have the power to offer this gift to others, and in doing so, we create a world where everyone feels seen, valued, and loved. 

 

Ranjana Singh 

Sunbeam School Varuna

Dr Ashok Pandey "I am passionate about Education...

Learning Forward Podcast 2nd October 2021

Mark your Calendar.  

Episode #97: Sandeep Dutt, in conversation with Dr Ashok Pandey, his life story is beautiful; growing up in a village, he understood the need for values, diversity, and respect for the Guru. He talks about the idea of diversity and dedication of teachers; his teacher had a bag library and carried books for children to read to school every day! The role of a teacher is the highlight of this show. In the late 1960s, his teacher won the President of India's Award and travelled to Delhi. We see in him the true spirit of 'Guru without gururh' (truly selfless)'.

Dr Pandey believes in teachers first and empowers every individual; he is a team-builder and celebrated school leader. Dr Pandey was listed by Forbes India 2020 among the top 100 People Managers; he is now the Director of the Ahlcon Group of Schools in Delhi and has served as the Principal of the Ahlcon International School until 2019. Author of several articles and research papers, his third book, Launch Your Inspiring Principal Leadership, was published in 2019. Dr Pandey received the President of India award for his outstanding education services. Currently engaged in inter-faith dialogue and peacebuilding, has participated in the Global Peace Convention, held in Seoul,2019, the UN festival for Action on SDGs held in Bonn, 2018 and the Indo-Australia Leadership dialogue, Melbourne, 2017. Dr Pandey sits on the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE) Governing Body, India; volunteers as the National Coordinator of Climate Reality Education Program in India; and sits on several advisory bodies. Dr Pandey is passionate about a system shift in education.

According to Dr Pandey, the teachers must eschew being a broadcaster and acknowledge several alternative sources of knowledge. The classrooms need a redesign to elicit students' love for learning and self-development. The pedagogy must shun predictability and encourage curiosity, innovation, and participation. Schools should be a place where students learn to become responsible citizens and engage in community development. As an advocate of Sustainable Development Goals, he believes that equity and social justice should shape curriculum and pedagogies.

Learning Forward Station on Vurbl.Com
https://vurbl.com/station/learning-forward/

You will love the stories shared by our happy teachers and passionate educators. We grow the capacity of your people to improve student achievement and transform your school into a culture of trust and collaboration in less time with fewer resources. Each person in your school contributes to the culture of your school. School culture is built on the actions and interactions of the people. You make your school stronger by adding value to others and making others feel valued.

Vurbl app for ios at the app store and that Android will be releasing soon!

Maree Scully: Changing from the Inside Out

“Should I invest money in coaching or put it towards new clothes?”  The person who asked me this question had just finished describing her need to overcome a longstanding and destructive personal habit.

While it’s always tempting to add to our wardrobe, a new look on the outside will never bring inner growth and desired change.  We often misunderstand how growth and heart transformation take place.  We think that perhaps with more discipline and stronger willpower, we can do this on our own.  Sometimes that does work!  But there is a healthier way to grow and change.

Recently I was watching a documentary on ‘Breaking the Food Seduction’ and the doctor mentioned as a throw-away comment that it is not possible to change our eating habits on our own.  He mentioned that a little bit of group support makes the difference between success and failure.  A group that meets regularly and shares successes, stories, and challenges, will change their eating habits and their lives!

Some years ago I read the book ‘How People Grow’ by Dr’s Townsend and Cloud.  The overwhelming thought that I came away with is that God designed us to grow in the community – with loving supportive and accountable relationships.  It was never intended that we run this journey of life on our own, yet we have somehow perfected it through our tendency towards keeping up appearances, busyness and building walls to keep others out.

One of the things I love about coaching is that it enables people to grow and change in a supportive, safe, loving, accountable relationship.  The coach works with you on a journey of self-discovery. To this end, he or she will challenge you and ask you difficult and maybe uncomfortable questions.  The coach creates a safe place for you to reflect, think deeply, and arrive at a point of greater awareness that results in a commitment to change. 

Even good friends or colleagues don’t always hold each other accountable or intentionally encourage growth.   Maybe you have colleagues with whom you can be transparent and who may be willing to ask you ‘What progress are you making in that area of leadership?’  Why not give them permission to ask?  Let’s stop trying to change and grow on our own.  Find people, whether it be a coach, a friend, a colleague or a mentor, to journey with you, to support and challenge you in your leadership growth. 
This morning I read an article by Laura McCamy on ‘6 things people who are good with money always splurge on’.  She quotes a personal finance expert as saying that coaching can be a good career investment for entrepreneurs and employees alike. "Whatever is hard for you and challenging for you, investing in a coach to help you with that," she said, is a worthwhile investment.  Coaching is an investment in your growth.

Let’s not stay stuck on the inside while sporting our new wardrobe on the outside!
Maree Scully
coaching4growthltd@gmail.com
www.coaching4growth.co.nz