“Heart vs Mind” reading ahead teenage behaviour and relationships

Learning Forward Saturday focused on reflections from the book “Wanted Back-bencher Last-ranker Teacher” and on reading a chapter about Roma’s experience with teenage relationships. Brinda led the session by having participants share their reflections on the “Heart vs Mind” chapter, in which Rekha Sharma and Sneha shared insights into teachers’ responsibilities for understanding and supporting students’ emotional well-being. The group then read a chapter where Roma counselled two students, Arjun and Rakhi, about their romantic relationship, and later met with the students’ parents to discuss appropriate consequences. The discussion highlighted Roma’s mature approach to working with both teenagers and their parents, explaining the psychological and biological factors behind teenage behaviour and relationships. The session concluded with a brief discussion about Roma’s upcoming confrontation with a senior teacher, Simon Sir, regarding allegations about her behaviour with students.

Next steps: Brinda Conduct all future reading sessions on Saturday at 3:30pm. Collaboration All participants: Write and share reflections on the chapter read in the meeting, focusing on takeaways and personal insights as teachers, parents, or people who deal with teenagers. Summary Heart versus Mind Reflections The meeting focused on participants’ reflections on the chapter “Heart vs Mind.” Rekha Sharma shared that the chapter deepened her understanding of a teacher’s responsibilities, emphasising the importance of emotional security for students and balancing both heart and mind in teaching. Sangeeta Singh’s reflection highlighted the need for emotional support and understanding during adolescence, noting that students perform better when they feel valued and emotionally secure. Both reflections emphasised the importance of connecting with students’ emotions before addressing their behaviour and the role of both teachers and parents in nurturing emotionally strong individuals alongside academic excellence. Teen Relationship Counselling Discussion The meeting focused on reading and discussing a book called “Wanted Back-bencher Last Ranker Teacher” by Roma. The group read a chapter involving two teenagers, Arjun and Rakhi, who were caught by a teacher and discussed their relationship and the challenges it presented. Roma, the non-teacher protagonist, counselled the teenagers and later met with their parents to address the situation. The discussion highlighted the complexities of teenage relationships and the need for understanding and support from both parents and teachers during this developmental phase. Teenage Relationships and Behaviour Guidance The meeting focused on discussing teenage relationships and behaviour, with Roma providing insights on how to handle situations involving young students like Arjun and Rakhi. Roma explained that teenagers often seek emotional support through relationships and suggested that parents should communicate openly with their children rather than prohibit relationships. The discussion also covered how teenage brains are still developing, particularly in areas related to emotions and decision-making. The conversation ended with a brief discussion about a staff situation involving Roma and Simon Sir, regarding allegations that they took students to Club Paradise. Zoom notes AI can make mistakes. Review for accuracy.

Heart vs Mind Part 1 - Student discipline and teenage relationships

Quick recap

Learning Forward Saturday reading session for The Teachers Academy, focused on the book "Wanted Backbencher and Last Ranker Teacher,” in which participants discussed the chapter "Heart vs. Mind" and shared reflections from the previous session on overcoming fear and leadership. Sandeep Dutt provided updates about the program’s expansion, including a new 3:30 PM session time starting July 4 and a new simplified domain (diljeeto.com), while announcing that 350 people had registered for the evening program at 5:30 PM. The group read excerpts from the current chapter on Roma’s experiences with student discipline issues and teenage relationships, and participants discussed how to handle adolescent behaviour in the classroom. The session concluded with plans to contact Kavita regarding the final two chapters and a discussion of the importance of understanding teenage psychology in teaching.

Next steps

Brinda

• Contact Kavita (the author) to invite her to join the upcoming sessions (the last two chapters) via Zoom for 20-30 minutes each.

Sneha

• Prepare the next chapter, “Heart vs. Mind,” for the session on July 4.
• Create and share a poster announcing the new session time of 3:30 PM.

Collaboration

• All participants: Submit reflections focusing on the theme “every child must succeed”.

Heart Vs Mind - Sunbeam School Mau

Reading the chapter “Heart Versus Mind” made me reflect deeply on the responsibilities of a teacher. The chapter beautifully shows that every child carries emotions, fears, dreams, and struggles that are not always visible. As a teacher, I believe that before correcting a student’s behaviour, I must first understand the reason behind it, as Brinda Ma’am said. Young children need emotional security more than strict discipline. If a child cries, becomes silent, or behaves differently, I would patiently listen, comfort them, and make them feel safe rather than scold them. A classroom should be a place where children feel accepted, respected, and confident to express themselves. 

A student’s emotional well-being is the foundation of meaningful learning. At the same time, senior students need guidance, trust, and motivation as they face academic pressure, peer influence, and personal challenges. Instead of judging them for their mistakes, as a Pastoral Guide, I would encourage open conversations, appreciate their efforts, help them set realistic goals, and remind them that failures are opportunities to learn. 

The title “Heart vs. Mind” reminds me that a good teacher should never choose one over the other. The heart teaches us to be kind, compassionate, and understanding, while the mind helps us remain fair, responsible, and thoughtful in our decisions. A balance of both qualities enables a teacher to create a positive learning environment where students not only achieve academic success but also grow into confident, responsible, and emotionally strong individuals. 

This chapter has strengthened my belief that the greatest achievement of a teacher is not producing high scorers but touching students’ lives with empathy, patience, and genuine care.

Rekha Sharma

As I read this part of Heart vs Mind, I was reminded that adolescence is one of the most sensitive phases of a student's life. As an Academic Head and an English teacher, I often observe that students need not only academic guidance but also emotional support, understanding and someone who listens to them without judgement.

What impressed me most was Roma Mathur's approach of understanding her students before correcting them. She looked beyond their behaviour and recognised their emotions, fears and hidden potential. This reflects the true essence of education—that every child deserves empathy, trust and an opportunity to grow.

In my experience, students perform their best when they feel valued and emotionally secure. Meaningful conversations, encouragement and a positive teacher-student relationship often create a greater impact than mere classroom instruction. This chapter also reminds us that when teachers and parents work together with patience and understanding, children develop the confidence to make responsible decisions.

For me, education is not only about academic excellence but also about nurturing emotionally strong, responsible and compassionate individuals. Heart vs Mind beautifully reinforces the belief that before shaping a student's mind, we must first connect with their heart.

Sangeeta Singh

Heart Vs Mind - Sunbeam School Sarnath

The video HEART VS MIND highlights the contrast between emotion and reason. The heart drives decisions through feelings and passion, while the mind relies on logic and analysis. A balance between both is crucial—too much emotion can lead to turmoil, while excessive logic may make life rigid. Adolescents often follow their hearts due to their developing brains, causing communication gaps and anger issues. Instead of being rigid, adults should practice soft power—being assertive yet patient—to guide them effectively.

Roza khan
Ankit khare
Gautam Verma

Sunbeam School Sarnath

The Magic of Reading and the Everlasting Bond of Teachers & Students ✨📚- Special session with Sandeep Dutt! 😊📖

Teachers Travel With You All Your Life by Sandeep Dutt

Episode 1: Reading My Good School with Sandeep Dutt

Read on Substack

Today was extraordinary as we had the privilege of reading My Good School by Sandeep Dutt in a special session. What made it even more remarkable was that Mr. Sandeep Dutt read the book aloud! 🎤📖 His narration brought life to the words, making the experience profoundly enriching and memorable.

One of the most touching chapters we explored was "Teachers Travel With You All Your Life". It beautifully portrayed the multiple roles a teacher plays— a journalist 📰, a friend 🤝, a guide 🧭, a mentor 🌟, a guardian 🏡, a detective 🔍, and a problem solver 💡. This chapter truly emphasized that teaching is much more than just standing in front of a class with chalk and a blackboard. A great teacher carries their students in their heart, making learning a joyful and meaningful journey. ❤️✨

We realized that learning is fun when teachers deeply understand their role and connect with students beyond textbooks. A good teacher doesn't just teach; they inspire, nurture, and shape young minds for a lifetime. 🌱📚

A Beautiful Quote to Reflect On:

"A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart." 💖

Let's cherish the wonderful teachers in our lives and celebrate the joy of learning every day! 🎉📖🌟

A BOOK FOR ANYONE AND EVERYONE ASSOCIATED WITH SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLING. 

This book is for parents to select the school for their child, as the choice can have a lifelong impact on the growth and personality of the child. A guide for you to look beyond that high-rise building and those perfectly manicured lawns to go deeper in your search for your good school. It will encourage you to observe, question, evaluate, and choose a school that will truly prepare your child for a life beyond the campus, a life beyond theory, and a life beyond algebra. This book will help educators, school administrators, and management build and rebuild such institutions and change the future of learning. 

Enriched with the knowledge, experience, and, most importantly, the wisdom of Sandeep Dutt, a Doon School alumnus and school improvement coach, this book will encourage conversations about our education system and help shape the future of education worldwide.

HeArT vs MiNd

HEART VS MIND

       

# Navigating the Emotional Labyrinth: A Modern Guide to Adolescent Parenting

Modern parenting requires a shift from authoritative leadership to thoughtful facilitation. While parents naturally draw from their personal experiences, offering well-intentioned advice based on past situations, this approach needs careful consideration in our rapidly evolving society. What worked for one generation may not adequately address the challenges faced by the next, as social structures, technology, and cultural norms continue to transform.

However, amid these changes, emotions remain a constant thread connecting generations, though their expression varies across different life stages. Adolescence, in particular, emerges as a critical period characterized by intense emotional experiences. During this phase, young people navigate complex territories: peer competition intensifies, romantic feelings emerge, and questions of personal identity become paramount through exploration of appearance and style.

The digital age has amplified these challenges, with social media creating new dimensions of peer pressure and emotional complexity. Simple friendships can evolve into deeper emotional attachments through constant digital connection, while the desire for validation and acceptance takes on new forms.

In this landscape, parents and educators must adapt their approach. When confronted with teenage mistakes or unexpected behavior, responding with patience and empathy becomes crucial. Rather than immediate judgment or quick solutions, creating space for understanding and dialogue proves more effective.

The key lies in helping adolescents maintain their sense of self while navigating emotional turbulence. 

Parents can achieve this by:

- Maintaining open communication without judgment

- Validating feelings while helping maintain perspective

- Supporting identity exploration while reinforcing core values

- Teaching emotional regulation while allowing for authentic expression

Success in modern parenting comes from finding the balance between providing support and allowing independence. By understanding emotion as a bridge between generations while acknowledging its evolving expression, parents can better guide their children through the complexities of contemporary adolescence.

Ankit Khare

Sunbeam School Sarnath

The Heart vs The Mind- Sunbeam English School Bhagwanpur

Click and play

Today, we explore a timeless debate: the heart vs the mind.

At some point, each of us faces a dilemma where emotions pull us in one direction while logic guides us in another. This internal tug-of-war can feel overwhelming, but what if the answer lies not in choosing one over the other but in striking a balance between the two?

The heart, our emotional core, is where compassion, empathy, and passion reside. It makes us human and connects us to others on a deeply personal level. Please think of the times you've helped a friend in need, even when it was inconvenient. That was your heart guiding you to value relationships over rational calculations.

On the other hand, the mind represents logic, reason, and strategy. It helps us analyse situations, weigh pros and cons, and plan for the future. For example, when preparing for exams, the mind reminds us to focus on priorities and stay disciplined.

But should we always follow just one? Imagine a doctor who must decide how to treat a critically ill patient. The heart may urge them to take every possible measure to save a life while the mind evaluates the risks and outcomes. It’s when the heart and mind collaborate that the best decisions are made – decisions that are both empathetic and practical.

So, how do we achieve this balance?

Pause and Reflect: Before making a choice, take a moment to listen to both your emotions and your reasoning.

Seek Perspective: Talk to others. They can provide clarity and help you consider both sides.

Practice Harmony: Start small, like balancing kindness with boundaries in friendships or blending ambition with gratitude in personal goals.

In life, the heart brings meaning, while the mind provides direction. Together, they create a journey filled with purpose and wisdom.

Let us embrace this beautiful collaboration and strive to make decisions honouring our emotions and intellect.

Reeta Tiwari

Sanyogita Dubey

Sneha Singh

Sunbeam English School Bhagwanpur

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

Heart Vs Mind - Reading at The Teacher's Academy 14th Sept 2024

Summary of the reading session

Addressing Student Disciplinary Issues and Teacher's Role

We read about disciplinary issue involving students Arjun and Rakhi. Roma, their teacher, disagreed with the punishment and insisted on talking to the parents first before disciplining the students. Roma emphasised the need to understand the student's perspective and only jump to conclusions with giving them a fair chance. The discussion highlighted the importance of respecting teachers and allowing them to handle situations with their students. Roma firmly stood up for her students despite opposition from senior colleagues.

Addressing Student Misbehavior and Consequences

Roma discussed the actions of two students, Arjun and Rakhi, who had been caught talking on the terrace, a prohibited area, and bunking the morning assembly. Learning emphasised the importance of understanding the consequences of their actions, which had given the school administration, teachers, and other students a wrong message. She also highlighted the need to adapt to new times and understand the younger generation's perspective. The students apologised for their actions, but Roma continued questioning them to ensure they understood the gravity of their mistakes.

Relationship Issues and Physical Intimacy Discussion

Arjun, Rakhi, and their friends discussed their relationship issues. Rakhi expressed her need for more time due to the impact of the relationship on her life at home and school, while Arjun argued that the relationship was not affecting his life. They also discussed the influence of their friends on their relationship, with Arjun mentioning that Anthony had advised him that Arjun liked Rakhi. The conversation ended with Rakhi expressing her desire to end the relationship due to the pressure it put on her and the fear of a breakup. Additionally, Rakhi explained the four phases related to physical intimacy, which led to an unintended revelation by Arjun and Rakhi in front of their teacher.

Discussing Friendship, Autonomy, and Consequences

Sandeep expressed concerns about friends' influence on personal decisions and the potential consequences of such decisions. Anubha mentioned the importance of individual autonomy and the possible impact of their actions on others. The conversation also touched on the theme of friendship and its potential challenges. The conversation ended with Learning promising to work on being just friends to facilitate a meeting with their parents.

Building Self-Confidence and Trust in Education

Roma shared her experience of receiving love letters at 16, which helped her cope with negative comments and build self-confidence. She connected this to Rakhi's situation and highlighted the importance of self-confidence and teacher-student trust. Roma welcomed Arjun's and Rakhi's parents to discuss punishing their children for their mistakes. The parents agreed with the school's decision and decided to remove their children's privileges.

Addressing Technical Difficulties and Punishments

Our meeting was marked by technical difficulties, with participants experiencing intermittent audio and video issues. Despite these disruptions, we managed to continue the session and the discussion on punishments. Sandeep emphasised the importance of understanding how these punishments can be handled and the need for better devices and connections to prevent future disruptions.

Navigating Teenage Years: Challenges and Support

The discussion revolved around the challenges of parenting teenagers, particularly those between the ages of 14 and 16. The participants acknowledged the significant changes during this period, including shifts in friendships' cognitive, emotional, physical, and personality growth. They emphasised the importance of understanding these changes to better support their children. The conversation also touched on the role of schools and parents in navigating these challenges, focusing on providing guidance and support during this confusing phase of life.

Teenagers' Behavior and Relationship Dynamics

The meeting revolved around the issues faced by Rakhi, a teenage girl, and Arjun, a teenage boy. The discussion centred on the reasons behind their behaviour, with Roma suggesting that Rakhi might seek self-assurance through a relationship due to her insecurities. On the other hand, Mr Rana argued that Arjun was a confident boy and didn't need to seek self-assurance through a relationship. The group also discussed the possibility of Arjun missing his mother or sister, which could explain his attachment to Rakhi. The conversation ended with the group agreeing that trust should be given to teenagers and that they should not be punished for their actions.

Teenage Relationships: Emotional Challenges and Communication

The discussion revolved around the emotional and psychological aspects of teenage relationships, particularly the challenges teenagers and their parents face. The participants acknowledged that teenagers often experience intense emotional connections, which can be overwhelming and all-consuming. They also recognised that teenagers are young and immature and usually try to deal with their emotions independently. The importance of open communication and understanding was emphasised, suggesting that parents should not react as anticipated but instead give their children a chance to talk about their experiences. The participants also discussed the potential dangers of physical intimacy in certain relationships and the need for teenagers to learn how to say no and leave situations when necessary.

Teenage Self-Esteem and Brain Development Discussion

Roma and Mrs. Vishwanathan discussed the importance of self-esteem in teenagers and advised Rocky's mother to work on his low self-esteem by encouraging self-love. Roma also explained the development of the teenage brain, emphasising emotional sensitivity and the ongoing development of the prefrontal cortex. She shared her experience of a tense day at school filled with drama and tension and received a warning from Simon about her actions, particularly her involvement in taking four girls to a club.

Chapter Completion and Assignment Discussion

Learning discussed the completion of the current chapter and the assignment planned for it. The assignment was shared in the Joy of Learning Library and Dehradun. Learning encouraged everyone to work on it in groups, creating videos as suggested or coming up with reflections. The next session was set to focus on reflections from teachers across schools. Learning also emphasised the importance of reading and leading, urging everyone to try to read the assigned book. The conversation ended with a reminder to refer to the blog post and start working on the assignment.

AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy.

Joy Of Learning

 

Joy Of Learning blossomed once I discovered the idea of the Heart Tree, thanks to my Coach and colleague, Venus Upadhayaya.

Life is learning, and learning is life! Every day and every minute counts, and the experiences shape us. Have you ever wondered what this joy of learning is?

Talking about schools, schooling and what goes into making a good school, the rise of liberal arts education, the learning process has to evolve to keep up with the times. Over three decades of working with schools and travelling worldwide to understand how we learn have been my life's key driver for happiness.

After visiting countries from the east to west, including Singapore, Finland and the USA, looking at the way children learn and what makes the joy of learning come alive at schools, I thought it all begins with reading. It is not about print or digital, as the art of reading alone helps children pick up skills for life. They experience values and virtues working with mentors and peers, adding value to the school curriculum.

The 6 C's:  Critical thinking; Creativity; Collaboration; Communication; Character; and Citizenship. When you read, your imagination makes you think; this is step one for any action. Today, with fleeting attention and the lack of retention, we must focus on the mind, consciousness and thought. Our thought must govern our actions, and we are in times of knee-jerk reactions, which leads to a lack of trust and questioning relationships.

How do we move from critical thinking to good Citizenship? The answer lies in spreading the joy of learning and focusing on reading, writing and speaking. You will say this happens at school, and I disagree. Many first-generation schoolgoers, our young people, have yet to have the privilege of listening and learning from family members as in the last century. There is a need for good mentorship and role models. It is not easy to find an adult who will be a voracious reader, our teachers at schools are all from the school systems where they have relied only on rote learning, and the need for reading beyond the text and sharing stories seems alien to most.

With over thirty years of working with schools and focusing more on schooling, my experience reaffirms that we must empower every individual with personal and social development. It is only possible if they experience the joy of learning and are good at reading, writing and speaking. To prepare a child to face the world, we must first read as a family, community, and nation. It is essential to be with a book and delve deeper within. The power of reading will shape our speaking in turn.

Today we must look at reading, writing and speaking as skills for life. Please understand the medium and language; read what you enjoy and with leisure. Reading newspapers and magazines adds to our knowledge of society and gives us information. The application of knowledge is crucial for us to be better educated. Talking about education and learning, we need to grow as a nation of righteous citizens, and this will make India a nation of thinkers and doers.

The New Education Policy focuses on learning beyond needing marks or merit. Happy teachers will alone help transform the education system. The teachers first need to experience the joy of learning - reading, writing and speaking, which will empower them with their personal and social development and help them become the role models we need for our young people. Literacy and numeracy are not the best measures for learning. The passion for reading, writing and speaking should be the way forward.

As an author and a practitioner of experiential learning, reading is necessary and part of my everyday life. Parents and adults request me for the success mantra for children. They even ask for tuition and remedial beyond the school system. My only answer is that every child must read to lead. It begins with the people the child lives with and unconditionally accepts as role models. Anyone who reads will be able to write and speak. They will experience the joy of learning. 

The last few months have been full of literary festivals and book fairs. Seeing young people throng the stalls at literary events has been an absolute pleasure. Speaking with young people and looking at how we publish quality books in our country has given me tremendous hope for the future of reading and the joy within.

"Don't just teach your children to read…Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything". George Carlin

The joy of learning is an extensive and profound learning experience that immerses us in a model of inquiry and problem-based learning. Looking back at the story of India, a civilisation rich with literature and how we learnt for generations, you will find that reading alone is at the core of the joy of learning. Read-aloud sessions begin education and form a narrative for a life full of knowledge.

- Sandeep Dutt focuses on school transformation, emphasising culture as a service. Over 30 years of experience have empowered thousands of teachers and touched the lives of nearly a million children.

Image courtesy Venus Upadhayaya, from her training session at the DBN Schools in Jammu, India.

The Print published this post

https://theprint.in/yourturn/subscriberwrites-liberal-arts-education-has-to-continuously-update-itself-for-better-impact/1435203/

Quality And Love - Rishona Chopra

 "If a judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid." - Albert Einstein 

We all have a beautiful quality about us. Something that makes us happy and makes us feel alive. There may be 1 bad thing about us, but there are 10 good things about us too. We all have a quality that we can always enjoy. Writing makes me feel alive, and my rate refreshes my mind. 

Today let us close our eyes and think, what do we wish to do that we could do all day? Reading, writing, playing an instrument, drawing, painting, or even doing nothing is quality. I have noticed that most people can't stay still and want to do something, even if I can't. So if you can stay still doing nothing for even 15 minutes. I say that's beautiful quality!

Take out a day to do whatever you want without any hesitation!

Apart from these hobbies, it is essential to have God's seven qualities in us:
Wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.

Quality in a classroom defines the quality of work. Whatever we set to do - whether it is to write an essay or to do a few questions we should put our heart and soul into it by writing in clear and neat handwriting while paying attention to what we write instead of copying it. The quality of our work defines us.

Love is an emotion where you feel selfless, and this bond cannot be explained better by just saying love. For me, my mother is the most loving person and the person I truly love. I have no reason to love her. I simply love her because she is she. I love her for who she is, and I just can't find a reason why I love her. It's just a bond I can't explain. 

The bond between a teacher and students is unique between a guru and a student. When I first met my new teachers, I was timid in front of them. Till the first week, I was a completely unknown child to all teachers. Soon, when our teacher showed us her passion for teaching, we showed our passion for learning. I slowly opened up to teachers, and now I never feel shy to express something in front of my guru.

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

My Good School Dil Se, Episode 2: Billabong Thane

Listen to the wonderful story of the Billabong High International School Thane

My Good School Season 1, Episode 2 - 'Dil Se' means from the heart! "My Good School Podcast - Dil Se" is about the stories that explain how schools can achieve significantly better teaching standards, foster a sense of community, and help students reach their fullest potential. My Good School Community shares how they connect, communicate, collaborate and create an environment where the joy of learning is brought to life. 

Dr Ashok Pandey, the show host and Director Ahlcon Group of Schools, speaks with the stakeholders at Billabong High International School Thane: Mr Sudhir Goenka, Trustee/Management; Ms Kalyani Chaudhuri, Principal; Ms Sanika Joshi, Teacher; Rehan Singh, school student; Ayonnya Bhattacharya. ex-student; and Ms. Prajakta Patil, parent. All the stakeholders share their personal experiences and what goes into the making of a good school.

Established in 2006, Billabong Thane celebrates 15 glorious years of responsibly creating 21st-century learners and empathetic future citizens by imparting knowledge that ensures young minds' holistic growth and development. A school where children feel at home; Where EQ precedes IQ; Teachers are facilitators, life-long mentors, and their students often remain their "kids";  and Where we unite to ideate, innovate and improvise. The school works to create a bond of trust and belonging.

Billabong is a vertical school, where the Principal sits on the second floor, and the school ten storeys, wherein the show host quips that 'the sky's the limit!'. Kalyani walks up and down the building all day long to ensure that she connects with the children and stands tall as a school leader who works to empower every teacher at school. She considers herself the luckiest person every morning and is always excited to touch the lives of all the people - the children, staff and stakeholders. She refers to the school as a temple of learning and shares why she feels on top of the world. 

Rehan, a school student, shares his ten plus years at school; he gives all credit to his teachers for their pure love and making every child happy without any expectations. His one-minute speech '...limelight makes me nervous, he would like to thank the people he values most in his life...no matter when he fell they did not let him down.

Sanika again shares her transformation in 11 years; she has grown professional and spiritually. The teacher-taught relationship is full of happiness, and she shares how the thank you book records the joy of learning on the campus.

Ayonnya recalls her relationship with teachers and how they prepared her as a person of high percentile to contribute to society. She shares the bond of friendship, activities, drama, and being the first batch at the school who had an entire decade of school experience, offered her the opportunity to grow up to be a kind and compassionate person. When she was unwell for an extended period, the teachers went beyond the call of duty to help her. The parents of the school are active learning partners and appreciate how the students lead; collaboration between stakeholders.

They have a well-knit parent and teacher body who collaborate to make Billabong a good school.

A passionate Billabong fan thus writes:

"Amidst the din and bustle of a busy street
We have a school where minds and hearts meet.
Uncles, aunties, teachers and friends
Make BHIS a happy place to attend.
Austere but gentle, strict but kind-
This is where rules and liberty lie intertwined.
Oh, Billabong is where we love to go!
Because it helps us explore as we grow.
Here we learn the core values of life,
To continue serving as we strive.
Here we learn to wipe away tears
For ours is a school that genuinely cares."

Website: billabongthane.com

Streaming on Vurbl.Com

Hope - Shivani Rao

Hope in the heart has kept us alive. Hope not only gives you the strength to deal with problems, but it also makes the journey for the future easier. Every day we sleep with the hope that the next day will be better. 

Hope gives strengths to ignore the sufferings of the present. When we stay positive about our future and feel that we have to fight to win the problems, our probability to succeed increases.

It is a belief that a positive thing will happen out of the harsh circumstances and situation in someone’s life. Hope will give you the courage and inspiration to stick to your dream as long as you breathe.

Shivani Rao

The Fabindia School

Sro@fabindiaschools.in

On My Show This Week - Venus Upadhayaya

Reporter | The Epoch Times

m.theepochtimes.com

Venus Upadhayaya 

"I am passionate about Education...

Aug 2 • 2020

Episode #36: Sandeep Dutt in conversation with Venus Upadhayaya, currently a reporter with the Epoch Times at New York. Venus reports on a wide range of issues. Her area of expertise is in Indian and South Asian geopolitics. She has reported from the very volatile India-Pakistan border and has contributed to mainstream print media in India for about a decade. Community media, sustainable development, and leadership remain her key areas of interest. She helped us give shape to Learning Forward India, she was one of the first few people who joined us for Brewing Knowledge, a little group for Coffee and Conversations in 2015. Together we built the Core-Values module for teachers and the heart tree for helping understand the role of the teacher in building the inner core of every child. She has travelled across the world, in her quest for knowledge and to build learning communities.

Learning Forward show brought to you by the Learning Forward India Foundation.

Quality and Love: Penta BHIS

I call my students ‘My Kids’ because in our year together, they are not just kids on my class list. They become a part of my heart. Every year we have a set of students who pass by, change their classes, move to other schools, but at the ending days, a thank you note from the students saying ‘I will miss you teacher’, ‘I love you teacher’ says so much of the quality of values we were successful to imbibe in them.

Hear our story

Penta @ Billabong InternationalHigh School, Thane

- Jeeji Sanjeev, Sanika Joshi, Arpita M.G., Muskaan Menda, Radhika Anand, Supriya Naravankar & Bhavani Swamy.

Humility and Appreciation - Prerna Rathod

Humility is an ornament of a good human personality. It is the best quality of a humble man.

All great men & celebrities of this world are adorned with this quality i.e., humility. Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Swami Vivekananda are live examples of a humble person. Due to this quality, they have achieved all goals of life and society without war and non-violence and are remembered for the work they have done for the society.

Appreciation goes hand in hand with humility. A humble person always appreciates the good qualities of the other person and never fails to praise them. This act of them reinforces the opposite person to appreciate him & his humility in return. So mind it, where there is humility, there is appreciation also. Both these qualities are the two sides of a coin and go hand in hand.

Lord Rama is a unique example to explain this. Rama was so humble that he happily ate the tasted berries offered by Shabri without any grudges. Thus, Rama’s humility is appreciated by all of us until today.

In return, Lord Rama appreciated the love & faith of Shabri. Her humility touched his heart & without giving a second thought he appreciated her act & ate the tasted remnants of the berries.

These both qualities are important for an Educator. An educator must appreciate a child’s work even if it is not the best work of the class. This will motivate the child to do his /her work sincerely and one day he/she will produce the best work in the class.

Finally, we can say where there is humility; appreciation resides there and vice versa.

Prerna Rathod
The Fabindia School

prd@fabindiaschools.in

Why Sooo Serious?

"Every home is a university and the parents are the teachers." - Mahatma Gandhi

The above words of wisdom are pretty much the founding principle of our world, Why Sooo Serious?

As the name describes, our world never falls short of delivering the laughs and surprises. However, weaved in these layers of fun and joy lies the learning. This learning is beyond academics, sports or any other extracurricular activity children indulge in today. This learning is about being Happy and Healthy. Happy by heart, and healthy by mind and body. 

At Why Sooo Serious we offer the set of learning in two formats, the first is the parenting application which is a playful way enables parents to educate themselves and their child about the key areas that require attention in today’s world. 

Our second offering is functional literature which is lead by our Child Development Packs. The three packs on offer are Habits, Values and Essentials. The packs contain whimsical stories which offer to learn. Are these regular stories? We believe not. Apart from being super fun, happy and never boring, our stories are built around the real-life of a child. In these stories, you will not find Aliens from other planets, or talking animals and birds. Each book is written with the intention of a child resonating with the story as his or her own.

The length of each story aims to expand and build the attention span of the child and does not offer cluttered messages but one clear message of learning. 

Each story is penned artistically in dramatic conversational English to induce fun and retention. The stories are set across multiple beautiful and colour rich expressions of cities, towns and landscapes, from medieval and modern times. At the end of each story, the fun continues with our engaging activities and a melodious sing along the poem, you will find a few of these in the stories too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwdsWFTj12k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-ZEEkqFfek

www.whysoooserious.com

Courage and Patience - Engaging Minds BHIS

A stumble may prevent a fall.

COACH ME

and I will learn

CHALLENGE ME

and I will grow.

BELIEVE IN ME

and I will win.

Magic happens when you do not give up, even though you want to. The universe always falls in love with a stubborn heart - J.M. Storm.

Albert always grew with the thought that only children with good grades are successful in life. Albert's performance was always the best, he was brilliant at academics,  Now Albert was heading to high school. Along with this, grew the expectations of all his teachers. Albert began to feel nervous. Each day built new pressure on him. It was like a mountain of expectations that he was unable to hold up. He couldn't confide in anyone. He lost his self-confidence. His courage disappeared in a blink of his eye. Needless to say, his performance began to suffer.

Ms Daisy, a middle-aged teacher who had always observed Albert since his childhood, was puzzled by this sudden display of low self-esteem. She approached him. She understood the underlying issue and showered him with her continuous encouragement and personal attention. Days turned into weeks. With a lot of patience and perseverance, Albert gathered courage and decided to attempt his final exams. And there he was - topping the rank list. His happiness knew no bounds. He couldn't thank Ms Daisy enough. This combination of courage and patience teaches us to not give up in life despite the situation.

The Patience to wait for the right moment and the courage to accept whatever you encounter are the two hardest challenges in one's life!!!!!

“COURAGE DOESN’T ALWAYS ROAR. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ‘I will try again tomorrow’”

Engaging Minds @ Billabong High International School Thane

- Ginny Franklin, Yojana Suryarao, Ishita Thakkar, Kiran Pandey, Nilka Gandhi, Geeta Mali, Meenaz Khan.

Courage and Patience - Sensing SHS

Courage & Patience

Shalini joined us 3 years ago. A bright young girl, who got along with her classmates and teachers well; she adjusted just about perfectly like any other student would in school.

As we gradually progressed with her academics in the first year, I often noticed her gazing out of the classroom window concentrating on people walking, the birds that flew around and children playing. I had to be in a constant process of bringing her attention back to the board and to my conversation. As days passed, I started noticing her careless mistakes, unable to follow instructions, her inattentiveness even on speaking to her directly and above all not being able to focus.

As I started speaking to her one on one basis, slowly but surely she started opening up that she could not manage her thoughts properly though she tried her best to do so.

I along with other teachers started working on her with the utmost patience to turn her limitations into a possibility. We started listening to her needs, working on smaller projects where she could remember and recollect easily; we started creating goals together, Ignore mild misbehaviours and academic mistakes and above all praising her for all her efforts.

The advantage we had was that she had the spirit and great courage to fight her limitations. She showed tremendous improvement each year, even as she studies in Standard IX today…she fights each day with the courage that she has. Her hyperactive behaviour, inattentiveness and concentration have improved tremendously and as teachers, we have grown with patience each day to make yet another life blossom.

- David Biswas <davidbiswas1971@gmail.com> at Sacred Heart School Siliguri

Courage and Patience- Visioners SHS

My Courageous Girl

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are."

We are blessed to be surrounded by the future of our nation. It takes me back to the year 2016 when I had joined the school. I was warmly welcomed by the staff and the students of the school. The very first sight, I saw was the happy faces of the children. Each and every child made sure to make me feel comfortable here. I tried talking to everyone, however, there was this particular child who was a bit different than others.

She was a very joyful, talented child - a good singer, great leader, her academics were very impressive. I was observing this child every now and then because there was something different in her. Slowly I could see some changes in the attitude of the girl. She looked a bit disturbed. I tried talking to her many times but she simply said, "Everything is fine, Miss." I was getting a feeling that something was bothering this young vibrant girl.

One fine evening, after their games, when all the girls went to take a wash. I saw this child approaching towards me. Suddenly, she started crying. I somehow consoled her and she had something to share it with me. In fact, she was in a relationship but she did not want to continue it.

She was not being able to put it to end which was disturbing her both physically and mentally. I spend almost an hour talking to the child and trying to make her understand that everything is possible. After a while, she was felt a little better.

Next day, I saw her running towards me. She came and hugged me and said, "Miss, I did it, I made it possible. I put  an end to it." Now, she has become a fine lady and doing well in her life."

- Preeti Rai <raihappu15@gmail.com> for Visioners @ Sacred Heart School Siliguri