Workshop on Teacher - Efectiveness

Teachers have one of the most demanding vocations in the world. In order to fulfill their important role with excellence, they need training, motivation as well as regular mental, emotional and spiritual rejuvenation.

The Indian School endeavours to provide its teachers with regular opportunities for in-service professional development through participation in teacher enhancement programmes. The aim is to maintain a high standard of teaching and to retain a high-quality teacher workforce.

Principal, Ms. Tania Joshi ably assisted by Ms. Sukhmeen Cheema, vice principal, took up the onerous task of inspiring the colleagues in a session based on Dr. Stephen Coveys popular book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, on 29 June 2018. [gallery link="file" order="DESC"] The workshop began with an ice breaker activity - all teachers were required to sit in groups. The groups were asked to choose a name and a quote/song/poem which best conveyed their personas. It was quite interesting to watch the introductions one group sang ek ajnabi teacher se mulaquat ho gayi, while another chorused hum saath saath hai. The the less musical ones showed their ingenuity with their choice of names: Nine Gems, Rainbow, The Avengers, to name a few. Basically, the names highlighted the eclectic groupings.

Delighted at the response, Ms. Joshi explained the significance of a persons character, calling it a collection of habits. Habits consist of knowledge, skill, and desire. While knowledge allows us to know what to do, skill gives us the ability to know how to do it and desire motivates us to do it. Teachers should keep these in mind to ensure both professional and personal growth.

Ms. Cheema, with the help of a power point presentation focused on the need to be proactive, have a well-defined goal, and prioritise work in order to be effective and ensure success, happiness, and satisfaction in whatever one does. She spoke about what is important and what is urgent. Priority should be given in the following order: 1) Important and Urgent 2) Important and not Urgent 3) Not Important and Urgent 4) Not Important and not Urgent

The teachers could relate to the topic and with much excitement listed tasks and assignments in appropriate columns!

Humour was added to the already engaging session when the teachers of the primary wing -Priya Manchanda, Pratima Roy, Mehak Gumber, Mahima Kapoor, Himanshi Tyagi and Rakh, in a riveting role play, showcased four classroom situations. The depiction of the teachers handling of classroom behaviour had a cathartic effect on those present. Many saw an unpleasant likeness of themselves on the stage! The teachers were asked to reflect upon and suggest the appropriate course of action in each of the challenging scenarios. This led to some introspection and gave everyone present a chance to identify their shortcomings and take appropriate measures.

The session stressed upon the pre-requisites of a successful teacher who provides a win/win atmosphere of learning. Job satisfaction of a teacher is directly proportional to the effective learning by students. This is possible only if the teacher makes an effort to understand first, and then be understood - which means one has to be a good and patient listener.

Effective learning is not a result of one mans effort but it is the habit of creative co-operation, team work, open mindedness and a spirit of adventure to find new solutions to old problems.

Last but not the least, to be effective one must achieve a suitable balance between actually producing and improving ones capability to produce, through continual learning.

The whole experience can be summed up as extremely engaging and informative. The teachers felt empowered to synergise with their students and colleagues in future and pursue continuous development in their personal and interpersonal spheres.

Ms. Vandana Tewari