Palki - Break from school

Could not go to the school for 3 days due to the festival of Palki in Pune. Missed the school, class and students! 

Did get the time to run, keep up to date with news and connect with more people. Most throats were sore and noses were choked. Days were spent in classroom sessions focussed more on practice than theory. Was enjoyable.

SchoolTeam Meeting on Saturday was low key compared to the previous one. Was wonderful to listen to Megan Fallone of Barefoot College  in Leadership Development Forum. 

After days of uncertainty, did manage to make the home visits. Nothing dramatic but somethings were sure surprising. Hmmm ...

Next week is going to be much more hectic with Eid, PTM, night stay and ownership day. Bring it on.

#TeachForIndia

Day 4 & Day 5 of school

Teaching English is definitely not same as teaching Maths. I knew that already. What I had not thought about was the class may be less interested. It showed, I struggled. No one had to jump into assist though, I was able to maintain the hold.

With the objective of "describing reaction to text and own response", I covered the prologue to I Am Malala and a poem from the text book. Pity, no-one did suggested homework.

While I spoke to students about visiting their homes, got to know later in afternoon that we won't even visit the school duet Palaki festival. Called students to inform change of plans.

Surprisingly, did not have any sessions scheduled in the afternoon/evening. So, I spent time catching up with news, family, friends and works. Much needed ME time.

#TeachForIndia

Me Sunday

Slept till late to rest and recuperate. Did wake up just in time for breakfast and coffee. Was a lovely morning but felt groggy.

Visited a community where friend's NGO is working. Saw the kids engaged in creative and thinking board games, learnt Uno. Heard some of the people of the community.

Lunch was at a Parsee restaurant. Food was great, even though we did not eat what we actually ordered. Felt a lot better.

Evening was spent in going over the lesson plan, morning meeting and closing circle.

#TeachForIndia

Busy Saturday ...

Finally got some more time to sleep. Had completed the lesson plan yesterday evening. Sessions were scheduled to start only at 0800 today.

Breakfast was followed by the school team meeting, 1st week of teaching was celebrated and reflected upon. Head of Arpan then spoke about child sexual abuse in the leadership development forum. And finally we had a discussion on child safety.

Team mate was sick, gave him medicines after lunch. Packed and travelled to the new campus, journey took more than 1hr. Got in the room and unpacked. Ran to library and print room for books and prints. They will be closed tomorrow.

Glad we have a laundry on campus here. Costly but quick, very useful.

Met with team to plan for Monday, took a pill for the sore throat, could sleep well before midnight. Remembered to cancel the alarm and set the phone in silence mode.

#TeachForIndia 

Day 3 of School

Yesterday's samosa did not go down well. Had to wake up 0330. Glad I had turned in relatively early last night.

Tried to teach reading a frequency table and making inferences from it, using a poll on the values and rules in class. Worked beautifully. It is so satisfying when the class answers correctly. Was kind of a holiday for teachers, so helped to manage some non-teaching procedures too.

Class seemed more disruptive, other teammates too felt the burn. At the same time I got to connect with a boy. Heated to join the military and said that he needs to he strong, beefy to do that. He listened with rapt attention when I told him about the NDA. Will take some printed information for him in the next class.

My last day of Maths. Will work with English next week.

Look forward to the new campus and new subject.

#TeachForIndia

Day 2 of School

Thursday, 23 June

Picking up from yesterday, tried to teach Frequency Table using the connection of raw food, cooking and cooked delicious dishes. Ws delighted to find that class had remembered the lesson from yesterday. Also, there were more students in the class.

Unlike yesterday, all classes could be held. Spoke to a few students during lunch before coming back for my own classes. Learnt more about teaching.

This is hectic but enjoyable.

#TeachForIndia

Day 1 of School

Wednesday, 22 June

Oh yes, I will teach today, woke with that spirit at 0445. Tried waking up team, telephone network was down. Something was wrong with the water in shower, had to crouch under the tap. Put up the charts in classroom but was asked to remove as the classrooms were new and administration did not want to damage the walls. Not a great start to the day!

Felt alive in the classroom. Tackled the matters of significance of data, various ways of collecting and arranging data using Cricket. Mention of Tendulkar and Kohli helped to engage the class. I seem to have converted at least one student ...

There sure were some disruptions and apologies too ...

Lessons on English and Science planned by teammates could not happen due to a function, lesson on Social Studies sure happened.

Students wouldn't have me not share their lunch. Was back in my training school for more sessions and preparation in the afternoon.

Good beginning.

#TeachForIndia

Preparation for the class

Tuesday, 21 June

Finally had the sessions for Lesson Planning, Presence & Voice and Behaviour Management - all things new, relevant and interesting. Planned for the lesson in the evening and worked till late preparing charts for class - theme, goals, values, rules, etc. Am just lucky to have people good with drawing and writing in the group.

I will be the first of the four Fellows in Grade 8 tomorrow. Am excited. 

#TeachForIndia

Classroom and Teaching, the Beginning

Monday, 20 June 2016

The perspective of sessions has certainly shifted from the forest to the tree. Learnt about School Planning, Classroom Management, Investing Students, Developing Relationships and building Reflection in Students. Did find some time for lunch and coffee in the midst of all this. On recommendation, visited the Harry Potter classrooms, was awestruck.

Did Whole Brain Thinking - skit and discussion. As usual, I came out as rational. logical and straight forward with focus on the goal. I surprised myself by playing the character well :)

Finally started preparing for the classroom - theme, goals, charts. Have scheduled pick up of books from library, will do it tomorrow. 

I am going to teach from Wednesday - mathematics for this week. Bring it on !!!

#TeachForIndia

Institute Journey - Beginning of teacher training

Sunday, 19 June 2016

Woke up with a severe headache, did not for the jog, slept an hour more. Guess I was just hungry. Felt better after breakfast.

Another say of learning started in the earnest at 0800. Beginning with the session on institute journey, had the first few long sessions towards teacher training - children, context, teaching, learning - before breaking for lunch. Had sessions about facilitating culture of learning, backwards planing and planning for school.

Integrated School Curriculum was the document was exactly what I was looking for. Now we all know what all we will try and achieve in the class in Pune. Everyone in a collar gets to teach all the subjects. Teaching will begin on Wednesday.

Meeting of the Learning Circle was refreshingly new. Got to understand my own notions of I/mine and others. Completed the group and individual assignments after dinner and slept by 0100.

Whoever said it would not be difficult ! The instructors are superhumans !!
It is a wonder that I got some time to call and speak to Mom !!

#TeachForIndia

Teaching is Leadership

Saturday, 18 June 2016

Today was mostly about leadership - the journey. I was genuinely surprised to see that people use similar adjectives to describe both good teachers and good leaders. Ergo, Teaching is Leadership.

Here at TFI, it is not only about the leadership of teachers, it is also about student leadership. We even have defined 5 milestones on this leadership journeys of students and teachers.

There was an interesting discussion on refection - what, why, how. Was refreshingly nice to hear different views. We did find it difficult to separate reflection from sharing of reflection. But hey, we sure have started reflecting - a necessary act to progress in the leadership development journey.

Evening was reserved for the learning circle, to speak about our lives, our journeys so far. Hmmm, am in the midst of some pretty brave people. I feel lucky !!!

#TeachForIndia

Movement of Leaders and the Leaders of Movement

Friday, 17 June 2016

Today was a longer day than the previous ones, work started at 0700. 

It started with trying to understand the problem of educational inequity. It is a wicked problem - a kind that that is messy, is not well understood and solutions cannot be tested easily. Went to the community to figure out what exactly is the problem, spoke to a headmaster, children and parents. Yes, every stakeholder has a different perspective and prescription.

Had a discussion about social movements in the afternoon. We believe that everyone can be a leader. How do we start, grow and nurture the movement for educational equity - movement of leaders and leaders of movement!

Finally in the evening got introduced to the Mumbai team - staff and fellows. Theme for this year is Bollywood. Of course, what else!

It is confirmed now, I will teach Grade 8 during this training (summer school). Still do not know the subject though. Will find out soon. From colour group to city group to the learning circle, we are going full steam now. I guess I will start trying to teach early next week.

#TeachForIndia

Possibility

What is possible? Impossible is nothing! That was the theme of the day.

Starting with sessions on the journey of TFI, moving onto the culture of TFI, we heard 3 students and a teacher connected with TFI. It was an inspiration. If they could achieve what they have with whatever they had, imagine what each one of us could achieve with everything that we have. Attempting to do the best we can with whatever we have opens the door for significant achievements. It is all in the mind, believe.

Community visit activity was completely unexpected - crating sculptures from garbage, with a very limited list of items that we were allowed to use. This is what we created ...

Working towards touching the lives of one million children in next phase, the target is really ambitions. Think about the impact of making excellent education to these many students, it is POSSIBLE. #TeachForIndia

You are so fine, you blow my mind

Go fellows, go fellows. Go fellows, you're so fine. You're so fine, you blow my mind!

Yes, we were welcomed with those shouts by the alumni at the welcome ceremony. But, before I come to that, after a sleepless night, the day started early at 0500. Had to reporter the sessions by 0800 after chores and breakfast. Glad, I was not late.

The theme of the day day was Dr Seuss - including the addresses by SM. Did you know that only 5% of TFI Fellows come from East India? Even the Fellows from outside India make up 5%. North, West and South of India contribute almost equally. The activity with orange was unexpected, the community visit to connect with children was usual and the debriefing was interesting. Got to meet many more fellow Fellows and alumni.

And then came the welcome ceremony, attended by children, parents and alumni too. The shouting welcome, to the say the least, was pleasantly different. While the ceremony ended with handing of the symbolic firkin to the incoming Felows, the highlight for me a girl for the school delivering a speech welcoming us and giving TIPS for being a good teacher.

Oh! the enormity of responsibilities.

#TeachForIndia

The fun has begun #TeachForIndia

Woke and got up at 0500, courtesy the alarm set on mobile phone. Did chores and final packing. Ate parathas for breakfast, courtesy Mom. Booked and took taxi to the airport after 0800, courtesy Uber. Flights were smooth and on time. Again took taxi to the university, courtesy Uber. Reached the campus just on time at 1700.

Bumped into some known and new faces, kept luggage in room, completed registration/on-boarding formalities.

Completed another assessment, oh yes, I was not even aware of this. This was to assess which grade I wile suitable to teach. Ate dinner, bought some essentials at the store.

Found someone else unpacking in my allocated place, when I returned to room. Kinship, practicality, whatever!

Moved room, unpacked, rested.

Glanced at the itinerary for next 3 days, jam packed. The fun has just begun !!!

#TeachForIndia

Trust, etc.

I have been living at my current place for more than 6 months now. In all this time, I have bought tender coconut water from a pushcart guy fewer than 10 times, usually during the walk from bus stop to home in the evening. Yesterday was one such evening.

I had to travel on a longer route, i was late and thirsty. I was happy to see that he was still selling. Just when I thought of asking for one, I remembered that I was not carrying any money on me. So, instead of asking for a coconut, I told him that I will get some cash and waited in queue for the cash machine, it was at shouting distance.

He shouted, called me to the pushcart and said, "Sir, even if you get the cash from machine, you will not get change and I do not have the same. You drink the coconut water now and pay me next time.". I was pleasantly surprised. I explained to him why I had no cash on me, how I had to borrow cash earlier in the day and took his offer. As expected the water and flesh much more delicious than before.

I got my cash, asked him when he will open in the morning and left. I gave him the money earlier today morning. 

Trust, honesty leading to customer retention, customer delight!

Then I think, 9 years with the employer - does my employer trust me, and dare I introspect, do I trust my employer?

Rape, Punishment & Society

Last week my Facebook page was filled with outpouring of contempt, disgust and hatred for oneself, Indian polity and the society as a whole.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Delhi_gang_rape_case

A lot has been said and done by many ...

1. Tougher laws

2. Death penalty for culprits

3. Swift punishments

4. Candle light vigils

5. Protests and demonstrations

But, the girl is no more. And my Facebook page is now full with New Year wishes. Have we forgotten the incident already? I think I understand most of the sentiments, but am confused with some of the demands being made and actions being taken.

1. Is this just a case of rape? Or this is a symptom of a greater malaise? What is the problem? How would we have reacted if the girl was not raped but shot? Earlier today I read the news about a girl being burnt alive because she rejected a "proposal"by a man. How do we react to this? Is this incident any way similar to  the one of gang rape in Delhi? Would it help the incident of burning if we toughen the punishment to rape? I think the bigger issue here is that of unequal treatment of girls/women in our society. Do we still treat them as objects? Do we still expect them to give in? How do we address this issue?

2. There are laws in plays that prohibit vehicles to have tinted windows. Why was the bus allowed to have tinted windows? Who is the owner of the bus? Is he/she any responsible? Did any one in the public report the bus to police, even for plying with tinted windows? Why not? Where were the traffic cops? Have we tinted the vehicles of our own vehicles?

3. Did anyone help the girl while she lay on the road? Why not?

4. Could this incident have been avoided if we had implemented the existing laws properly? Why did the traffic police not intercept the bus? Is our police force capable of helping us? Can we trust them with the implementation of tougher laws? Or would it become a case of bandar ke haath mein talwaar (monkey with a sword).

5. Was the girl sent to Singapore because her death was inevitable? Is our polity not capable of handling such situations? Are our doctors and medical infrastructure inferior?

Above are the questions that are bothering me. And I don't understand what we achieve by candle light vigils at the India Gate.

Pray, help me understand.

Corruption, Politics, Democracy, Team Anna, India ...

Anna is till speaking at the Jantar Mantar while yours truly could not resist the urge to publish this post. Last couple of days have been very eventful, not just because of the Rakshabandhan and my B'Day. Yesterday Team Anna (TA) decided to make their movement political and today they are announcing/explaining the decision in some detail. I personally am happy with the decision. It is high time we started doing something about changing the whole system - rooting the corruption out of it. Even DS, the person who wrote the first letter to TA to join politics has welcomed the decision. Good that TA wants to take the movement out of the streets and into the parliament. That would be the logical step, or is it?

I have always maintained that, "we can bring about change, we are the change". The movie Yuva (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382383/) captures my thoughts well - common man getting into electoral politics to bring about change. The story of Paritrana (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-01-24/india/27794947_1_iit-bombay-jodhpur-party) is what perhaps needs to be replicated in a much larger scale, all over the country. But alas, most think that this approach is not practical. Yours truly has not done justice by just talking about it but not doing anything about it yet. The moot question is - what can/should be done? I believe the answer to that question can be found by understanding what is wrong in the current system and how the system has ended up in the current state.

Democracy is the government of the people, bu the people, for the people. It is said that politics is the last refuge of all scoundrels. The response to this is that if good people do not get into politics then they should be ready to be ruled/governed by scoundrels. Is it not a no brainer that the citizens are responsible; that the buck stops with the citizens? Will it really be of any help if a small portion of the society tries to force issues by using sit-ins? Do we need a more fundamental change, at the grass roots? Do we need to educate the citizens? Do "good people" need to get into politics? I think that the answer is a resounding YES.

Can we emulate Yuva and Paritrana? Some time back, perhaps last year, AH mentioned something to the effect that Indian electorate is not intelligent. He mentioned that in the context of how easy it is to buy/influence their votes. Today MP, a life long activist, said that TA should think a thousand times before entering into politics; that people acting with morality and principles have been ineffective or have not survived politics. Even SH, the lone crusader from the south, too has reservations about trying to change the system from inside. To top it all, DS said that the ministers and politicians have been elected by the people and if TA thinks they have an alternative then they better prove it. Why are seasoned crusaders skeptical about getting into electoral politics and taking the fight to the parliament? Why does DS seems so confident that TA will not succeed? Most important, what can be done to ensure that TA is successful, what can we do???

Cleaning Toilets & Child Rights

Between the coverage of Olympics and Team Anna's protest many of you would have seen or read about the some reported incidents of students cleaning the toilets of their schools. First, it brought back memories of us sweeping the classroom clean in school. Cleanliness is good hygiene,  it is also part of the culture. We did feel proud to sweep and keep the classroom clean. I was happy to see that students in 2012 too were rooted.

And that is when I read and saw the stories in detail. No, the coverage was not about the good deeds of the children. It was rather about the child rights - children should not be forced to clean the toilets. Yes, I agree that children should be studying and having fun. But should they also not learn about cleanliness? Yes, the government should spend enough on education to employ and pay the cleaners. But till that time are the students expected to use dirty toilets? 

Is it really bad to clean one's own toilet? Is the toilet still not an essential part of home? Why do we still find the toilets of even not so poor households unclean? Perhaps the students learn by doing. Perhaps this will eventually curb the roadside peeing. Many countries require their youngsters to devote at least a year to military or civil service. I guess, cleaning toilets should be an essential part of the experience.

Marriage & Dowry in India

I watched the 3^rd episode of Satyameva Jayate yesterday. The Big fat Indian Wedding. Have you seen it?

The episode started by AK asking what the favourite past time/passion of Indians was. Not surprisingly, the answer was marriage (sic).

He then asks what people want for their marriage, their dreams for marriage. A guy said that he would like to arrive in a helicopter and a girl said that she would like to marry in one of the royal palaces on Rajasthan. It was just 2 minutes into the program and I was feeling disgusted. The voice inside me was shouting – “Please ask these people the same question towards the end of the program. Please do not end this with another letter to some minister or judge.”

In the episode three things stood out for me …

1.    Rani capturing her would be in-laws on camera, making their demands. She did not stop at that, she made the whole recording public. Icing on the cake was a guy was eager to marry her just because of the strength of her character.

2.    The case of the guy who was kidnapped and married off, so that his parents (and/or he himself) cannot ask for dowry.

3.    The case of Bhopal and Bhiwandi where certain communities have made the display of wealth during marriage a taboo.

All these share a similar theme – people dared to think and do different. They were not bogged down by “aisa hee hota hai” attitude. Neither did they stop the reformation to themselves. They took it to the society, to the public in general. Think, what would have happened if Rani and his family had agreed to fulfil the demands; what would have happened if they had just said no and kept quiet.

What stops us from having similar straight and fighting attitude towards everyday life? Only ourselves.

It came through clearly that we should NOT compromise. However small the demand may be, it just degrades the marriage. So, however small the shortcut may be, it compromises the values.

I was really happy that this episode did not end with another letter. I was elated when AK asked the same question again, at the end. (I should become a director or writer, remember the article by Pritish Nandy. His point was not too different from my view of the program.) What really made my day was when the girl who had earlier wanted to marry in the royal palace of Rajasthan, at the end, said that marriages should be minimalistic and if it all it needs to be flashy the bride and groom may share the expenses, NOT the parents!!!

Anyone listening?