Gurushala

Stories of Indian Classrooms

Tackling Challenges Creatively: A Teacher Story from Maharashtra

By Gurushala

| 04 Dec 2021

More Gitanjali Sanjay from Maharashtra teaches students of class 5 to 7. She likes experimenting with various teaching techniques to understand what works for her students. She majorly enjoys activity-based teaching and learning. In her spare time, she likes to read about health related topics and watch videos on teaching approaches.

Let’s get to know about her teaching methods and her experiences as a teacher!

What is your most preferred way of teaching?

I usually teach through a lecture method, followed by sharing videos and images, through textbooks, games and group activities. However, my most preferred way of teaching is activity-based learning as it allows students to connect concepts with real life situations and understand how to implement it.

What motivated you to become a teacher?

One of my fourth-grade teachers inspired me to become a teacher. Her teaching style and her demeanor as a teacher was excellent. She constantly placed a priority on communication skills. For example, when she used to teach poems in a subject like Marathi or Hindi, she constantly encouraged us to sing orally without reading in the initial classes. In subjects such as Math, while she was teaching tables, she asked us to read it out loud in every session. As a result, it was simple for us to recall. We never had to do much at home. She helped us revise everything in class only.

What is your best memory so far as a teacher?

I recall one incident from my time as a fifth-grade teacher. As we all know, kids enjoy fast food, and I saw a lot of it in my class, our trash cans were overflowing with it. So, I decided to change it. In class, I had an interesting idea for creating a savings bank. I chose one leader from the girls in class and one from the boys who are strong in Math and calculation. So, I opened everyone's savings account and informed them that I would refund it at the time of our vacation.

Usually, when kids get their pocket money, they spend it all on fast food. But then they attempt to save it rather than spending it on food, they also switch to healthy food. I could see the happiness on their faces while they got the money returned. And some children decided to spend their savings to buy books for next year, some thought to buy a gift for their parents, some thought to buy a gift for their friends. Through this, they also understood the importance of savings.

How has Gurushala helped you in your journey as a teacher?

In October, 2019, I was introduced to Gurushala. There was one workshop where I got to know about Gurushala. Then I started my journey with Gurushala. During lockdown, I attended many sessions and participated in many activities of Gurushala. I like their webinars where they invite the experts from different fields and it really inspires us to attend. These are on topics like health, challenges faced by teachers, its solutions, new teaching methods etc.

My previous teaching techniques were activity-based but they lacked the use of technology. Gurushala has taught us how to use technology effectively during times of lockdown. I took part in the Teacher Change Maker Award and received a certificate for coming second in the competition. Apart from that, I have seen classroom management, activity-based learning course modules and a variety of other modules. Also, the methods used by Gurushala to connect with their teachers such as the content library, Staffroom and so on are really good.

What according to you is a 21st Century Teacher?

Teachers' bonding with their students and parents is similar to that of a family. Because technology can educate children, but machines cannot comprehend their mental states, teachers are absolutely important for that. As we can see in today's world, many parents are working. As a result, they are unable to give adequate time to their children. That is why, after parents, I believe that only teachers can provide the affection of parents, siblings or friends. Teachers do effective work in a short period of time. I believe that the function of teachers in the twenty-first century for children and society is similar to that of a builder because educating allows children to grow. It will only be a decent society if they can adopt good qualities. As a result, the future of India lies in the hands of their teachers. Hence, the role of a teacher is crucial. Also, I feel there is a lot of value in our education system but value education i.e. teaching values to students is something that should be taught in practice.

How do you wish to bring change in society?

Because our school is located in a rural area, I have seen that many children do not have mobile phones, or if they do, they do not have the money to recharge them regularly. So, I believe the government should give some equipment for students like these such as a tablet or a phone so that they may learn as well. They should do something for children who have good qualities and skills but come from an underprivileged background.

Finally, I would like to remind the teachers who are reading this that we should be nice with students so they feel comfortable sharing their problems with us so we can address them. And every teacher should be aware of their students' particular abilities. Some excel in sports, while others excel at academics. As a result, teachers should treat children in an equal manner, as well as support them and communicate with their parents about their abilities because many parents are often not aware of it.