Keneile-ü suokhrie is a higher secondary school teacher from Tuensang, Nagaland. Her keen interest in learning about different cultures and people makes her empathetic and has also influenced her ways of handling the classroom. Encouraging students to peer learn by giving group activities is one of the ways she prefers teaching in class.  

Tell us about yourself

I am a higher secondary teacher at Government higher secondary school at Tuensang district of Nagaland. Apart from my work I enjoy doing a lot of other activities. In my free time I engage in learning about people from different backgrounds. Getting to know different people from diverse backgrounds in one of my hobbies. It helps me understand their culture and learn about their perceptions and beliefs. I also like learning about different lifestyles, their food habits and their traditional attires.

What is your most preferred way of teaching?

In order to teach students, a teacher needs to use different kind of methods as they understand and learn topics through many mediums. I use a combination of teaching strategies in the classroom. Some of my most preferred ways of teaching are giving the class group activities as it helps the students interact and peer learn with their friends. To increase retention I encourage my students to do frequent revisions of concepts taught as well.

What motivated you to become a teacher?

Children are the future of the country. Thus, teaching for me is an opportunity to contribute towards a better future if the nation. The fact that you have an everlasting impact on the mind of your learners as a teacher motivated me to be a teacher because life purpose for me is to leave our imprints in the heart and mind of the learners for better today and tomorrow.

What is your best memory so far as a teacher?

For me the best memories will be Learning the testimonials of my ex-students that what I had taught them years ago in the class still guides them. Even if they're no more in my school and have graduated now, currently studying in colleges of their choice. I was able to teach good values to them which has made them responsible adults. My teachings have reached their heart and I have been successful in encouraging them to abstain them from alcoholism and drug abuse. I feel I am privileged to take class on alcoholism and drug abuse as part of my zoology topic in class 12 science stream.

What is your favourite section of Gurushala and why?

Gurushala provides multiple resources to help students and teachers from all over the country. For Teachers there is the course module and content library section, which provides multiple resources for enhancing teaching strategies. However, my favourite section of Gurushala is the Express yourself section. As I mentioned, I like learning about people from different backgrounds. I feel the best section of Gurushala is stories shared by teachers from all over India. It's a morale booster

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

I believe I have been empowered through Gurushala to speak on issues that plagues our society as well as issues and challenges facing our smooth functioning in delivery of quality education. It's a boon for dedicated teachers to get a voice at a time when society often neglects the teaching community as group or community of lesser intellectual capabilities. 

What according to you is a 21st Century Teacher?

A teacher is ever learning and unlearning! Flexible to accommodate the needs of the learners, always ready to reach out to learners with any new method, even if it's an out of the box idea in order to ensure quality education reaches to every learner within the safety of their homes as well as building safe environment for the learners to ensure their holistic growth.

What is your life motto as a teacher?

“Educate the heart of the child. The mind will follow suit “. As a teacher, my motto is to educate the heart of the child. Make children more compassionate and considerate human beings. And the heart of the child gets educated, the mind will follow suit. 

How do you wish to bring change in the society?

Amidst many things a teacher is capable of doing, the biggest contribution towards bringing a change in the society is by moulding the children’s future into the best way possible, so that end up becoming responsible adults and members of their community.

About the author