Ms. Sunita Sharma is a teacher from Delhi and teaches at Sadbhawana Siksha Sadan School in North East Delhi. She believes in handling studnets with kindess and being a friend to them. This interview documents her journey as a teacher and the strategies she implements in her classroom.

Tell us about yourself

After graduating from college, I started taking tuition classes for children. During that phase of teaching, I realised that I really enjoy this work. Since then, I had decided to pursue teaching as a full-time profession. It has really transformed into my passion and I love my work.

What is your most preferred way of teaching?

Amidst many strategies that I use in the classroom, group activities are one of my most preferred way of teaching. I think it help students to develop good interpersonal relationship among themselves. Apart from group activities, I also give them examples through short stories and explain them the concepts and topics which makes it very easy and less complicated for them to understand and memorise. Drawing from real life examples and past experience makes the concept more relatable for the students    
  

What motivated you to become a teacher?

My passion for teaching was realised when I started teaching tuition classes to students. However, my biggest motivation has been my parents who supported me in my journey towards becoming a teacher. They made me realise the prospects of choosing this career, my passion for the profession and how I feel happy anf enjoy being and working around children.

What is your best memory so far as a teacher?

I remember once there was an activity held at school where along with the students, we had built a clay refrigerator. As students have never experienced something like this and it was very new for them, they were very curious and excited. To see their curiosity towards understanding mechanisms of cooling and how older generations used to keep things refrigerated was heart-warming to see. For me, it is quite a memory as everyone was so involved in the learning process and it was very satisfying to the happy faces of my students.

How were you introduced to Gurushala?

One of the teachers from our school has been associated with Gurushala, and she introduced me to this online portal. She told me that Gurushala provides resources and tools to enhance teaching and learning outcomes along with helping to implement a suitable ICT curriculum in class. She also explained us how it is helpful for us to learn and teach our students and cope up with the coming generation and digital world.

What is your favourite section of Gurushala and why?

  One of my favourite section of Gurushala is the content library section. It contains many short-animated videos on different topics and different languages which are suitable for all kids. These videos are although short, it is very powerful in delivering the concept. These are really well-made videos and only in just 2-5 minutes children can learn so much about the broad points of the topic. It is an example of how out of the box ideas help in teaching students better.

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

When the pandemic had just started, I struggled to teach students online. Never having done it before, I faced few difficulties in understanding the right technology and compatible teaching methods. In this crucial time, Gurushala helped me a lot in understanding the intricacies of online teaching. I can say that I am good at online teaching because Gurushala guided me how to plan lessons and make videos that in simple language and easy for the students to grasp.

In what activities/ events of Gurushala have you participated in?

I have participated in many quizzes organised by Gurushala. I must say that it is a very unique  and interesting way to gain more knowledge and updating oneself with recent events.

What according to you is a 21st Century Teacher?

According to me, the teacher should be friendly with their students. Everyone is aware of the social media has entered the lifestyle of the younger audience and how many children are addicted to it from an early age. This leads to more frequent conflict between children and adults who are concerned about them. They refuse to comply when you speak to them in harsh tone but they will listen and understand when we speak to them as a friend. In my opinion, wherever needed, we should be little strict but where it is not necessary and things can be sorted out by negotiation and conversation, we should choose the route of kindness and friendliness and make them comfortable around us.

What is your life motto as a teacher?

As a teacher, my motto is to help and make my students’ career bright. As teachers, our one and only goal is to teach them how to be a better person, inculcate good values and motivate them to excel in any field they choose to build their careers in and be on top in their respective field. I try to give my best to them and I always stand for the ones who need a little extra care.

How do you wish to bring change in the society?

As my life revolves around my students my only wish is to bring out the best in them. Therefore, I try to implement continuous learning and update myself in order to give them better lessons and knowledge. I want people to know that it is challenging for us to make their career so I want support for teachers. They should all get respect from people for their service. They should not take granted and should be equally be treated as other professions.

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