Vitthal Sidrayai Athani is a Mathematics teacher at Katreshwar High School Katarkhatav in Satara, Maharashtra who teaches students of standard 8th to 10th. He believes in bringing more interactive and innovative ways of teaching to enrich the process of learning.

Tell us about yourself

I am a Math teacher in my school and have always looked forward to seeing my students learning with enthusiasm in my class. My aim has always been to make the subject of Mathematics as interesting as possible for easy understanding of my students. I try innovative methods and aim to provide the best possible guidance to my students for their advancement. Interacting with students,spending my time in the classroom and contributing my bit in the field of education are activities which bring happiness to me. Sports,yoga and meditation also interests me and I strive to keep my mind and body healthy through these activities. I believe good health and positive mindset is of utmost importance for every individual.

What is your most preferred way of teaching?

I try to involve my students in the process of learning. It is my constant effort to strengthen the foundation of my students and help them proceed further in education. A mix of different approaches and techniques is my preferred way of teaching.

What motivated you to become a teacher?

The motivation to become a teacher germinated during the initial years of my education. When I was in the first standard of my school years, our science teacher Mr. C.M. Gortande was one of the finest teachers I have seen in my life. He was very interactive and considerate with every student. His teaching style was quite unique and fascinating to me. This motivated me to take teaching as a profession and be innovative in this field. By being creative and interactive, teachers can definitely bring many positive changes to the whole process of learning. 

What is your best memory so far as a teacher?

In my opinion, a teacher's profession is full of beautiful memories. For me,one particular incident really fuels my dedication to serve better in this field. In my earlier school at Khojewadi, one student lacked the foundational understanding and couldn't even write properly. I took it upon myself to ensure that she can overcome that phase. With her hardwork and my guidance, there was a big change in her attitude and performance in studies. Not only she started doing well in her studies, there was a new spirit in her for becoming better. She used to show me her work and get excited on receiving positive remarks. Seeing that child grow and become comfortable with the process of learning is one of the finest memories that I have had. As teachers we want nothing but success for our students.

How were you introduced to Gurushala?

I was introduced to Gurushala through the works of Mr. Abhishek and Miss Seema from Pratham Foundation. After an introductory discussion with them,I got involved with Gurushala and joined their group. During the period of lockdown,I became quite enthusiastic with the process of learning and content creation from Gurushala and as a result, I have received more than 64 certificates from Gurushala. 

What is your favorite section of Gurushala and why?

There are many great features and programs of Gurushala. What piqued my interest is the facility of content creation and learning modules provided by Gurushala. This helps teachers to adopt innovative ways in the regular teaching techniques. It also helped us in the field of ICT by enhancing our skills and providing us a medium to connect faster with students.

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

The lectures,learning modules and ICT lessons and tools provided by Gurushala have helped me a lot. I have learnt many new concepts and techniques through Gurushala. Some of the skills like creating PPT have been very helpful to me. Further, Gurushala has helped me in my own process of learning and growth as an individual. Those 64 courses have been very beneficial for me.

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

I have participated in many events and programs of Gurushala. As mentioned earlier,I have gained a lot through the feature of content creation techniques from Gurushala. Every now and then,I create interactive and engaging content for my students and share it on WhatsApp and other social media for easy access. This has benefited me and my students a lot in gaining the best out of the whole process.

What according to you is a 21st Century Teacher?

A 21st century teacher should be an active individual who is considerate and enthusiastic about the profession of teaching. They should actively engage with their students and guide them at every crucial step. A sound understanding of digital means and ICT has also become imperative over the years. Further,the teacher should be mindful of the needs and demands of students. They should constantly strive to help students excel not in studies but also in life.

What is your life motto as a teacher?

My life motto as a teacher has always been to become a good guide for my students. I envision my students to become talented,strong and responsible individuals who never shy away from taking up challenges. My goal is to motivate and help my students become a better version of themselves. Seeing students perform better in the classroom and life gives us immense joy. It motivates us to be consistent in our journey as teachers. Small gestures of gratitude from our students are one of the biggest gifts to us.

How do you wish to bring change in society?

I want to bring a more practical approach in the field of teaching. As a changemaker,I want to bring more interactive methodologies and techniques to the field of education. Every individual in our society should be an active learner and be open to new things. Progress can only be achieved when we break free from the shackles of age-old methodologies and adopt newer ways which are more efficient and in sync with the current conditions. It is imperative for each one of us to be more responsible and innovative with the process of preparing progress. 

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