Challenges are the part of our life as we accepted the profession of a teacher. It’s not new to us rather it’s an everyday thing to us. Let me take this opportunity and narrate few challenges that I have dealt with.
My first tough experience as a Pre-KG teacher was with Jr. KG and Sr. KG children. They write down or copy exactly whatever I have written on the board. I explained them that they have enough space to write it continuously in their notebooks rather than exactly copying the matter. Over the time they adapt and they learn with the help of teachers, parents and other family members. In Environment Studies once I asked them who gives us milk. One of the tiny tot immediately replied “The Milkman” instead of “The Cow.” Which produced laughter in our classroom and that made me think that they need Actual Work Experiences.
As I got promoted to Primary level, things were more difficult and different. I changed myself according to the requirements. To clear their concepts, we have to work hard and use many teaching aids, methods, techniques, strategies; Keeping in mind, the diverse classroom and multiple intelligences theory of Howard Gardner. Few aids are provided by school itself like Globe and maps, and few we have to make using our creative minds. We scaffold them at every stage. Fusion of Modern Technology and Traditional Methods merged and went hand in hand. Especially 3-D concepts are easily taught through smart board in Science and Social Sciences. While doing this, at the same time we have to keep in mind that over usage of technical and digital aids will also cause confusion in their tender minds. We have to use mnemonic too, to enhance their memory. Well-known mnemonics like VIBGYOR for Rainbow colours, My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos for planets. And few developed mnemonic like “2A’s 3M’s 1N 1T” for keeping seven sisters in mind can be used.
Here I felt the work of teacher is 24X7, yes; always engage ourselves thinking what might help children to understand concepts in best way and in this explosive informational and technological world.
Thus as a facilitator, we all have to go through various or plenty of challenges which later turn into our Experience and we take them undoubtly in a positive way. What say, teachers?! Ready for a new day…….
Sulakshana Mahishi
PRT teacher
City International School Kothrud.