Shivpreet Kaur (she/her)

Fourth grade teacher • Genesis Global School • Noida, India

How did you get into teaching?

It all started when I was doing Masters in Business Administration. As a part of the curriculum, I participated in debate competitions and thought provoking presentations which would then lead to constructive discussions and deep inquiry. This was the time when I seriously thought of pursuing teaching as a profession.

Teaching is just like catering to different taste buds. You cook different dishes as per the guest’s choice or look for the ways to make the dish tempting for the person who doesn’t like it initially. Similarly, a teacher uses a variety of teaching methods to impart knowledge and come up with innovative ways to make the subject fun for students. Exploring the art of teaching and the opportunity to be around kids, who are always full of energy, kept me in this profession.

(On a lighter note, I remember my aunt, who was also a teacher, telling me that if you want to stay young, be a teacher).

Teaching students brings with it a variety of small pleasures. I treasure the memories we create, the innocent yet intelligent questions they ask, and the amusing stories they tell. And, when a student who has been struggling with a concept finally understands it, that satisfaction of seeing their faces light up adds to the job satisfaction. Teaching is a profession that allows you to return to your roots as a student. It is a lifelong process of learning.

Who was the teacher who made the most positive impact on your life?

Ms. Veena Dheer, my Math teacher in Grade 3 and Ms. Lizzy Joseph, my English teacher in grade 6. These two teachers I cherish the most in my memories. 

They were enthusiastic, charming, and witty. Both of them used a variety of methods to deliver content that was more engaging for us. Their excitement transformed the classroom into an exhilarating setting. For a student like me who used to despise Maths, the quality of instruction and getting us excited about the concepts made a significant impact. Their approach to each student, their manner of speaking, their friendliness, and, most all, their patience in answering questions is something I strive to replicate in my own teaching pedagogy and would like my students to remember me for. 

What is a professional inquiry you are currently pursuing?

How do we incorporate basic human values into education?

I have recently started with the school team to work on curriculum development and implementation of SEE Learning in the classroom. All learning and success require social-emotional learning. Students learn how to understand and control emotions, set and achieve positive objectives, feel and exhibit empathy for others, form and sustain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions with the support of social, emotional and ethical learning.

Children do not come into the world knowing how to control their emotions, solve problems, or get along with people. These skills must be acquired at every stage of human development. The Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in school closures and protracted lockdown, has only reinforced the importance of social-emotional learning.

What is a personal inquiry you are currently pursuing?

How can my own son help me understand teaching and learning better?

Seeing that students in the cities rarely have a chance to experience village life, I produce my own videos with props and puppets to share with them. I use storytelling and connect them with the units of inquiry. This is one way to introduce them to village life.

I also have a six year-old son, Zoravar, who is lucky enough to experience the blend of both city and village life. When I see him doing things and the way he makes connections inspires me to bring this mix to my classroom.

What three best ideas you have to improve the teaching profession?

#1 - Establish relationships. It is critical to have a firm foundation and connections based on respect and trust if we want effective learning to occur. We notice students in class who refuse to talk or communicate with their classmates. They are in the class but aren't ready to interact or ask questions or express doubts. The lack of connection is the root of this behaviour. That same child will perform wonders in family connections, friendships, and acquaintanceships once a connection is established. As a result, investing in connections is very important. We should talk to students about their hobbies, current events, sports, and anything else that isn't relevant to the curriculum. We can also tell them about ourselves, including hilarious stories from our personal life. All of these talks allow students to interact with you outside of your role as a teacher, and they feel at ease much more.

#2 - Encourage unstructured play. Nowadays, students are more likely to engage in structured than unstructured play. They should be given the opportunity to investigate their surroundings and various materials. We are rushing children from one activity to the next, oblivious to the fact that their brains require rest.

 They must be free to pursue their natural desire to play. They learn to enjoy themselves while doing so, which helps students think independently and build decision-making skills. This will increase their self-esteem, as well as their emotional, physical, and social well-being.

#3 - Remember that every child is unique. Every student develops at his or her own rate and in their own unique way. Nonetheless, we compare them. We are boosting their stress and anxiety levels, whether we realise it or not, and making them believe that everyone is better than they are. Allow students to develop at their own rate while we focus on our role of nurturing, encouraging, and providing a stimulating atmosphere.

You gotta see this!  Children Show Off Their Favorite Books

Thank you, Shivpreet!