“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”- Helen Keller
Knowledge is powerful, but it’s much more powerful when it’s shared! The organization’s progress depends on how well the team members collaborate with each other. Instead of individuals in possession of the knowledge of doing something; when the same know-how is shared on a common platform with collaborators; then the doors are opened to a whole host of benefits!
Educational and teaching expertise is a powerful gift, especially when shared. Sharing each other’s experiences can help discover these successful behaviours and strategies and promote their adoption. Sharing their expertise means having new conversations that open up what they have learnt to a new perspective, helping them and others to grow. Sharing good practice builds a teachers’ reputation and contributes to their professional value. Rather than telling people, they’re an expert, sharing lets other teachers discover it for themselves in a way that helps them to raise their own level of expertise.
Sharing good practice is a great start. However, sharing alone isn’t enough.
David Hargreaves explains it best in ‘A self-improving school system: towards maturity’
“The people who originally designed the new practice had to develop it over time, learning to adjust it in minor ways until it assumed its final shape. But this learning on the job is difficult to transmit to a listener or reader, who without help and support may find that the transfer is simply too difficult and so give up. The practice was shared, certainly, but not actually transferred.
However, if the sharing also includes mentoring and coaching, then the necessary help and support are at hand, so when problems in the attempted transfer arise, they can be talked through and demonstrated with reassuring encouragement.”
How can we teachers and educators collaborate with each other?
Videos of the classroom practices of successful teachers provide a means to identify exactly how they are being successful. These videos can be annotated with detailed, specific explanations of exactly what is happening in their teaching practice.
Subject teachers may sit together and exchange thoughts, plans for the classes, use instructional tools and design your micro plans.
Discussion forums are an effective way to share your thoughts and expertise with the group.
Co-Curricular activities may be planned with your buddy teachers and the results will be a great experience for your students.
My own experience
As a teacher, I find that the touchpoints from respective subjects provide a great platform to know the best practices followed and that can be adopted, without having to reinvent, in our classes.
While studying the behavioural issues of a child we teachers discuss ways and means to contribute to the development and betterment of the child and follow the same.
I have always collaborated with other teachers when in doubt while planning for the classes or while using instructional tools. Also have contributed and learnt through discussions with teachers on micro-planning and successful delivery of lessons to the class.
I have worked together with teachers in planning the assemblies or learning showcase. I have learnt a lot and the final outcome has been exceptional as compared to the individual approach.
The 73rd Republic Day was celebrated with pride and reverence at Ekya School, Byrathi by Grades 1-4. The celebration started off with a short speech highlighting the significance of our constitution. A plethora of activities were organised to infuse the spirit of unity, brotherhood, and patriotism among the students.
The students of Grades 1 and 2 made an Indian tricolour flag with pulses as a craft activity. Wherein, Grade 3 showcased their creative skills by participating in a Tricolour Thumbprint Bookmark activity. The students of Grade 4, we're encouraged to take part in the activity which involves the making of “Unity Dolls” depicting various themes related to Republic Day.
The session came to an end with the National Anthem. It was indeed yet another time of vibrance and enthusiasm.
Empathy is the ability to understand a person’s emotions and feelings. It is an essential component for both social as well as personal lives. It is the ability or trait to understand other people’s values, beliefs, and cultures. Empathy is the power of connection. It is a sensation of experiencing what the other person is going through. We need empathy because it’s the main trait that helps us form social bonds with each other. We feel more attached to other people when we understand them.
As Jane Goodall, the British anthropologist aptly said “Empathy is really important. Only when our clever brain and our human heart work together in harmony can we achieve our full potential”.
The virtual assembly conducted by Grade 5, on 4th February 2022 began with a melodious prayer sung by Avni Saxena, which was followed by the ‘The thought for the day and ‘the News’ presented by Kalyan Tejas and Amy Mathew respectively, who gave us an insight into empathy and updated us about the recent news.
Highlighting the importance of empathy through a video and a PowerPoint presentation was done by Vivaan Talwar. This medium enabled students to understand the significance of empathy and how just by trying to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and how just by trying to understand another’s, this world would be a better place. Students who witnessed this virtual assembly were given an opportunity to share their experiences in displaying empathy to others in their community. A video on the difference between empathy and sympathy was apt as it emphasized not only the contrast between both values but also educated everyone to be kind, generous, and empathetic to those in need.
Our School HOS, Ms. Shubhra Sinha, shared her thoughts about the importance of empathy which should be revealed through our deeds and words, especially in these tough times where all human interactions have considerably reduced and the sense of empathy is lost. She encouraged everyone to practice empathy in simple ways that could make their personal life, as well as others', lives a little better.
The MC of the show, Twisha requested the students to give their views on the topic and the class received positive remarks in the Padlet shared with them. The assembly ended with the national anthem.
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