Know Your Teacher: ‘My students and I operate as a team,’ says this primary school educator

Jayashree Biswas’s two-decade-long journey at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, began with storytelling classes for pre-primary students. Today, she is an accomplished educator who shaped and influenced the life of many youngsters who went on to achieve success in their respective fields. “It is said students don’t need a perfect teacher; they need a happy teacher. But the secret is our students are the ones who make a teacher happy,” she says.

Read on to know more about her journey:

What inspired you to become a teacher, and what educational background did you pursue to become one?

I consider myself extremely fortunate to get the opportunity of becoming a teacher as it adds a purpose and meaning to my life. For a teacher, each day ushers in immense opportunities of making a difference in the lives of her students. My wonderful journey as a teacher began after my son started going to Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, in 1998. The then Pre-primary Incharge Renu Thareja ma’am suggested I conduct some storytelling sessions with Pre-primary classes. This proposal made a way for the development of my professional relationship with Apeejay. In the process, it became more and more evident to me that a mother is a teacher at home only for her own children, but a teacher in school plays the role of a mother who can shower her unconditional love and provide guidance to so many children. It was a great sense of fulfilment. This inspired me to become a teacher.

I completed my master’s degree in science (Chemistry) in 1994. My father encouraged me that I should take up teaching as my profession. I pursued Nursery Primary Teacher Training (NPTT) followed by BEd for enhancing my professional competence. I was appointed as a teacher in 2000.

How long have you been associated with Apeejay and what do you have to say about the journey?

I have been associated with the school for more than two decades. During the initial period, working with the pre-primary department gave me a platform to evolve into a much more creative person. Writing scripts for plays on different themes was my passion. With so much love, affection, and unflinching support from the Incharges and colleagues, Apeejay School soon became my second home.

I got an opportunity to join the primary department after two years. Each day gave me an opportunity to expand my horizon. The school authorities believed in my ability to accomplish any given task with utmost sincerity. This gave me the confidence to perform and achieve success in all my endeavours.

Besides teaching subjects like Science, English, and Maths, I have shouldered several other responsibilities like the Dramatics Club Incharge, Subject Coordinator, Examination Incharge. Apeejay gave me that vast open sky where I could spread my wings. It is the trust, faith and love extended by my school, the students and their parents that fills my life with zeal and enthusiasm.

How do you manage a class of students, and what techniques do you use to keep them engaged and interested in learning?

It is said educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. We aim to impart education holistically. My students and I function together as a unit. The spirit of oneness prevails in the class. This sense of belongingness helps me manage my class. I always believe that we operate better as a team. Being a Science teacher, I give them the example of our human body where there are so many organs, but each organ is equally important and has its specific role. Similarly, each student is unique, and we respect their individuality. But while working as a team, each person evolves as a better individual.

To keep them engaged and interested in learning, I try to connect the concepts taught to real-life situations. Role play and other group activities motivate them to participate with cooperation and then learning seems to happen effortlessly.

How do you build and maintain positive relationships with your students, and what strategies do you use to address any challenges that may arise?

In the words of the Dalai Lama, “Happiness is not something readymade, it comes from your own actions.” So, the key to our happiness lies in our hands. When we get a new class of students, we have to create a bond with them first, and then nurture that bond with love and care. It can bridge any gap between a student and teacher and foster a happy class environment. Positive relationships with our students are an effect of the unconditional love, support and trust we have for each other. Extending that bond beyond the boundaries of the class helps me ensure a positive relationship.

Challenges are the driving force of life. Our patience, confidence, and never-give-up attitude will help us win over all difficulties. Building a good rapport with the students helps to sort out issues if any. It also opens the doors for exchange of thoughts. They feel free to communicate with us. Students are made to feel important and kept engaged as a team by giving them different responsibilities.

How do you incorporate experiential learning into your teaching approach?

I try to provide opportunities for the students to learn by applying the concepts and arrive at conclusions by their own skill and thinking abilities. We are there to provide support and allow them to progress at their own pace. They apply their knowledge and understanding and their creativity to complete any project. This creates a conducive learning environment for students and promotes effective learning.