Delhi school organises workshop on effective teaching practices of the 21st century

Teaching practices have evolved over time to benefit students and promote their wholesome upbringing. Following this vision, Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, organsied a workshop for its teachers to discuss effective pedagogical approaches that can be adopted to make a school a happy and comfortable place for learning.

The workshop was conducted this month by the school’s director Ritu Mehta, principal Sandeep Kathuria, and vice-principal Shalini Agarwal. They discussed how to keep teaching practices relevant to the times—contemplating teachers’ conduct and accountability in the process–to enhance students’ academic performance so as to prepare them to meet the challenges of the 21^st century.

Teaching is said to be the oldest and the most respected professions all over the world. Teachers’ behaviour and conduct is likely to directly impact the academic performance of learners. To retain the sanctity of the profession, it is important that what goes on within the walls of a classroom, is a true reflection of what teaching is and should be.

Keeping this in mind, the workshop addressed the characteristics of a good teacher, which include listening to the students, believing in them, being their champions as well as positive reinforcement.

“The workshop helped us revisit all the things that we got to know when we became a teacher, but in the rut of life, tend to recede to the back of our minds. It stressed the importance of human relationships in the teaching-learning process,” says Shweta Roda, who teaches English in classes 8-10. “The workshop filled us with a lot of positivity, hope for our profession in the future as well as the strength to bear the obstacles that come in our way. Besides, expectation setting was done in a precise way—the objectives of being a teacher were very clearly outlined. Principal sir also reiterated the importance of positivity in life no matter the circumstances. It set the tone for the beginning of the second part of the academic session.”

Today, teaching is a lot more than imparting learning, says Kirti Sharma, who teaches Chemistry in classes 10-12. “In the process, both the teachers and students learn simultaneously. Teaching is also about learning.”

She added, “Teaching is a two-way process. We must give importance to the students’ responses. A child’s voice is something we cannot neglect. At the same time, as teachers, we have to keep motivating students.”

---

“As Albert Einstein said, ‘It is the superior art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.’”

-Sandeep Singh Kathuria, principal, Apeejay Panchsheel Park