She joined Apeejay School, Model Town in 2011. It was right after she got married and shifted her base from Chandigarh to Jalandhar. “After settling in, my in-laws told me that Apeejay is the best school in the city. There is no other like it.” Fortunately, Kaur was selected in the interview round and bagged a job as a teacher and there has been no looking back!
Kaur pursued her educational qualifications at Panjab University with a Master’s degree in Geography as well as Diploma in Fashion Designing and Clothing Technology from Northern Indian Institute of Fashion Technology in Mohali. In the college, she aced Physical Education and was also recommended to the Sports Authority of India.
Interestingly, she comes from a family of Indian Air Force officers. She too gave her attempt to join the Forces, but then found her calling as a teacher. She is an ardent lover of sports, who even today doesn’t think twice before enrolling herself for ‘cyclothons’ in Jalandhar. She hopes to maintain a healthy lifestyle and tries to inculcate the same in her students.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
Did you know that you have a natural inclination towards teaching? How and when did you gain interest in Social Sciences?
I feel that somewhere I always knew it. Teaching is a profession where you put tremendous efforts to make someone learn. So, what better than to contribute towards building responsible individuals every day? I truly enjoy it. With my students, I feel that I can even re-visit my childhood once in a while. They provide a breath of fresh air with every idea they have. I learn so much from them!
Geography is considered the ‘mother of all sciences.’ Social Science itself is very vast. It assimilates the past, present and future. By learning the subject, children get a chance to understand the society they live in. So, in class, I discuss it all with the students and take in their diverse perspectives.
Is it challenging to manage so many students on a daily basis?
Every child has different aspirations as well as dreams and so, it’s necessary to encourage them. Moreover, even a teacher can undergo ups and downs. In those times, I feel that children provide happiness and spread cheer. It is a different feeling.
How do you motivate children to score well?
I encourage students to think, ask, enquire and explore. It is all about thoroughly understanding the chapters. Besides, everything they are reading, they can experience too. Social Science is not difficult, it is around us. The students are welcome to write their answers in their words in the subject. In my classes, everyone has the liberty to share an idea. And if they are wrong, I always guide them. I try to make learning fun. All the projects given to students are well-thought out. I even get their works recognised in the media.
Whether it is a high-performing or an average student, I always appreciate everyone. Sometimes, if the concepts are tough, I explain it to a student separately. My method is that once an average student feels heard and valued in the class, she/he will have the motivation to improve. So, I never neglect my students; for me every child is equal and unique.
Tell us more about your hobbies.
I love nature. I cycle regularly. I wake up at 4 am to ride for an hour every day. After this, I begin my regular day, prepare the meals, pack my bags and reach the school. Recently, I cycled 100 km at one go. It took four hours, but it was a wonderful experience. Now, I have become a senior rider. My target is to reach Paris in the coming years, as it conducts Paris–Brest–Paris, a long-distance cycling event. To strengthen my physique, I even workout in the gym during the evenings.
How do you impress upon sports for children?
First, I motivate them to come to the school on bicycles. Even parents have hailed the move. Second, many of the parents and students often join me in cyclothons. Last year, the school held a cyclothon event on the birth anniversary of Dr Stya Paul, the Late Founder-Chairman of Apeejay Education.
How do you manage teaching with cycling?
To stay updated with current affairs, I make it a point to read the newspapers and magazines like Reader’s Digest and Competition Success Review. Besides, the cyclothons happen early in the morning or over the weekends. Even if Saturday is a working day, I follow my regular schedule and reach the school on time.
What’s your mantra this academic session?
I want all the children to focus on their physical and mental well-being. I don’t think that education should feel like a burden to them. This year is a new journey and all the students should give their best. In addition to this, they must prioritise their health since a healthy body governs a healthy mind.
Parents often worry about their child’s progress. So, how do you deal with them?
When I am sitting on the other side of the table, many students and parents come to me with their queries. It is natural. I try to listen to them patiently and understand their concerns. I seek solutions as well. Parents are our collaborative partners and they have invested their trust in us. I consider it my responsibility to give them regular feedback. After all, Apeejay is my family!