Know Your Teacher: ‘Happy to be an integral part of Apeejay parivar’

She likes helping young minds who are filled with curiosity to the brim and has a zest to excel if mentored in the right direction. Although she comes from a family of educators, she had no idea they’d be her motivation for working with young and dynamic minds. Meet Divya Kumar, who has earned her Post Graduate Degree in Master of Computer Management from the University of Pune, which is now known as Savitribai Phule Pune, University.

“I’ve been fortunate to have had several mentors in my life who have guided me on my route to becoming a teacher. I have been teaching at Apeejay School, Kharghar for the last seven years to students of classes XI and XII. I am also the Head of the Department for Computer Science. For the last two years, I have also been teaching computers to classes X, IX, and VIII,” Kumar said.

Excerpts from the interview

Tell us about yourself – qualifications, courses, and certifications, if any.

I have done my Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science (BCS/BSc-CS) from Pune University. My computer degree enabled me to put my academic knowledge into practice while also honing my abilities in C++ and Python, which are essential for my work. In addition, I earned a Bachelor of Education (BEd.) in Mathematics and Science. These invaluable educational experiences aided me in establishing a profession in a high-demand and competitive field.

What/who inspired you to become a teacher?

My mother, sister, and my aunt, who is blind and the principal of a blind school in Kerala, have all left an everlasting impact on my heart. Their temperament, humour, and teaching techniques pulled me into this world and motivated me to create my style. Late former President Dr APJ Kalam has also ignited my passion for teaching. As rightly said by Swami Vivekananda: ‘Education is the manifestation of perfection already existing in man’, believing in this thought I feel I can inspire others to learn well.

How do you manage work-life balance?

Education is a challenging field that demands keeping up with the latest trends. Hence, finding a work-life balance can be a daunting task. I make an effort, especially with planning and preparation. I organise all of my classes in advance using lesson plans and segment my time into manageable chunks. It is necessary to complete as many tasks as possible in school. I try to avoid taking work home since I have responsibilities there too. I also make an effort to carve out time occasionally for my friends and parents, whom I believe to be a vital part of my life.

Benefits of being computer literate in school.

The use of digital literacy in the classroom teaches students how to discover reliable sources of information and educational material. Accessing learning resources like research papers, educational videos, and courses is simple for students to recognise when websites include biased or inaccurate information. This helps them to steer clear of it and locate trustworthy materials.

It also enhances critical thinking skills, information, and argument evaluation, making connections between unrelated concepts, and idea construction. Students and teachers may utilise these critical thinking abilities in their daily lives and in developing several applications that can aid them in improving their academic knowledge for seeking better job opportunities in the future. For instance, real-time projects that students create based on the knowledge that they acquire in the computer lectures.

How do you stay updated with the latest developments and trends?

Professional development enables educators to keep updated in their industry while also learning new skills. Attending ongoing CBSE workshops, and self-learning courses, reading, and discussing the latest technology magazines and newsletters with fraternity, experts, and academicians from cross-sectional fields and with students is my way to keep up with the trends.

What programming languages do you recommend students learn first, and why?

Python is always suggested as a starting programming language if students are searching for a simple and fun programming language to learn first. Rather than plunging into rigid syntax restrictions, Python reads like English and is straightforward to learn for a beginner. It also acts as a foundation to learn Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science.

C and C++ will enable you to become a master developer in the future as they provide a solid foundation in the programming world. Java is recommended for a student who wishes to create mobile apps utilising a strong language or seeking a job as a developer.

What resources or tools do you find most helpful for teaching computer science concepts effectively?

Virtually any programme or utility that helps programmers or users develop applications or maintain their computers can be called a tool. Examples of programming tools are compilers, interpreters, assemblers, 4GLs, editors, debuggers, and application generators. MOOC resources like the YouTube channel of NPTEL for Computer Science and Engineering provide technical lectures from seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. Also, I find Coursera, Codecademy, Udemy, and the CBSE workshops helpful for teaching Computer Science concepts.

How and why did you choose Apeejay?

One of the best schools in Navi Mumbai, in my experience, is Apeejay School. Since my son attended Apeejay, I have seen firsthand how it supports the development of the students via academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities, resulting in a child’s overall holistic development. My interest has always been in assisting young people in gaining new information and expanding their horizons. My job as a teacher is practically second nature to me, and I can’t think of a better place to put my passion for teaching into reality. I believe that the school’s vision and motto coincide with my goals. Thus allowing me to contribute my knowledge to them. I was eager to start working here and am happy to be today an integral part of the Apeejay parivar.