Know Your Teacher: ‘I ardently try to set a good example for my students’

“My journey at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, has been extremely enriching and I continue to learn, grow and develop as a teacher in this school,” says Manjusha Das, TGT English. It is her students who motivate her to overcome challenges that come with the profession, she believes. Let’s read more about her journey:

Tell us about your educational background.

My academic credentials include a master’s degree in English Literature and Language along with a second post-graduation in Mass Communication. I also have a bachelor’s degree in education (BEd). I completed both my schooling and college in Kolkata from University of Calcutta and Jadavpur University.

What inspired you to become an English teacher?

I became an English teacher to share my enthusiasm for the English language with the new generation and to guide them as they learn and develop important language skills. It has been a pleasure to pursue this as a career for the past 17 years. More than anything else, it’s the students who inspire me every day to be in this profession.

How do you manage a diverse classroom with students of different learning abilities and backgrounds, and what strategies do you use to engage students in the learning process?

As a teacher, I am responsible for more than just the academic enrichment of a student. Keeping that in mind, I ardently try to set a good example for my students, both as a person and as a professional, and to establish meaningful connections with them to the best of my ability.

With the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, what changes have you seen in your teaching practice, and how do you think it will impact English language education in India?

Personalised learning, project-based learning, flipped classrooms, and technology integration are some of the current teaching trends in the field of education as per NEP 2020.

How do you stay up to date with the latest teaching methods and techniques?

To stay up to date, one can attend professional development workshops, read books and journals, and connect with other educators. It is equally critical to be open to new ideas and techniques as well as to regularly reflect on and analyse one’s teaching practices.