Know Your Teacher: ‘I have learnt & evolved during my three-decade journey’

After graduating from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi, she did her Bachelor of education. Not only this, she decided to pursue a one-year fashion design course. Only then she joined Apeejay School, Saket as a primary teacher (SST). Meet Rachna Magoo.

“While working, I did my master’s in English and education. I am from a nuclear family. My father retired from DVB in 1997 and my mother is a homemaker. My strength is that I am a quick learner and love to learn new things. I am a hardworking person as well,” Magoo said, who has been a teacher for over 30 years now.

Excerpts from the interview.

What subjects and classes do you teach?

I joined Apeejay School, Saket as a PRT (SST). For the next 25 years, I spent teaching EVS, Math, and Social Science to classes II, III, and IV. In 2019, I felt a strong urge to teach students of grade I as we follow the teacher-mother concept in Apeejay Schools for classes I and II. These tiny tots need extra care, love, affection, and personal attention and a mother-teacher only can mould them with love and discipline. I enjoy seeing my students adapt, learn and grow at this young age. I take pride in fostering their development.

How and when did your association with Apeejay begin?

I joined Apeejay School, Saket in 1993, just after completing my BEd. My parents’ house is just behind our school and my father wanted a safe environment for me. I was fortunate to get selected and be part of the Apeejay faculty. I never felt the need to change my workplace as it was always like a second home to me.

How has the journey been so far?

My three-decade journey with Apeejay has been amazing. The learning has not only been for my students. Even I learnt and evolved during this journey. It would be unfair on my part to say that everything was smooth. There were obstacles, but the trust of my students and support from the management helped me sail smoothly even through difficult times. I have been assigned various responsibilities in school.

The responsibility I enjoyed the most was being the tour in-charge for almost 10 years. I traveled to several places during this tenure with junior and senior students. I have been fortunate to be awarded “The Teacher’s Excellence Award 2008” by the Lions Club International. The award was given by the late former Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dixit. I was also awarded the “Rashtriya Shikshak Sammaan” by Sahajanand Saraswati Kisaan Suchana Kendra on March 3, 2013.

How do you approach different learning styles and accommodate the needs of diverse students in your classroom?

As mentioned earlier, my three-decade experience in on-the-job training gave me immense exposure to learning the techniques of this job. From conventional teaching methods to digital learning, there has been a great shift in learning styles, especially post-Covid. Whether in a classroom or online, I try to give my students the ease and flexibility of two-way communication. I also utilise multi-sensory learning. I believe that all students have the potential to do great things, and sometimes all it takes to help them is a little individualised attention and dedication.

What is your teaching philosophy, and how does it guide your teaching practices?

There is no fixed teaching philosophy that I follow. I make sure that what I teach my students should be well understood by the entire class. I also try to build a bond with my students where they find the freedom to talk and discuss with me on any subject.

What strategies do you use to engage students who are disinterested or struggle with the subject matter?

I don’t judge my students based on their interest or disinterest in studies. I make sure that the students who are disinterested or struggle with the subject matter sit in the front. This helps me understand and resolve their problems better. In addition to this, wherever necessary I interact with the parents of such students for a better understanding of their problems.

Who/what inspired you to become a teacher?

As a child, I dreamt of becoming a teacher. While playing with my siblings – we are four – I always wanted to be a teacher and treated them as students. While I was growing up, Apeejay School, Saket was being constructed. When the construction was taking place, I would watch this from my bedroom window. When school started, I used to see lady teachers smartly dressed in a saree. I often dreamt that I too would become a teacher and wear a saree like them one day. My dream came true when I was selected as a teacher here.

Challenges of teaching.

There are challenges in all jobs.  But I don’t see them as challenges and neither have they stressed me. Over the years, I have learnt how to resolve and overcome most of them. In case I still get stuck, I have the great support of our principal sir – Dr Sujeet Eric Masih – and my colleagues.

What is the need for holistic development in students today?

Yes, there is a need for the holistic development of every student. The student is not only admitted to the school for just academics but his/her overall personality development. Apart from education, good communication skills, sports, dramatics, and debates to name a few help them in becoming good and healthy citizens.

A message for students.

Children during their formative years spend most of their time either at home or school. Parents are their guide at home and the teachers at school. It is so important that they should never hesitate to communicate with their parents and teachers about any matter. They should also understand that as all humans, parents and teachers could also make mistakes. They should never hold any grudges against them.