Knowing your teacher is important for both parents and students for several reasons. Understanding who the teacher is allows parents and students to establish clear lines of communication. This is crucial for discussing the student’s progress, addressing concerns, and staying informed about classroom activities.
Every teacher has a unique teaching style. Knowing the teacher’s methods, approaches, and expectations helps parents and students adapt to the learning environment. This understanding can contribute to a more effective learning experience. Meet one such teacher – Akash Uniyal, who teaches Sanskrit at Apeejay International School, Greater Noida.
In a candid interview, he talks about his early education and why he took to teaching.
Tell us about yourself.
I was born in the beautiful natural surroundings of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. I received my early education from a traditional Sanskrit Gurukul. I completed my higher education, including a Bachelor of Arts Honour, a Master’s degree with a specialisation in Indian classical drama, and a BEd from Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Central University in the capital.
During my post-graduation, I was honored with the Dr CR Swaminathan Gold Medal for outstanding performance. In the academic year 2016-2017, I was twice conferred with the Sanskrit Talent Award by the Delhi Sanskrit Academy for exceptional performance in Sanskrit literature.
In 2014, inspired to strengthen both my physical and mental well-being, I obtained a certificate from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) 7th Delhi Battalion and earned the title Best Shooter during the same period.
Why did you take up this profession?
I was inspired by my gurukul teachers to enter this field. They used to say, “If Dronacharya had never taught archery to Arjun, he would never have become a skilled archer. Behind the success of a famous person, there is always the special effort of his teacher. Teaching is the only art and medicine that can fill life into a lifeless body. It enables us to understand what is good and what is bad.
The most rewarding aspect of being a teacher.
A teacher should have a love for his subject and should have the curiosity to learn continuously, just like a student.
How and why did you choose Apeejay?
From the perspective of being a Sanskrit teacher, I found Apeejay’s educational policies, along with their emphasis on moral and cultural values, quite appealing. As we all acquire education, the development of our values is equally essential, and Apeejay places special emphasis on this.
How do you make your classes interesting?
To make the class engaging, I become one with the students because only then can we understand their mental level, and when students share their problems, hesitation disappears.
How do you manage work-life balance?
By completing my tasks on time and starting each day with the thought that “every day is the best day of my life,” I maintain harmony in my life.
How important is it to stay updated with the latest teaching methodologies?
Change is a rule of the world, and educational concepts are also changing. We need to change with them. Reading should be interesting, like the difference between reading a story without pictures and reading a story with pictures. Keeping this difference in mind, we should advance our teaching with activities in the current era.
How do you encourage students who are lagging in your class?
I try to understand the student’s mental level because only when we think according to the student’s mental level can we understand the student. Once we identify the problem, finding a solution becomes much easier.