Know Your Teacher: ‘Interaction is the key to effective pedagogy’

After completing her UGC Life Science and BEd, Neetu Bhardwaj was looking for professional opportunities in 2002 when she read an advertisement for PGTs (Biology) at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg. Fortunately, she applied and got selected. She has been at the school for just over two decades.

“I teach Biology to classes IX, X, XI, and XII. Since childhood, I have considered teaching a noble and respectable profession in society. I was fascinated by the fact that teachers develop the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive aspects of a child, which helps them adapt better to society and have a bright and successful future. Hence, teachers are the builders of nations,” Bhardwaj said.

Excerpts from the interview:

How has your journey been so far?

It has been a long journey of almost two decades, filled with growth, enrichment, and learning. Apeejay is a wonderful institute that guides professional growth. I participated in the Model Moodle course in 2020 and Curriculum Development in 2021. I had the opportunity to work with competent faculty from different Apeejay schools across India. Executing various tasks and duties has been a learning experience and has contributed to my professional growth.

What motivates or drives you?

I am motivated to bring out the best results from my students and am willing to work hard to tap into their potential. Being an educator always adds to my motivation daily.

How do you make your classes interactive?

Interaction is the key to effective pedagogy, as we need to train students’ minds to think critically about the concepts we teach. I make my lessons interactive by using the ‘questioning technique’ and developing lessons based on their answers. I also incorporate art integration, sports integration, a multidisciplinary approach, collaborative learning, discussion-based learning, and game-based learning, which make the lessons highly interactive. Sometimes, I play science charades with students based on the concepts taught in class, which allows me to assess their learning outcomes as students enjoy the gamification approach.

Is it important for teachers to be learners as well?

Absolutely. Times keep changing, and there are developments in science, technology, and various areas of our lives. We need to upgrade ourselves with the latest knowledge and implement the best methodologies for the present times. So, teachers have to keep learning new things, adopt the best strategies, embrace the latest knowledge, and be equipped with new methodologies to deliver the best. By engaging in lifelong learning, teachers set an excellent example for students and motivate them to pursue lifelong learning.

How do you balance work and life?

I balance my work life by being systematic and meeting deadlines on time, which gives me time to relax.

The importance of building trust with students.

Teachers who foster positive relationships with their students create classroom environments that are conducive to learning and meet students’ developmental, social, and academic needs. Students who feel a strong personal connection with their teachers frequently engage in discussions with them and receive more constructive guidance. When student-teacher relationships are strong, improvements are seen in key areas such as academic engagement, attendance, grades, disciplinary actions, and overall performance.