Know Your Teacher: ‘Learning is a never-ending process for a teacher’

The relationship between a pre-Nursery teacher and her students is crucial as it sets the foundation for the child’s future learning and development. At this early stage, children need a nurturing and supportive environment that promotes their emotional, social, and cognitive growth. A pre-Nursery teacher who establishes a positive relationship with her students creates a sense of trust, security, and belongingness. This relationship fosters a child’s curiosity, creativity, and willingness to learn.

Meet Pallavi Dang, a pre-Nursery teacher at Apeejay School, Model Town in Jalandhar. What makes Pallavi a bit special is that she is an alumna of Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg. Not only that, but Pallavi also calls herself a true Apeejayite since she graduated from Apeejay College of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Designing-Fashion Designing.

“I have also completed NTT from All India Women’s Educational & Training Society in Delhi. I have been a part of the Yoga Training Programme (Pratham) conducted by the Apeejay Centre for Yoga, Naturopathy, and Holistic Sciences Noida in Uttar Pradesh. Since I am a pre-Nursery teacher, instead of subjects, there are activities like hands-on activities and pretend play,” Pallavi said.

Excerpts from an interview.

What subjects and classes are you teaching?

I am a pre-Nursery teacher in which there are no subjects as such; we do different types of activities with them like hands-on activities, pretend play and life skills. The motive of these kinds of activities is to enhance the fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and sensorial skills of the child along with the enhancement of cognitive skills of the child so that the children can show their creativity and develop the reasoning power which is essential for a human being to survive in this world.

How and when did you join Apeejay?

I joined Apeejay Rhythms Kinderworld in July 2018. My kids are also studying at Apeejay School, Model Town. So I thought: “If I can teach my kids, I am sure I can teach other toddlers as well, and it won’t be very tough. So I applied and by God’s grace, I got selected.

How has your journey been so far?

I was just a homemaker and did not have any identity. But after joining Apeejay, I got an identity. Everyone knows me by my name. I gained so much self-confidence, and all this is due to the Apeejay family; I am eternally grateful to them. I have learned so much after joining here.

What motivates and drives you?

The love and respect which I get once I enter the school makes me want to do better every day. A school is a second home for a child. I am a failure if I can’t give motherly affection to a child or if I can’t do justice to a child. As I am teaching pre-Nursery, when I receive a child from the gate, I can see the trust the children have in their parents. I want to see the same trust in children’s eyes for me or at least feel safe when they are with me. This is what drives me.

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As a teacher, I learn new things every day to ensure that the tiny tots are not bored with the same monotonous schedule. The most important thing I have learnt to be patient and that you can’t fool kids at this small age. They are very clever

–Pallavi Dang, a pre-Nursery teacher at Apeejay School, Model Town

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How do you make your classes interactive?

Pre-Nursery is the class that has the youngest students. If I am not able to make my class interactive, the toddlers will not feel comfortable. So, I become a kid with my students; I play with them while doing activities; I dance with them while teaching rhymes. I cry with them. I sit with them on the floor and crawl with them. The most important thing is that I don’t say NO to them. If they want to create a mess in the class, they are free to do so.

Is it important for teachers to be learners as well?

Learning is a never-ending process. As a teacher, I learn new things every day to ensure that the tiny tots are not bored with the same monotonous schedule. The most important thing I have learnt as a pre-Nursery teacher is that you have to be patient. I have learnt that you can’t fool kids at this small age. They are very clever.

How do you communicate and build a relationship with the parents?

Parents leave their kin at the school with the trust they have in the teacher. So, keeping this thing in mind, I always try to prove them right. If a child is learning new things, new words, and good habits in school, the parent will always be happy. I am available to the parents 24×7.

This is because these are toddlers and may not always communicate the correct information. I make sure I am there to clear any doubts that the parents may have. I talk to them frequently about their child. I share pictures of their child regularly. Parents are aware of what their child is doing in school with me. When parents are satisfied, everyone is happy.