Know Your Teacher: ‘My IKIGAI keeps me motivated’

She completed her graduation from SD College, post-graduation from DAV College with an MA in Economics, and obtained a BEd from CT College of Education, Jalandhar. After that, she began her teaching career at HMV College, followed by DAV College, and then Police DAV School, all located in Jalandhar. Subsequently, in 2008, she joined Apeejay School on Mahavir Marg in Jalandhar.

“It has been 15 years since I began my journey here at Apeejay. So far, it has been excellent and full of learning. I have evolved as a teacher in different institutes, teaching children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Each institute has taught me a lot. However, the contribution of Apeejay to my journey as a teacher has been tremendous. I was exposed to the latest teaching methodologies, technology, and excellent management practices,” said Aashima, who teaches Economics to classes XI and XII.

Excerpts from the interview:

What inspired you to teach?

Since my childhood, I have been deeply attached to my grandparents. Both of them were in the teaching profession, with my grandfather being a mathematician and my grandmother being a headmistress. I was fascinated by the love and respect they received wherever they went. I used to accompany my grandmother when she visited her school. Hence, we can say that the passion for teaching runs in my blood. Moreover, I believe that teaching is a profession through which we can genuinely contribute to the development and growth of individuals, society, nation, and the world.

What are the challenges, and how do you deal with them?

Teaching is a profession that is in a constant state of flux. Keeping oneself updated on subject matter and technology, meeting the expectations of management, parents, Gen Z students, and my own expectations are the major challenges I face. To address these challenges, I continuously engage in reading to update my knowledge and strive to strike a balance between the expectations of management and parents. It is important to treat students with love and affection while maintaining firmness and a level of distance. I believe in establishing a clear demarcation between being friendly with the students and being their friend.

Importance of Using Real-Life Instances to Teach a Subject like Economics

Economics is a social science subject that studies how people make choices given limited resources. By using real-life instances, concepts can be made easier to understand. For example, when teaching the concept of government budget, we can ask students about their pocket money, daily expenditures, and how they manage their finances. By using a micro-level example, we can relate it to the macro level. Economics is relevant to our everyday lives. We apply economic thinking when we ask ourselves questions such as: Should I play or study? Should I cook or order food online? Should I drive to work, take the bus, or carpool? And should I study or watch the IPL final?

Every decision we make utilises economic methods because we analyze the costs and benefits of each option. A rational person chooses the option that yields the maximum benefit. Therefore, economics is present everywhere.

It is all about concept-based and analytical-based learning. What is the significance?

Concept-based learning focuses on understanding the components of a topic and relating them to other aspects of life. It helps students develop critical, creative, and reflective thinking skills, enabling them to go beyond mere facts and connect them to different situations. In other words, concept-based learning involves synthesising facts and understanding the whole picture.

Analytical-based learning involves breaking down the overall subject matter into parts and sub-parts, studying each one in detail. This approach is particularly useful in areas such as mathematics, statistics, critical thinking, and problem-solving. To ensure effective and efficient teaching, a combination of both approaches proves to be practically useful.

Why and how did you choose Apeejay?

In 2008, while working at Police DAV School, I received a job offer from Apeejay School on Mahavir Marg. It had always been my dream to work at Apeejay, as it is widely regarded as the best school in town. The school’s central location, excellent pay scale, outstanding academic results, and stellar reputation were major factors that attracted me.

After undergoing a rigorous and thorough interview process, I was fortunate enough to be selected for the position, and I have been serving this institution ever since.

How do you utilise technology to teach Economics?

I incorporate various technological tools into my teaching, including PowerPoint presentations, smart electronic boards, social media platforms, and an online learning management system called MOODLE. I firmly believe that technology acts as a catalyst in the teaching-learning process. However, I also hold the view that technology can complement a teacher’s role but cannot replace it.

How do you stay motivated?

My motivation stems from within, as I have a clear understanding of my IKIGAI. IKIGAI is a Japanese concept that means “the reason for being.” According to this concept, we should choose a profession that satisfies four criteria: What we are good at, what we love doing, what the world needs, and what we can earn money for. Teaching, for me, fulfills all of these conditions, and that’s what keeps me motivated.