Know Your Teacher: ‘My teachers influenced me to join this profession’

Knowing about your teacher is important for several reasons. It helps you to establish a better rapport with them, which can lead to a more positive and productive learning experience. By understanding your teacher’s approach to teaching and learning, you may also be better able to tailor your study strategies and approach to the class. Learning about your teacher can also help you to develop greater respect for their expertise and knowledge. Overall, getting to know your teacher can help you to feel more engaged, leading to better academic outcomes.

Meet Shikha Mishra, an Accountancy teacher at Apeejay International School, Greater Noida. She was born and brought up in Delhi and did her schooling in this city as well. “I am an optimistic person, hardworking, honest, and a quick learner. I have done by postgraduate in Commerce with specialisation in Marketing and Bachelor in Education,” Mishra said, who started her professional journey 13 years back and opines that the best way to deal with disrupted students is to communicate, counsel, and create a bond with the child.

Excerpts from an interview.

How long have you been teaching and what classes are you teaching at present?

I have been in the teaching profession since 2010; I started just after completing my BEd. I teach Accountancy and Business Studies to classes XI and XII. However, I started my journey at Apeejay International School only in 2019.

Why did you choose Apeejay?

When I shifted to Greater Noida, five years back, I started looking for a vacancy in a reputed school in Greater Noida. That is when I came to know that there was a vacancy at Apeejay International School. I applied to the school and got selected after a rather rigorous process. I am fortunate to be working with a school known for its values and reputation.

What made you take up teaching as a career?

In school when I used to watch my teacher, it fascinated me how they not only managed to impart knowledge but also manage the class and be our guide. That influenced my decision to pursue teaching as a profession. And because of that, I am extremely passionate and dedicated to this teaching.

What is the challenging aspect of teaching?

While teaching, we deal with children with different emotions, interests, and abilities. Then there are other traits that these kids have that we have to deal with. No two students are the same. Hence, it becomes challenging to channelise their energy productively.

How do you keep the students engaged in a subject like Accounts?

Accountancy is the language of business and the first thought that comes to mind when we hear the word business is profit or loss. The curiosity to know or find out the same always makes students interactive and active during the learning process. Students are engaged in the preparation of the business financial statements and in determining the accounting information.

How can students score well in this subject?

The students must have their concepts clear. Once their concepts are clear, they need to correctly apply these concepts. Also, regular written practice and time management can help students score well in this subject.

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“Accountancy is the language of business and the first thought that comes to mind when we hear the word business is profit or loss. The curiosity to know or find out the same always makes students interactive and active during the learning process”

–Shikha Mishra, an Accountancy teacher at Apeejay International School, Greater Noida

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Has digitisation impacted how we are learning Accounts today?

Yes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we used to teach online where the teaching process was done using PowerPoint Presentations with animation, videos, quizzes, and games like Bingo which helped a lot to explain the detailed concept visually. For example, various interrelated and interdependent accounts could be shown all at once.

How do you build trust with the students and in turn the parents?

To build trust with the students, it is important to make our learners emotionally, physically, and mentally strong. Make them realise that teachers are always available for them to help them in whatever way possible. Regular communication with parents helps in gaining confidence and trust.