After completing her Bcom from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu, she went on to do her Nursery Teacher Training and a diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education. But her learning didn’t stop there. She is always doing online certification programmes as and when the opportunity arises. Learning is the mantra for R Lakshmi Parvathy; she has been in the teaching profession for the last 20 years.
“While I have been teaching for the last two decades, my journey at Apeejay School, Saket started 14 years back. I have been teaching the nursery kids the entire curriculum,” Lakshmi said, who is a Nursery Trained Teacher.
Excerpts from an interview.
Why did you become a teacher?
I have an inherent passion to guide young kids. I love grooming the toddlers who come to me during this stage of childhood. In the last 20 years, I have experienced so much joy and excitement whenever new nursery kids are admitted. They bring with them new challenges and experiences. It is amazing to see their enthusiasm when they come to the class and start learning new things. Their awe and wonder of finding out different things are so refreshing. More so, when you can see the growth and development of the child in the session itself.
Toddlers in this class learn so much it is so heartwarming when they grasp things and can recall whatever has been taught to them. Kids at this age are like sponges, the more you teach them, the more they want to learn.
How has your journey been thus far?
The journey so far has been amazingly wonderful, fulfilling, and enriching. As teachers, we are here to show and start preparing these tiny tots what lies ahead for them. These are the children of the future and they must be taught how to face the challenges that they will face. I feel proud that I can contribute a little to the lives of these kids as they move ahead.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a teacher?
The most rewarding aspect I would consider is when the kids address you as their mother and in place of ma’am, they end up addressing you as ‘mummy’. In some ways, teachers are second parents to the students in the school. But when these little ones address you as if you were their ‘mom’ is very humbling. I also believe that to be able to make a difference in a child’s life, one has to be genuinely happy in life and for that one must love what one does; I love teaching.
The journey at Apeejay so far has been amazingly wonderful, fulfilling, and enriching. As teachers, we are here to show and start preparing these tiny tots what lies ahead for them. These are the children of the future and they must be taught how to face the challenges that they will face
–R Lakshmi Parvathy, Nursery Teacher, Apeejay School, Saket
What are some of the things that a student wants in a teacher?
As I mentioned, teachers are parents in the school for a student. Every child needs a motherly touch. If we, as teachers, can provide this little comfort to the students who come to us, every child will enjoy coming to the school. And if a student loves coming to school, he/she will automatically love to learn new things.
What is the best way to discipline students who are disruptive in class?
Discipline is an ongoing process. If there is a disruption in class and this can be used in such a manner that it is no longer a disruption but another method that the teacher can use as a tool for learning, the child will understand that he/she can no longer be disruptive and will start behaving properly. Everything that a toddler does should be used to teach him/her a lesson.
How and why did you choose Apeejay to teach?
Whatever I am today as a teacher it is because of Apeejay School, Saket. Apeejay gave me many opportunities to explore myself and I admire our revered Founder-Chairman Dr Stya Paul, who was a true visionary. He was the one who took my interview back in 2009; he was the one to appoint me. I am incredibly grateful to my mentors over the years, and I do not doubt that Apeejay will achieve the pinnacle of success in its endeavours.
Common mistakes to avoid as a teacher.
Teachers are humans too and it is natural to make mistakes. But the one thing that teachers must never do: Never believe that you know, always try to know better.