Know Your Teacher: ‘One must respect and value individuality of each student’

Her passion for teaching began when she was a young girl in school. She used to check her notebooks trying to find out how she could better the answer that she had written. Meet Vandana Arora TGT (Mathematics) from Apeejay School, Pitampura who holds with pride her 28 years of experience at Apeejay.

“I have an honour’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Delhi along with a professional degree in education BEd. But the most important degree that I hold with pride is my 28 years of experience at Apeejay. I am very grateful to Apeejay for making me strong, both educationally and professionally by giving me opportunities to experience, learn, and grow. 

Excerpts from an interview.

How and when did your teaching journey begin?

My passion for teaching started as a young girl in school. I used to check my notebooks trying to find out how I could better the answers I had written. But my teaching journey started long back in 1994 at the age of 22 when I joined Bal Bharti Public School, Pushpanjali Enclave, in New Delhi. Later, after my marriage, I joined Apeejay School, Pitampura in April 1995 as PRT Mathematics; at that time, the school was only till class VIII. The management with its connoisseur’s eye showed belief in me. In 1999, I was promoted to TGT, and since then I have tried to give my best to be recognised as an integral part of the Apeejay family.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I have been fortunate enough to be blessed with wonderful teachers who have throughout been a strong reason for my inquisitive mind and making me find joy in the investigation along with the motivation to learn more. What I love about Math is that it has no limits. It fascinates me – the formulae, the theorems, and the logic. My interest in the subject was triggered several years back when I started discussing Math and Physics with my father.

He used to tell me not to let any problem go unsolved. ‘Challenge the complexity of the problem so that the logic behind every problem leaves a feeling of certainty about it’ is what he used to say. This triggered me to learn. My devotion to the subject had grown exponentially, especially in my teenage years.

How has your journey been thus far?

Mathematics is a subject that I have thoroughly enjoyed throughout my school years. The challenge of thinking and the process of logic always attract me to Math problems. It has been a tremendous journey so far. The trust the Apeejay management, our principal Ms Veena Goel, the parents, and students have shown in me makes me so confident that I believe in delivering quality services to the best of my ability in the coming years too.

My students have always been my strongest support. The love that they have showered on me in the past years has been my strength. Being the alumni coordinator from my school, I am in contact with over a thousand alumni – knowing them from their childhood to parenthood. We have many of our alumni whose children study in our school. It is so overwhelming when they come up and say that they are happy that their son/daughter is going to be taught by the same teacher.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a teacher?

It is respect. I think that both the teacher and the student need to feel respected. When a student feels respected, he/she feels safe and can share ideas, take risks and focus on learning. As a result of such satisfying learning, they respect their guide – the teacher. That is the biggest reward for a teacher. A teacher feels rewarded when her students are inspired by her to do their best.

---

My interest in Math triggered several years back when I started discussing it with my father. He used to tell me not to let any problem go unsolved. ‘Challenge the complexity of the problem so that the logic behind every problem leaves a feeling of certainty about it’ is what he used to say

–Vandana Arora TGT (Mathematics) from Apeejay School, Pitampura

---

How and why did you choose Apeejay to teach?

I was called for a direct interview at Apeejay School, Pitampura in March 1995. The then principal, Mr DK Bedi gave me a clear vision of the Apeejay Education. As I listened to him, it was so motivating. I felt that my father is guiding me to go for it and face the challenge of being a part of an esteemed institute that believes in learning to learn for all ages. Later, I met our Founder-Chairman sir – Dr Stya Paul; I feel honoured that I had the opportunity to meet him.

How to make a class more interactive?

The strongest indicator of a positive interactive class is mapping our teaching with our students’ interests. If the students are engaged it is because the teacher has met their unique learning styles/levels /needs through differentiation and universal design. To make classrooms successful, students must feel supported. This can be done by including them in lessons, choosing topics to suit individuals as per their aptitude, guiding the learning, and celebrating small successes with them.

How do you build a rapport with students?

Building a rapport with my students means giving them opportunities to demonstrate the learning that builds their confidence. I try my best to take time to get to know my students — the ways they learn, what motivates them, what is important to them, and their background to build stronger relationships with them.

My first lesson to them is that we are a family and so we must know each other well to go along well. I feel like putting stress on strengthening my communication and professional skills while building relationships with my students. My relationship with my students is to foster a welcoming environment and produce success for both my students and through them, mine.