Know Your Teacher: ‘Technology is a great way to keep lessons interesting & interactive’

Multiple factors inspired this educator to take teaching as a career choice in becoming a teacher. Her father was her first Math teacher and played a huge role in her life. The basics of Mathematics he taught laid her foundation and interest in the subject. Also watching my teachers, both in school and college, inspired her to become a teacher. Meet Salamma Albert, a teacher at Apeejay School, Nerul.

“I have done my master’s in Physics with a focus on Astrophysics and Solid State Electronics. I also have a Bachelor in Education. I started teaching soon after finishing my BEd. My first appointment was at an ICSE school to teach Physics in secondary classes. Later, I took up a job at a Central Board of Secondary Education school,” Albert said, who teaches classes XI and XII.

Excerpts from the interview.

When and how did your association with Apeejay begin?

My association with Apeejay School, Nerul began back in the year 1991, and it has continued for the last 32 years. At present, I am engaged in teaching senior secondary classes and head the Physics department as the HoD. I am also the Exam In-charge.

How has your journey been thus far?

Apeejay is truly a temple of learning where I learnt many teaching skills and the use of leveraging technology in teaching. So far, the journey has been very exciting and enriching. Apeejay provides ample opportunities for overall development and to improve teaching skills through workshops. Teacher empowerment workshops organised in the school help to be well-informed about the new teaching techniques to better engage with students.

How to make a class more interactive?

Learning occurs when there is interaction. Technology is a great way to keep lessons interesting and interactive. Also, through problem-solving and critical-thinking activities, we can create a sense of curiosity within students which furthers their interest in learning. Additionally, encourages classroom discussions to facilitate discussion for diverse student learners, and gives students multiple opportunities to see how problems can be approached and solved differently. Showing topic-related videos and live demonstrations creates interest in the topic.

How do you build a rapport with students?

Rapport is based on mutual trust and respect. Teacher rapport has a positive influence on the academic success of students and enables them to create an impact in their future. Interacting with the students on the topics of their interest is the best way to build rapport. Also, spend time with students after the class to have one-to-one interaction with them and give feedback both positive and constructive. A teacher should be friendly, open, and approachable and yet there should be a boundary.

There is a lot of focus on critical thinking. The importance.

Critical thinking is the ability of an individual to analyse the way they think and present proof for the ideas they have. Students now face challenging situations and adversity very often; if they are equipped with tools like critical thinking then they would be able to overcome these challenges much better. And it supports students in making better-informed decisions about their future.

Critical thinking also allows students to become more self-reliant and independent learners. It helps students to evaluate their learning styles and recognise their areas of strength and flaws. To come up with a new or different solution for a given problem and increase creativity.