Monthly newsletter sent to school and college teachers

1. June 2010
Volume 4, Issue 6 Inspiring Teachers
Driving educational change through excellence in teaching
Editor’s Comments – What’s in a name?
The newsletter has a the purpose of the quite busy with training,
familiar name. Though newsletter. So we review of courses, working on
Sphoorti and Prerana were decided to stick with new modules and reaching
Pic above: Group close contestants from the Inspiring Teachers. out to more people. Mrs
in a role play at
Sevalaya, Kasuva, website poll, and my own Wonder, why it didn’t Indira Narayan’s article on
Near Chennai favourite was Tea-Time. strike us before! punctuality and some regular
(2009)
People who know me, know Sometimes, what we are dose of inspiring stories of
that I am a tea lover. But searching for is right in real heroes. Some unusual
Articles this
month: this Tea Time was for front of us. That’s true opportunities for teachers and
Professors Beyond Teacher Time. But my team in life too. thought provoking websites,
Borders…2 felt that it doesn’t convey This month has been completes this issue. Enjoy
SRISTI….2 and get inspired!
Police, Police! ..3 Reflecting on May
1. A session for teachers attending A heartening feedback from DKTE’s
Quotes fwded by KV Principles of Programming engineering college after using innovative
Jayakumar…sides workshop at IIIT-H teaching for one semester with a pilot
2. IIIT-Hyderabad has a summer group of final year students. When they
Openings in DRF’s batch of 70 teachers from called me for the workshop in Nov ’09
Pudami Schools…4 engineering colleges in AP. A they were clear that they will implement a
weekly pedagogical session is few methods. Congratulations for the
included along with their CIT courage to change!
EmployAbility 2010
for disabled….6 program. These methods work !
3. CfBT-ES invited me to give a
We have tried out Learning Through Teaching in Team based
Interesting links …4 few sessions for Principals of
Kasturba Gandhi Balika learning (in Mech, Textile and IT depts) that was explained in
Vidyalaya and AP Social Welfare the workshop in Nov 09. This was done for the whole
Residential Institutes. semester and according to a survey conducted after the
4. After rigorous training, the exercise, almost all students felt that they learnt better, they
faculty at NMREC have
embarked upon the mammoth enjoyed it and they recommended that this mode should be
task of writing learner oriented extended to other subjects and should be started in first or
objectives and performance second year. Based on this we are refining and expanding
criteria for all subjects in all
this mode of teaching.
branches and they are doing a
good job of it. First step in active Prof Suresh Mahajan
learning initiatives. DKTE's Textile and Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji

2. Inspiring Teachers Page 2 of 6
Professors Beyond Borders
It began as a special project knowledge creation, expertise into a greater effort
of the Fulbright New innovation, and mapping wherever there is a need. They
Century Scholars 2009- expertise to community work as volunteers, using
2010 focused on water and needs and ground realities. their knowledge to impact
sustainable development. As The paradigm is that of communities by providing
an independent, non- Mind to Market or Lab to expertise in program
governmental network of Land initiatives. implementation and
academics and Dedicated to public health effectiveness, as well as
professionals, PBB engage and a secure global village disseminating knowledge of
with real world problems for all, they offer academics tools, techniques, technologies
that impact quality of life in of our global community the and resources.
diverse communities. This ability to organize their
entails problem-based individual experiences and
The Professors Beyond time in the summer or for
See Anil Gupta’s work @
Borders team consists of distinct periods during the
academics and professionals year. PBB will raise funds http://www.nif.org.in/
with varied backgrounds for travel funds and
http://www.gian.org/
from around the world. stipends.
Economists, Engineers, http://www.sristi.org/
Scientists, Sociologists…
Anil Gupta, a professor Who can join For more details log on to
at the IIM-A has
There is no cost and
spearheaded the http://www.professorsbeyondborders.org/
documentation of obligation to join. You can
1,00,000 ideas of
creative individuals consider volunteering your
scattered all over India.
The Honeybee Network
reaches out to SRISTI - society for research and initiatives for sustainable technologies and institutions
thousands of grassroot The question is not about joining Professors Beyond Borders – but can we do similar
innovators.
work in India? We have something happening the other way round in India. SRISTI, an
NGO was setup to strengthen the creativity of grassroots inventors, innovators and
ecopreneurs engaged in conserving biodiversity and developing eco-friendly solutions
to local problems.
As you see, PBB believes professors can give solutions to societal problems, SRISTI
believes that solutions have been found and they need to be strengthened. The core
philosophy is to acknowledge the innovator and ensure that good ideas get funding.

3. Page 3 of 6 Inspiring Teachers
Police…Police! Indira Narayan, HM, St Ann’s HS, Sec’bad
The traffic signals in our works this way... ‘There counter. There will be
country are a source and a isn’t anyone checking or queues no doubt, yet
window to look into the watching over me so why many would like to jump
mindset of people. Many a should I bother about right the Q if they feel they
times traffic signals have and wrong. I won’t get won’t be noticed in doing
been violated by various caught so here I go so. The same applies at
drivers especially when violating rules!’ This the Cinema theatre or at a Caption describing picture
or graphic.
they notice that the paradigm is sadly applied temple. We are in a
Policeman is NOT around. at most places by us mighty hurry to see the
When they spot the humans, which is ‘if there movie; we do not have
Khaki/white uniform they no one watching or the patience to wait for
slow down and like good checking me let me do our turn for a ‘ darshan’ Visit our website for
law abiding citizens wait for things the way I want to.’ Sadly, along with our latest poll and other
updates. Give your
the green signal. Ironic isn’t In offices such attitudes , devotion God also likes to
feedback and contribute
it? Should the cop not be which basically come from test our patience which resources.
around most people are lack of self discipline , most of us cannot show
happy to ignore the signal may eventually lead to outside His temple! Why
and make their way some kind of trouble ; but do we all need a
through even if meant in the teaching profession policeman or should I ask
waving a fist at the other these will only aid in do we educated people
driver in the opposite side warping the tender mind need ‘policemen?
who is actually obeying of a student who learns
When a teacher continues
signals! If you happen to from what he sees. It is a
to teach after the bell has
stop at the red and await student who will bear the
rung and the class is over,
your turn in these brunt of being taught by a
students, at least some of
situations don’t be teacher who has no self
them, will be looking at
surprised if the fist is discipline This is not
their watches as though We are born with only
waved at you or if teeth meant to deride a teacher
reminding the teacher one heart,
are gritting… for stopping but to point at a major deep in our ribs
that it is time for her to
at the Red signal when the wrong which is in turn it reminds us
leave the class. Right?
policeman is not very influential in giving to appreciate and give
But these very students love from deep within..
there!!…understand one wrong ideas . Man by
thing -- people do not like a nature loves a path that is will forget that they have
worn a wristwatch during
person who makes them trouble free, easy and not
the break time;
aware of their wrong. hard to tread on. Go to the
Simple human psychology railway reservation Continued on page 5

4. Inspiring Teachers Page 4 of 6
Opportunities at Pudami – a chain of 35 schools by Dr Reddy’s
Inviting Talented English/Science/Social Desirable: Leadership
Teachers, Teacher Studies/Mathematics qualities, analytical
Educators, Educationists, (preferably with B.Ed) ability, an insight into the
Professionals Working willing to travel in the functioning of school and
Supporters – Navin, Venu,
With Schools to provide suburbs in Hyderabad, working with Principals to
PV Narasimham and Madhan
education to children from with a passion for bring about development
all economic and social teaching and creativity, in schools. Experience of
backgrounds from the excellent English working with
neighbourhood/communi communication skills and economically deprived
Apply within ten days.
ty. a desire to ensure student children would be an
E-mail your resumes
to dilip.drf@gmail.com Post Graduates in learning. advantage.
Address: Dr. Reddy’s
Foundation, 87/A, MLA Interesting Links – Sridhar Chitta, Raman, Learning-Net, Vinish Gupta
Colony, Road No. 12,
Banjara Hills, • Nirmaan - expert academic and career guidance to, specially, the economically
Hyderabad - 34 backward students in rural areas through a toll-free helpline
http://www.nirmaan.org/page/Home.aspx
• Is Iron Man possible ? http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_00e8965c-5980-
11df-8842-001cc4c002e0.html
• An amazing clock with loads of information – world statistics
http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf
• Hundreds of ideas with bamboo - http://bamboohouseindia.org/home.asp
• The best education system in the world
http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Koulutus/koulutusjaerjestelmae/?lang=en
Must See Videos on Education
• TED Talks Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for
creating an education system that nurtures creativity. See both 2006 and 2010 videos
We are born with two
eyes in front with subtitles.
because we must not http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
always look behind,
• Who really failed? A teacher is taken off course for setting high standards -
but see what lies ahead
beyond ourselves. http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/04/15/lsu
We are born to have • A one minute film that talks about child labor
two ears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN8o9w6eLlo&NR=1
one left, one right
so we can hear both • In pursuit of success (four parts) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lVleH3f1BA
sides,
• Active learning method transforming Tamilnadu schools
collect both the
compliments and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gajJ9huCog
criticisms,

5. Page 5 of 6 Inspiring Teachers
Police.. Police! (Continued from page 3)
they cannot hear the bell realize that their judges to attend to you . So much
and will come to class late! and policemen are sitting of customer time lost …. A
What is the direction of in their classes? I recall bit of the credibility of the
my thoughts in writing some students of mine bank is also lost in the
this? It is to highlight that saying what they do not bargain. Time is precious,
time sense and self like is when a teacher yours and mine. In an
discipline, the backbone of comes to the class late and educational institution it
any successful venture, then continues beyond the is the precious time of
are losing their hold in bell especially the break students that is lost and
today’s lifestyle. In a bell thereby cutting into the teacher’s workload
school, the day’s schedule their break . suffers , leading to KV Jayakumar, Executive Director,
CWRDM & Prof, NITW
is worked out and bells are When the other person’s her/him rushing through
rung at specific times; time becomes as the syllabus , taking extra
each bell announcing the important as mine, a classes both of which
beginning or the end of sense of efficiency comes will affect the academics.
the teaching period or the into my work. Our Remember Newton’s
commencement or end of thinking should go along third law of motion!!!
a break. There are no the lines ‘do not unto So let us make ‘respect’: of
secrets about this and others what you want self, of others, of time our
every one on the campus them to do unto you’. guiding light. Rewards
knows to identify each Outside a bank the follow and are very often
bell. When the tutor and timings read: 10 AM built in.
the taught fall in place in to….This means that the
obeying these, that school bank is ready to begin Subscribe to and/or write for
We are born with a
will be the best both in its serving its customers at Teacher Plus – an excellent brain concealed in a
ccademics and its all 10am. In reality if you are magazine for school teachers. skull so that
no matter how poor we
round credibility. at the bank at 10am sharp Provides new ideas for teaching are,
Example is better than you will find that the with ready made handouts, we are still rich,
for no one can steal
precept... is what I concerned personnel will gives perspectives on topics of what our brain contains,
strongly believe in. It is be busy keeping their current interest for teachers and packing in more jewels
and rings
upsetting to see teachers personal belongings away, has many more features than you can think.
enter their class rooms then they will go to their relevant for the contemporary
late, especially after the counter , take the required teacher!
break with the confidence material, maybe arrange 040 2780 7039
that they are not being the tokens in a serial E-Mail:
monitored or watched by number etc. , thereby editorial@teacherplus.org
the Management. Do they taking at least 10 minutes www.teacherplus.org

6. EmployAbility 2010 – a great opportunity for job seekers
Teacher’s Academy The much awaited job basis of your Contact Details:
opportunities fair for qualifications and skills, Pavithra Parandhaman
persons with disabilities, not disability. Programme Officer-Placement
will be held in Chennai in You need to pre register to ABILITY FOUNDATION
Hyderabad August 2010. (Organised participate in the fair. No. 28, Second Cross Street,
by Ability Foundation and Details and application Gandhi Nagar, Adyar
Lions Club of Padi form can be downloaded Chennai 600 020 India
PHONE: Tel: 91 44 24452400
Shenoynagar in From http://www.abilityf
97011 41118
association oundation.org/employabil Fax: 91 44 24413013
with www.naukri.com) ity_2010.html Website: www.abilityfoundati
E-MAIL: If you are a graduate from (Please note that even if on.org
info@inspiring-teachers.com a recognised institute and you are already registered
have good English and with Ability Foundation,
computer skills, get you must register
connected to unbiased separately for
equal-opportunity EmployABLITY2010)
employers from across the
country. It is a platform Last date for registration:
where you will be June 30, 2010
considered strictly on the
About Teacher’s Academy…
Started three years ago, Please do leave your Arnold’s school and Holy
already 1350 teacher feedback on workshops on Cross College at BHEL;
members on-line, 40 the site About Us Nizam’s Institute of Engg
colleges and many schools Clients say (NIET), Deshmukhi;
touched by the training. Sevalaya, Chennai; HPS,
See us at: Share articles, useful Hyderabad;
www.inspiring-teachers.com Long term projects are links, teaching resources Anyone wants to work
being taken up for schools and tips for effective with me can send your
and colleges. Continuous teaching with a growing resume.
support and multiple community of our teacher
initiatives will be included mailing list. --Thanks
for holistic and Our forthcoming Uma Garimella
sustainable change. workshops are at St
A cool picture for summer: DRDO scientists, ITM, Mussouri, Feb ‘10