Professional Development of Teachers

Principal is a key person in school /college system. It is often said that as is the principal so is the school. It is of course true to a larger extent. Principal is an academician, administrator, manager and a leader. His/her role in the system is multidimensional. Principal should be able to articulate and realize the School's vision and mission of holistic education. Secrets of success are passion, conviction, commitment, communication and devotion. Besides, it is expected that the Principal must have some principles to manage, administer, guide and lead in an effective manner . Some of the guiding principles are appended below --- Dress and address - must be decently dressed and excellent communication skills. Praise publically /lavishly but criticise /reprimand privately. Rule /administer not by diktat but by dialogue. Talk less, listen more Create leaders not followers More goal oriented than rule oriented Think globally,  act locally Not only active but proactive. Hard work...

People often feel that delivering a lecture is a very simple task. In fact it isn't so easy and simple. It requires lots of material, preparations and drill particularly for a relevant one . Our teachers are masters of this art. Of course this is part of their job. Others hesitate to come forward to deliver lecture. In a training session a story was told by the Resource Person to the trainees. It goes like, In ancient times the system of punishment was different. In most of the cases it used to be tit for tat. Chopping off the hands, making blind, stoning to death and many more were the modes of punishment for the culprits. But there was a king who always  used to  throw the culprit before a hungry lion. This used to be in front of all darbaries (ministers)  queen and others. Once a dreaded thief was caught and imprisoned. Next day he was to be thrown before the hungry lion. He was put into a cage and in another cage there was a hungry lion. The lion was struggling to com...

Gone are the days of dogmatic and obsolete teaching styles, methods, tools and techniques.we need to update ourselves and enrich and equip with the latest inventions and innovations in teaching skills. The following findings are based on my own teaching, training and educational experiences. Hope that these days the teachers can find some time to go through the same and sharpen their teaching skills. Teachers today need to address the following three challenges 1. What to teach?  ie the content 2. How to teach? ie the method 3. Whom to teach? ie client/ student The answer is PLANNING for content PREPARATION for method and PRESENTATION for client I simply put them in  P3 We may also consider these three skills as KNOWLEDGE, SKILL and ATTITUDE These three are the most essential and important requirements to become an effective teacher. Therefore, an effective teacher is one who possesses thorough knowledge of subject, knows how to teach and is committed to teach. There are the t...

Teacher is the kingpin in any Education system. An important role is played by the teacher in institutional planning as well as wholesome personality development of child. Teacher is a demonstrator, dispenser of information, task master, disciplinarian, inspirer, surrogate parent, therapist, persuader, stimulator of inquiry and above all a role model for the students. But who is a perfect teacher? A perfect teacher is one who possesses the following:-  1. Knowledge – Thorough knowledge of subject, related/relevant content and general awareness. 2. Skill – Teaching methodology, inviting attention/participation. 3. Attitude – Positive to self and significant others. In other words a perfect and an effective teacher is one who is competent enough to comprehend and respond the following questions – 1. What to teach? – Content – Teacher should be able to systematically plan the content to be taught, prepare it accordingly and disseminate confidently. 2. How to teach? – Method ...

It is perhaps the most challenging and critical time for all of us when  the entire world is fighting with Corona. Most of the parents except the corna fighters must be at home with their siblings. Let us all utilize the quality time to imbibe good values in them. I would like to suggest the following for their value orientation. 1. Remember that values can not be taught but are caught. Values filter downward from parents to children and teachers to taught. Parents and teachers not having a strong value base can not instil the desired values in their children and students. Let us strive hard to build up our value Base during these days by reading moral stories, good literature, listening to music that leads to positivity, watching informative and educative films/serials and of course avoiding fake news/messages. 2. Keep the children gainfully busy in constructive activities including reading, writing, drawing, painting, gardening, as well as some household works. 3.The children sho...

The lock down period is perhaps providing plenty of time to one and all for self development these days. One of the important tools is vivid reading. This afternoon I was going through my notes of traning various categories of employees. Of course these types of employees exist in every system/organization. The heads are supposed to deal them accordingly.   INSPIRING EMPLOYEES- Such employees are asset to the organization. They are self motivated, sincere, intelligent and goal oriented. The head must be competent enough to identify such employees. PERSPIRING- EMPLOYEES- This category is of hard working people. They are always busy with business. Work is worship for them. They may not be very intelligent but they are diligent.Such employees can also prove to be an asset to the organization. RESPIRING EMPLOEES-  This type of employees always want to be in comfort zone. The are in fact hardly working people. Every time they need respite. The heads have always  to be after th...