DEEPTI SHARMA
WHAT MAKES ME A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
I have been working as a Principal in Pragyan Public School, Jewar since 2007. The School is situated in a remote locale of Gautam Buddha Nagar where most of the students belong to villages. I have contributed body & soul to make Pragyan not only the proud schools of Jewar but also of nearby areas. I am wholeheartedly devoted for the empowerment of my students, faculty & the society. As our School is located in a remote rural area, many challenges are always there like uneducated parents, untimely fee submission, lack of social awareness etc.
Even then the students of Pragyan public school are getting all kinds of facilities required for best quality education. As a result of this 4 students of our school secured 100% marks in Painting (Fine Arts) in the Board Result of Class XII Year 2016-17 and to our pride one of our students secured 96% marks remaining at the top. We always plan our annual Integrated Curriculum focused on Thematic Units. Students are encouraged to do hands on projects that enhance experiential learning. My teachers give strong emphasis on Problem Based Learning so that Students can use their critical thinking & decision making. Students are involved to work with Group projects so that they can understand the value of Collaboration & Cooperative Learning. Our school curriculum consists of an integrated linkage with community service. Every Year we arrange rallies on various social awareness issues like Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan, Save girl child, Save Environment, Road Safety, Fire Safety, Traffic awareness programme, Nukkad Natak to Promote the value of casting Vote etc. Besides this our students participate in the work of charity by donating clothes, Books & stationery, free education to deprived children in various villages.
MY MISSION AS A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
Being a Progressive Principal, my personal mission is to inculcate a desire to achieve excellence in all areas of Endeavour in my teachers as well as in my students along with the spirit to embrace global diversities so that they can become good human beings. My vision is to develop global leaders equipped with skills, knowledge and temperament to face challenges with courage, confidence and innovation.
LEARNING BY DOING
Learning by doing is the basic concept of CBSE curriculum and I have also tried to inculcate similar academic planning to its fullest extent. The stimulating learning classrooms at Pragyan Public School, provides enriching experiences for the students. I have transformed classroom teaching into activity oriented teaching and implemented all aspects of multiple intelligence from pre–primary level to junior level. For this my teachers are being trained by me as well as other CBSE resource persons. The activities conducted are all in accordance with the theory of multiple intelligence. I have also taken innovative practices in
- Peer observation
- Flip class
- Support Project-Based learning
- Lesson Plan & Question paper drafting following the Bloom’s taxonomy
- Preparation of enrichment sheets on different topics relating to the curriculum
- Field Trips
INTEGRATED CURRICULUM
Faculty members of same class sit together under the guidance of coordinators a month before the starting of new session. After discussion with Faculty, Coordinator finalise month wise themes & integrate all subjects with this particular theme. For Example, if the theme of month is decided “Health & Wellness”, the English Teacher has to choose chapters related to Health & Wellness. Similarly Science, Social Science, Hindi and other subject teachers will do the same. If a Teacher is not able to relate any subject related to theme like Mathematics then that Teacher can put an activity related to Health & wellness in the curriculum. Simultaneously, teachers also relate their themes with Life Skills, Value Cards & Gender Sensitivity cards to make their curriculum more interdisciplinary.
INTEGRATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTO EDUCATION THROUGH FACULTY
To develop Entrepreneurship in young minds, School organises best out of waste competition, Science Exhibition, debate on various social issues, Thematic Annual Day & also organises Young Entrepreneur Fest every Year under the guidance of Faculty who in turn motivate the students to come-up with innovative & unique concepts. This concept develops collaboration & leadership among them.
PROBLEM SOLVING & CRITICAL THINKING AMIDST THE FACULTY
The Faculty is motivated to use the Flipped Classroom concept. In This Concept, Faculty has to design Problems related to new chapter & he/she has to prepare guidelines like web links, videos related to new chapter. In this process faculty critically thinks which video, web link & problems are related to new chapter then circulates & discusses all material prepared amongst students and also divide them in groups. Now the students themselves attempt all tasks related to that chapter & discuss that in class. Every Saturday we conduct Classroom Challenges whereby students are free to ask any question beyond the curriculum but relevant to their study to their teachers. All this helps to develop Problem Solving & Critical Thinking amidst the Faculty.
GROUP WORK AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS AMIDST THE FACULTY
By joining the team in doing any work together. By conducting circle time and promoting peer learning. Student council members are made responsible for various activities. Lot many community activities are executed through teams led by students. I have always believed in creating new leaders and nurturing the concept of “We” than I, me myself.
UNDERSTANDING & ACTION BASED LEARNING
By following different teaching methods which are child centric and ensuring each topic is taught in different styles as stated by ‘Howard Gardner’ in his theory of Multiple Intelligences which speaks about each child having different learning styles. And also by ensuring they are assessed on various parameters and not just on pen and paper test.
COLLABORATIVE & COOPERATIVE LEARNING PROJECTS FOR FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
We have peer learning and circle time once a month where teachers learn and share from each other. Once a year we also have an exchange programme on the same with our sister schools wherein we share different learning and teaching styles with each other projecting the best foot forward. In addition to this we have “Buzz” which is a monthly e-magazine showcasing different activities and different unique sessions in academics which are shared with sister concerns so that each one gets a chance to improvise and learn. And, by organizing various workshops for awareness on different topics.
EDUCATION ACCENTUATING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY
“Education is a social process. Education is growth…Education is not a preparation for life, education is life itself”, John Dewey. My aim here in life as an educator has always been to provide an enriching, engaging and challenging environment that will prepare students and teachers to reach their full potential as lifelong learners and creative problem solvers, speak their mind boldly, be good listeners and to be accountable for all their actions be it good or bad. Children, parents and teachers are given full opportunities to share their feedbacks, give suggestions, express their views through direct communication be it face to face or mails or letters. And, because of this as a leader have been able to create trust in the system amongst all associated with.
DESIGN & DELIVERY OF A LEARNING ECOSYSTEM WHEREBY HIGHLY PERSONALIZED LEARNING ACCOUNTING IS DONE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL GOALS
Each child has a personal profile file maintained in the school by the class teachers which covers scholastic & co-scholastic records along with minute details of behaviour. This file is updated every year and is then passed on to respective class teachers after promotion. This file records growth of the child in all parameters making it easier for the teachers to help and understanding the child better and helping in reaching individual personalized goals.
INTEGRATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS INTO THE DAILY CURRICULUM
Community service – SEWA as we call is integrated in the curriculum and all our children are involved in various activities leading to community service. Some of the community aided service that we have taken up in past 5 years are – Coastal cleanup, Preservation of water, Swaccha Bharat Abhiyan, Behtar India, Healthy eating – Saying Bye to obesity, Traffic rules, sending rakhis to soldiers at the borders, visit to old age home to name a few.
FUTURISTIC SELECTION OF SUBJECT CONTENT
Value education, Life skills and confidence boosting activities are all part of our curriculum.
LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL SKILLS OF FACULTY MEMBERS
I have contributed in curriculum planning for my own school in subject English wherein with my team based on the content we have devised and chalked out the implementation of the curriculum through different teaching methodologies.
FACULTY ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION OF THEIR INNOVATIVE PROJECTS & PRODUCTIONS
Excellence in teaching demands a continuous process of upgrading knowledge of teachers. Therefore, we ensure every year teachers attend various workshops either in house or attend outside wherever possible. I also ensure to have one to one communication with my staff in order to ensure positive growth and regular feedbacks from parents.
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY TO FACULTY EMPOWERMENT
A structured system of staff appraisal is followed here every quarter wherein they are assessed on various parameters and the report is shared with them so that it becomes a part of continuous growth for teachers. We also have regular audits happening in school by internal & external agencies and reports of the same are shared. Teachers are assessed not only for academics but also for overall handling of different assignments like clubs, activities, concert, Olympiads etc.