FALGUNI TRIVEDI
WHAT MAKES ME A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
‘Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world’, Nelson Mandela. I truly believe that education can truly change the face of the world. I opine that a teacher is a facilitator who develops a positive rapport with the students and teachers for creating a student teacher friendly environment. I am an open-minded, responsible and approachable person who strives to focus on the holistic development of the students. My role is to unlock the hidden potential of the students, giving them the freedom of thoughts and enhance their critical and analytical thinking abilities. I believe in developing various teaching strategies and their implementation with the help of my staff. The staff is given freedom to make them more responsible. Regular evaluation of the teachers also helps them enhance their teaching skills on the basis of which learning outcome is evaluated. I ensure 100% co-operation and involvement of the teachers as well as parents in nurturing the overall development of my students.
MY MISSION AS A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
Education is number one economic priority in today’s world. Our students are global citizens of tomorrow and we should motivate their minds to become community leaders. It’s time to shift focus from teaching to learning where students are curious, creative and innovation-driven. We should initiate skill building in the students. This coveted title of ‘Progressive Principal’ will not only add to my profile but also strengthen my vision and mission in field of Education. Access to the best resources, empowerment of the teachers and ‘change’ should be our driving force.
LEARNING BY DOING
‘Learning by Doing’ is a widely accepted teaching strategy. In our school we support activity based learning. Few examples of activities by students:
- People Around You A thanks giving programme for people who help you everyday, celebration of festivals in the traditional way, nature camps, visits to Old Age Homes, Orphanages and museums as an integral part of our curriculum.
- Students use our Junior Science Lab where they perform experiments and draw their own observations and inferences.
- Mock Parliaments
- Senior students are involved from the planning to the execution of the Annual Function
INTEGRATED CURRICULUM
Our school has taken up an integrated approach for teaching various subjects. A theme is selected and there is a fusion of various topics from different subjects. This can be explained by the following example. The theme ‘Fractions’ is explained by the example of a pizza where subjects like Maths (calculation of fractions), Language and cooking (recipe writing and making the pizza), Commerce (putting up stalls and selling the pizza) etc are incorporated.
INTEGRATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTO EDUCATION THROUGH FACULTY
The students and the teachers participate in various programs like Anand Utsav and projects where students put up different stalls. This helps to explore the business acumen of students. Entrepreneurship development program is conducted for Grades 11 and 12.
PROBLEM SOLVING & CRITICAL THINKING AMIDST THE FACULTY
I do not consider problem solving and critical thinking as a separate entity but try to imbibe these skills on a day-to-day basis. I always emphasize on teachers acting as Counselors and Mentors for students. The school also has a Counselor on Campus.
GROUP WORK AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS AMIDST THE FACULTY
Group work and development of a social skill are accentuated by different means like Student Parliament, House System where the teachers are given immense responsibilities and teamwork and team spirit at its forefront. Staff get-togethers and workshops also help in developing social skills.
UNDERSTANDING & ACTION BASED LEARNING
I do not encourage Rote Learning and we try to develop a curriculum which is at least 80% activity and application based. Comprehensive skills and thinking ability of a student is nurtured.
COLLABORATIVE & COOPERATIVE LEARNING PROJECTS FOR FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
The students along with their teachers accomplish various projects for different grades. Thereby winning the International School Award. This is a project where collaboration with other International Schools is essential. At present we are trying for the same award for the second time as it is an ongoing process. The school has also undertaken and successfully completed many projects for Center for Environmental Education. Inter Departmental Collaborations are also emphasized by discussions, group presentations etc.
EDUCATION ACCENTUATING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY
I believe that education gives a structured framework to various ideas and creativity gets channelized. It gives a voice to one’s thoughts. Students and teachers can voice their opinions and work together to create a positive atmosphere. We nurture young minds to understand the constitutional framework of the country to make them leaders of the world. A student parliament is formed every year to expose the students to Democratic Freedom.
DESIGN & DELIVERY OF A LEARNING ECOSYSTEM WHEREBY HIGHLY PERSONALIZED LEARNING ACCOUNTING IS DONE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL GOALS
The main focus of the school is to understand the learning outcome of each student thereby periodic assessments and evaluations are carried out. The evaluation processes help us to understand where each student stands in clarity of concepts and application of knowledge. The students are also evaluated on their skills to work independently in groups.
INTEGRATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS INTO THE DAILY CURRICULUM
Community service is of utmost importance to us. For this good cause the students and teachers are actively involved. The following programs are undertaken on a regular basis:
- Saksham An initiative of the school where children from the slum areas are given free education, food, clothing and transportation.
- A Blood Donation camp is held every year. the propaganda of which is done by the students in form of posters, skits and spreading awareness.
- Programs like ‘Ehsaas’ and ‘Milap’ are undertaken where students donate their books, clothes, toys etc. to the underprivileged children.
- Presently the students and teachers are involved in supporting the Rally for Rivers Project which is initiated by Sadhguru.
FUTURISTIC SELECTION OF SUBJECT CONTENT
The curriculum is designed keeping in view the skills which will be required for the future society. The curriculum is updated to serve the purpose of skill development.
LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL SKILLS OF FACULTY MEMBERS
I believe that the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. This can only be done if the faculty is empowered. Workshops and training programs give the required exposure. The staff members are given freedom to take responsibility and be accountable for it. A bond of trust is created.
FACULTY ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION OF THEIR INNOVATIVE PROJECTS & PRODUCTIONS
Lifelong learning and social skills of faculty members are emphasized by regular teachers training programs. The guest speakers invited are experts in various fields. Training in emotional quotient, classroom management, personality and etiquette, anger and stress control is imparted in these workshops. Psychometric analytical tests are conducted. ‘Jeevan Vidya’ and ‘Inner Engineering’ workshops are conducted for the faculty members.
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY TO FACULTY EMPOWERMENT
There is a periodic observation of the teachers and 360 degree appraisals are made. The teachers are made in-charge for handling various activities like ISA projects, MUN etc. based on their performance and areas of interests.