KALPANA MOHAN
WHAT MAKES ME A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
I have been associated with education for the past 32 years and I have contributed substantially towards structural change. I have visited several countries to understand different education systems. Taking clues from Finnish model, I have introduced Finnish Model of Education in my current venture-PNC Cognitio school. I have introduced sports as integral part of education and every child will have to play at least an hour in my school.
MY MISSION AS A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
Being a Progressive Principal of India, would give a boost for all the principals to take up new ventures in education. I will be able to introduce progressive ideas wherever I consult with great confidence.
LEARNING BY DOING
Projects, Experiential learning, Differentiated Learning, Usage of Modern Tools etc. are introduced in all the schools principled by me. Every classroom is equipped with the latest educational technology to ensure that the child develops a sense of research and inquisitiveness. This is complemented using experiential methods such as projects, presentations and field trips to allow them to fully assimilate any concept at a greater level.
INTEGRATED CURRICULUM
I have trained my teachers to introduce multidisciplinary Teaching and it is running quite well. Thematic teaching is done very systematically in my school wherein we pick a theme for the month and ensure that all our subject content is centered around this theme to give our children multiple avenues of knowledge concerning a particular topic.
INTEGRATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTO EDUCATION THROUGH FACULTY
We conduct classes for building confidence and communication skills on a regular basis. I have also conducted “know how” programs in the previous schools I had worked where entrepreneurial attitudes were nurtured and guest lectures by eminent startup executives were arranged. This is being implemented in my current venture i.e. PNC Cognitio also.
PROBLEM SOLVING & CRITICAL THINKING AMIDST THE FACULTY
I conduct a month long training session for the faculty which is done through external faculties in order to improve their Problem Solving and Critical Thinking skills. I have also introduced the concept of Mind Mapping and Multiple Intelligences to the faculty and ensuring its continued implementation on a regular basis.
GROUP WORK AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS AMIDST THE FACULTY
During the training period for teachers at my current venture i.e. PNC Cognitio, I sensitised the members with the importance of collaboration in learning and the enhancement of social skills by conducting extempore speaking exercises and group discussions.
UNDERSTANDING & ACTION BASED LEARNING
There is a clear emphasis on imparting hands on learning amongst all classes at PNCC. Teachers are encouraged to go beyond the textbook by using resources such as Microsoft Imagine and Gooru, Khan Academy etc to enhance the quality of each session that a child is part of. Active learning techniques prescribed by CIE is meticulously followed.
COLLABORATIVE & COOPERATIVE LEARNING PROJECTS FOR FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
During the training period for teachers, I had set up a system where the teachers were divided into groups and had to formulate a lesson plan and present it to the rest of the members. Each lesson plan had its own unique elements to it which brought out the collaborative and creative aspects of each faculty member.
EDUCATION ACCENTUATING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY
I have ensured that in every school where I have worked, that every member is made aware of their role in society. They are taught to not waste food or resources and to treat these as if they were their own. I have also encouraged a culture of every child being able to question the teacher and administration on any aspect without retribution. The Speakathon Series at PNC Cognitio School and my previous initiative of Shilp Encounter at Vidyashilp Academy allowed students to talk about any topic of their choosing without imposing any barriers on them.
DESIGN & DELIVERY OF A LEARNING ECOSYSTEM WHEREBY HIGHLY PERSONALIZED LEARNING ACCOUNTING IS DONE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL GOALS
It is important that every child is allowed to learn and flourish at their own pace and in their own way. There is no one size fit all approach that is being followed. I have ensured a system of Differentiated Learning where each child’s strengths, personal goals and dreams, areas of improvement (academically, socially and on the playground) are analysed and worked upon during each session of every academic working day.
INTEGRATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS INTO THE DAILY CURRICULUM
At Vidyashilp Academy, I had initiated the setting up of a paper recycling and vermicompost unit where we used the waste paper from old notebooks, newspapers and from corporate companies to make products made out of this. We also collected old CDs, bottles and waste material that was thrown away to make artwork that was sold in auctions to generate funds towards Diwali celebrations for children from 14 government schools.
In my current venture at PNC Cognitio, children have been educated to segregate garbage as dry and wet waste. They have also been involved actively in a process of seed balling to underline the important of afforestation. In addition, all communication with and outside the school has been made paperless thus saving on paper. In the recent Rally for Rivers campaign, every child proactively participated by designing posters for the cause and have also involved themselves very actively in the school’s upcoming event i.e a Walkathon for raising funds for the benefit of underprivileged girl children.
FUTURISTIC SELECTION OF SUBJECT CONTENT
At PNC Cognition, a process of Needs Analysis is done for every child in the school wherein we identify each child’s relative strengths, personal goals and current levels of knowledge and use this to create a lesson plan that would address each child’s need at a granular level. Each child is also made a part of a global awareness program where their role towards the development of society right from the local to the global level is highlighted in simple terms. At Vidyashilp Academy, I taught a subject called Global Perspective (a feature that is unique to CIE) which touched upon the traits that would be needed to survive and improve on the current status of the society at all levels.
LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL SKILLS OF FACULTY MEMBERS
I have been someone who believes in the continuous inflow of knowledge in my life. I have encourage this attitude among all my faculty members (in PNC Cognitio, Vidyashilp Academy and Velammal Global) to ensure that their knowledge base is always replenished. Such a step ensures that when teachers talk to children or teachers from other schools, they are equipped with contemporary information and ensures constructive exchange of knowledge.
FACULTY ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION OF THEIR INNOVATIVE PROJECTS & PRODUCTIONS
I have a 3 tier system of assessment of every faculty member at PNC Cognitio. At the first level, each faculty member attends another member’s class and provide constructive and confidential feedback on that session. At the second level, I myself attend random classes and make my own assessment of the session and the faculty member. At the third level, an informal feedback from children is taken on the competence and performance of the faculty member.
The feedback from these multiple sources is collated as a report for every teacher and shared with them confidentially. Due care is taken to ensure that no teacher’s position is compromised in the school as a result of this feedback. A teacher profile is created at the end of the year with them being ranked on teaching competence, subject knowledge, time management and punctuality, student engagement, initiatives for extra curricular activities.
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY TO FACULTY EMPOWERMENT
I believe that each faculty member is to be made a decision maker and leader at their own levels to ensure that they are both empowered and accountable for their decisions in the classroom and outside it. Periodical personal and professional development courses are conducted both using in-house and external faculty members to ensure that the knowledge base in the school is rich and robust.