Ravinder Singh Panwar
WHAT MAKES ME A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
I feel my response to almost everything is innovative and for the benefit of the stakeholders. For example to choose this Independence Day Chief Guest for flag hoisting in School, we sent a nomination form to all parents to fill it up for being the Chief Guest. Everyone in the student’s family was eligible for the nomination. Nominee had to write the contribution he/she made to the Nation. The Best Entry was to be the Chief Guest, 2nd & 3rd best entries to be the Guests of Honour. Purpose was to invoke all stakeholders “Am I contributing something to the Nation/society?”
During the function, one parent stood up in between, held the mike and announced that simply hoisting flag & delivering speech is like talking but knocking everyone’s heart through half a page of nomination form to every parent was the real action. He added “I was boggled up with the question which made me to introspect myself”.
Chief Guest: Dr Gautam Shah (father of Krishna Shah IV Leo) – Rendered 10 days of free service (with medicines) as Ortho Surgeon to the Victims of Earthquake in Bhuj in 2001.
Guest of Honour 1: Shri Baburao Patil, 95 yrs old (great grandfather of Saumitra Patil, VI Orion) participated in several Freedom activities.
Guest of honour 2: Mrs Supriya Pathak (Grand mother of Samruddhi Barale VII Orion) has taught many children & adults in slums & rural areas free of cost.
LEARNING BY DOING
By conducting workshops for teachers in context with Learning by Doing, Contextual Teaching Learning Process, Concept building with flow chart development whereby
- Teachers are asked to prepare a plan for at least one “outside classroom activity” per chapter in all subjects before the beginning of the session
- Minimum 10 visits (most of them within city & surroundings) conducted for students to get a hands on practical knowledge
- Science teachers asked to take the students to lab very often for all classes including primary wing
INTEGRATED CURRICULUM
This is accomplished by Bi-monthly theme based activities which involve exhaustive study of a topic for the whole School- Display Boards, Expression by Students on the Boards; G-group Discussions; Quizzes; Exhibitions; Role play events.
INTEGRATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTO EDUCATION THROUGH FACULTY
This is done in the following ways
- Group Discussion for teachers & IX-X students conducted
- Rotary Club Members invited for a common platform to present their ideas & utility of Entrepreneurship
- Social Studies teachers are taken up on the thought process of the importance & scope of self employment & entrepreneurship
PROBLEM SOLVING & CRITICAL THINKING AMIDST THE FACULTY
At every school wherever I have worked as a Principal, the very first thing I have tried to inculcate in the teachers is a sense of Accountability & Ownership. This is the Key Driving Force for the teachers to be problem solvers themselves. The second step, which I usually undertake is their total involvement in almost every decision. The third is Delegation of Powers & Responsibilities and the fourth step is to monitor independently, the accomplishment of almost every task.
GROUP WORK AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS AMIDST THE FACULTY
I start my day at School with a broad smiled greeting with all staff members. After the Morning Assembly, we undertake one minute pledge for teachers by holding each other’s hand to keep the spirit of camaraderie kindled every passing day. Teachers’ Day Celebration is done with their family members along with the families of all support staff members.
UNDERSTANDING & ACTION BASED LEARNING
Conceptualised Teaching Learning has been emphasized at School with a full training to the teachers on “the methods to connect students with their life & student involvement in the learning process”. Field trips are emphasized and practical conduction is monitored very closely for all classes. Practical application based teaching is ensured
COLLABORATIVE & COOPERATIVE LEARNING PROJECTS FOR FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
This is galvanised through Micro Teaching Sessions & Peer Assessment Process. In Micro Teaching Sessions, one teacher teaches a topic to a class consisting of concerned subject teachers, concerned wing incharge and the Principal. Whatsoever component of a student centred teaching is lagging is discussed by the Principal or Wing incharge after repeated sessions, it is repeated till the concerned point is improved upon by the teacher. Through Peer Group Assessment, a teacher observes the class of similar strata teacher (informed), the observer indicates what he/she has learnt from the class and what he/she could have done better if he/she would have been teaching the same topic in the same class.
EDUCATION ACCENTUATING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY
A tendency of fearless expression of independent thoughts is allowed in School. Students are involved in almost all important issues of the School. Student Council is elected every year. Separate Committee for Girls & Boys are established & regular meetings are held. Group Discussions at different levels (wings, class & sections). OpenGDs are conducted in which the teachers support every participant to speak. Expression by every student on stage is ensured repeatedly throughout the session.
DESIGN & DELIVERY OF A LEARNING ECOSYSTEM WHEREBY HIGHLY PERSONALIZED LEARNING ACCOUNTING IS DONE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL GOALS
Teachers have been trained for INCLUSIVE Education. Special training sessions have been conducted to cater the students having learning difficulties. Teachers are asked to provide HOTS questions for above average students.
INTEGRATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS INTO THE DAILY CURRICULUM
At least one rally is conducted every year in the city with a very relevant message through MIME SHOW & KIT. Wall Paintings giving out socially relevant messages are painted in the city by students.
FUTURISTIC SELECTION OF SUBJECT CONTENT
I have prepared & contributed one video on 5 key skills required to be inculcated in students for 21st century and have given a presentation on the same on national platforms. I have took part in panel discussions pertaining to key career opportunities in a Hi-Tech future and have contributed several articles to this effect.
LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL SKILLS OF FACULTY MEMBERS
High Esteem Is A Driving Force For Dedication To The Teaching Profession. I tend to inculcate the same by reinforcing the fact that the faculty members are the luckiest & most trustworthy human beings who have been handed over the highest responsibility of shaping up the most precious resource available on this earth – the kids. This is repeated almost daily by all teachers as it is one of the lines of Pledge for teachers created by me. This pledge is a precis of the expectations out of a teacher. EMPATHY is practically practiced by all. All this ensures that teachers become like minded and work in communion without any traces of internal politics.
FACULTY ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION OF THEIR INNOVATIVE PROJECTS & PRODUCTIONS
Although it’s an assessment, but is done in such a way that teachers consider it as a process of learning new methods from each other, from Leadership team & in between the teachers. Innovative practices of teachers are shared in staff room and the concerned teacher is given due recognition for the same.
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY TO FACULTY EMPOWERMENT
Although materialistic facilities, ambience & infrastructure is very important for a School, but the most important factor is Faculty Enrichment Programs. Even average performers can be converted into very high performers. EVERY TEACHER HAS THE CAPACITY, it matters how we capacitate them. People say behaviour & attitude is difficult to change, but within a span of one year one of my teacher changed completely from very aggressive to a cool, composed & smiling gentleman. We, including me, although I’m being declared as Master trainer by CBSE & 3 private organisations, go for minimum two workshops every year. We are Learners forever.