Mary Pouline,
Author and Founder, Sapience Publications
Specially Tailored for Teachers – Series 1
Hi friends, I am Mary Pouline.
Here I am with six wonderful tailor-made tips for teachers. I am sure the ideas will not only inspire you but also ignite you. Let’s get started.
- Passionate about Teaching
Are you a teacher? I have something for you. You know, self-confidence is the first and the only ornament you need to wear in the classroom. A confidence that comes from knowing your stuff. A common complaint among teachers is, “Students don’t listen to me.” Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, it means you haven’t understood it, you haven’t understood it well enough.” So, love your subject. Master it. Make it your own. Then, deliver it with passion. And your students will hang on your lips.
Takeaway Quote:
“If you can’t explain it simply, it means you haven’t understood it.”
– Albert Einstein
- Online Learning:Good or Bad
Teachers, are you attending or taking any online classes now? When Covid came in 2020, technology came to our rescue to “fight back” the virus with online classes so our students wouldn’t suffer too much. There wouldn’t have been online classes if the pandemic had happened twenty years ago because there wasn’t the technology for it then. After months of online existence, we have become accustomed to digital learning. Of course, in-person learning is very effective, but with the coming of online learning, the geographical boundary is no longer a barrier; anyone from any socio-economic group can learn, educate and enhance their knowledge. It became a great equaliser. So, online learning is good if the digital platform is used for educational purposes. It’s a valuable friend.
Takeaway Quote:
“Make friends with online technology. It’s been a friend in need and will ever be a friend indeed.”
– Mary Pouline
- Leadership is Listening. How?
Nelson Mandela is universally regarded as a great leader. He was one day asked how he learnt to be a great leader. He said, “I was the son of a tribal chief. I’d go with my father to tribal meetings. There, I remember two things: one, all the elders would sit in a circle, and two, my father was always the last to speak. The ability to hold back my opinions until everyone had spoken made me what I am.” There is wisdom in listening to others. It’s the way to win them over!
Takeaway Quote:
“The ability to hold back my opinions until everyone had spoken made me what I am.”
– Nelson Mandala
- Teachers Earn Respect. Do you agree?
A recent report mentioned what parents in Finland say about teachers: “We believe what teachers do or teach is the best for the children. We, parents, don’t interfere with their work.” There, teachers are highly respected. I believe this will happen in India when our teachers become passionate about teaching. When a parent takes their child to a doctor, they don’t question him; they accept the medication he prescribes. Why? Because they think the doctor knows better. Let’s earn this status by our competence and commitment.
Takeaway Quote:
India will be like Finland when our teachers become passionate about teaching.
– Mary Pouline
- Teaching… What a blessed profession!
Who do you think are the greatest teachers the world has ever seen? Edsys Software Solutions, some time ago, published a list which included names like Chanakya, Confucius, Anne Sullivan, Piaget, Montessori, Einstein, Tagore, Radhakrishnan, Phule, Vivekananda, Abdul Kalam and others. You will, of course, have your own favourite ones to add. I believe great teachers never die. They live in the hearts of their students. What a blessed profession! And what a lovely way to live on and on! Don’t you think so?
Takeaway Quote:
“Great teachers never die. They live in the hearts of their students. What a blessed profession!”
– Mary Pouline
- Fundamentals on time. Why?
Recently, I came across a tagline that goes like this: Men will be men. A man goes to buy a ring for his wife. The salesman shows him a 1-carat ring and asks, “What’s the occasion?” “Anniversary gift”, he says. The salesman then shows a 3-carat diamond ring. The man is not impressed.
The salesman asks, “OK, when is the anniversary?” “Yesterday”, he replies. At once, the salesman picks up a 5-carat diamond ring and says, “Only this will work, sir.” Jokes apart, what do you learn from it? When something is given late, the cost doubles. Similarly, students will have to pay a heavy price if we don’t teach them fundamentals at the right time. Think about it.
Takeaway Quote:
“When something is given late, the cost doubles.”
– Mary Pouline
Thank you. Stay Blessed
