Mary Pouline,
Author and Founder, Sapience Publications
Specially Tailored for Teachers – Series 2
Hi friends, I am Mary Pouline.
Here, I am continuing my series on Tailor-made Tips for Teachers. I am sure the ideas will not only inspire you but also ignite you. Let’s get started.
- We make our choices, and our choices make us.
After class XII, most students move to college for a degree. But how many of them choose suitable subjects for their degrees? Ask the average college student if they love their subject, and if they are passionate about the choice they have made. Most will not be. Yet your career and happiness in life depends on the choice you make. A Gallup study recently showed that only 15% of employees globally enjoy their work. Why? Because, when they were students, they didn’t make the right choice. When teachers are passionate about their subjects, students too will be.
Takeaway Quote:
“Only 15% of employees globally enjoy their work.” – Gallup study.
- Leadership is about empathy.
A teacher asked the students what they were grateful for in life. She then told them to draw a picture to show who they were grateful to. Some drew trees; others, God; others, parents, policemen, etc. One child drew the image of a heart and told the class: “You know, this heart stands for our teacher. She’s so kind and loving. Don’t you think so?” “YES!” shouted the whole class. Helen Keller said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” Sometimes, students may not immediately recognise what you do for them. But they will, someday!
Takeaway Quote:
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller.
- A Way of Life
Are you a storyteller? Imagine your childhood days! You certainly liked the teacher who told you stories. We all love stories. But why? Because stories are ingrained in our DNA. Stories teach, stories inspire, stories entertain, and stories enlighten. Everyone enjoys a good story no matter what age you are or where in the world you are. Remember, your students, too, love stories. Stories are everywhere. Learn to tell stories; it’s a great way to teach. The most important life lessons are best taught through stories.
Takeaway Quote:
“Learn to tell stories. It’s a great way to teach.” – Mary Pouline.
- Today, literacy means much more.
UNESCO defines literacy as the “ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute and use printed and written materials associated with varying contexts.” The National Literacy Mission defines literacy as acquiring the skills of reading, writing and arithmetic and the ability to apply them to one’s day-to-day life.” Today, literacy means much more. It includes e-literacy (how to use the internet or Google for example) and above all, “rights literacy”, i.e., awareness of one’s fundamental rights as a citizen. Teachers have an essential role here, too.
Takeaway Quote:
“Today, literacy includes e-literacy and rights literacy.” – Mary Pouline
- Ten attributes of a good teacher
Dear Teachers, here is a contest for you. Take a pencil and rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 for each of the following ten attributes of a good teacher: 1. Effective goal-setting; 2. Clear communication; 3. Being a role model; 4. Adaptability and flexibility; 5. Diligent preparation; 6. Self-reflection; 7. Life-long learning; 8. Love for learning; 9. Passionate about teaching; 10. Happy Giver. If you have the eagerness and the patience to do this test, you’re well on the way to excellence. Socrates, the great philosopher and teacher of ancient Greece, says: An unexamined life is not worth living.
Takeaway Quote:
“An unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates.
- Real classroom
During the pandemic, children’s education went out of gear. At that time, the teaching community rose to the occasion through online teaching – a thing they had never been trained for. For them, it meant facing inconveniences, overcoming obstacles and confronting new challenges daily. But they didn’t mind it because they cared about the children. In the process, teachers and students discovered the usefulness of digital learning. Though digital learning was valuable, the same situation also made us aware of the importance of the physical classroom. Yes, kids need to come to the classrooms, meet with friends, run, jump, play and have all the fun. It is their right.
Takeaway Quote:
“Kids need to come to the classrooms, meet with friends, run, jump, play, and have all the fun. It is their right.”
Mary Pouline.
Stay Blessed. Thank you.
