I’m new to this site as a writer. Hope you will like my
posts! This post is all about my journey with EFF. I've been associated with
EFF since 2008 and successfully completed four years on August 21st.
It all started when I came to volunteer with EFF. I was a call center executive
in a well known BPO at that time. The day I was introduced to EFF is a
memorable one in my life. On a heavily drenched rainy day, I with an umbrella,
enjoying the monsoon, was searching for the address of EFF research center.
After searching for an hour amidst heavy rain, I found it at last with a phone
call. That was the first time ever I came up to volunteer for something. I was
amazed to see Amongla, Sridhar and Nilesh, working for such a great cause. I
was excited as I expressed my passion for teaching and shared my past teaching
experiences. After a week I got a call from Amongla, I literally jumped with
joy to receive her call; she asked me to come again. I was interviewed, had to
give a demonstration class-Trigonometry was the topic chosen for the demo
class- and I got through :) Appointed
as full time teacher with EFF!.
Virtual classroom is an inspiring software. So user friendly
that newbies to technology can easily learn all about it and get started. I got
used to the software within no time. While teaching through virtual classroom,
you listen your voice back [echo]. Initially it confused me but day by day I
got used to it and now I cannot teach without echo :P.
My way of teaching:
Basically I’m a Mathematics teacher. I completed my
professional degree ‘Bachelors of Education’ in methodologies Math &
English, but I can teach General science and Social studies as well. Here I
would like to thank Sridhar for encouraging me. Sometimes we’ve to go beyond
our expertise. I follow Socratic way of teaching. Start a topic with a barrage
of questions. I feel probing is an effective tool to introduce a lesson. And I
believe in giving ample examples for a topic for all aspects of the subject.
Provide opportunity for speaking – a classroom should be child-centered, a
teacher has to give freedom for them to speak and express their ideas and
doubts without hesitation or shyness. Praise your students, it’s a catalyzing
factor. In and out of the class a teacher should clear all doubts, irrespective
of them being intellectual or absolutely silly.
I listen to the
radio; it’s my favorite leisure activity. ‘RJ’ Prathika in Red FM is my
favorite. I often copy her (copy cat :P) presentation style in my virtual
teaching. I’ll take care to talk about only informative topics laced with a
touch of humor at times . We’ve got to be pleasant and put a big smile on the
kids’ faces while teaching virtually. This reflects a positive approach to
pupils. People appreciate me for being energetic and enthusiastic while
teaching [beating my own drums] :D
Research:
EFF teachers have to do a lot of research for any lesson –
go through sample ppt’s, sites related, videos, images etc. I feel lucky. Researching
gives you lot of information, data, and unknown facts and in depth perspectives
on the topic. Sometimes, it takes days and weeks to prepare one presentation
effectively. I gained so much preparing lesson plans for virtual teaching.
Explorrrrriiigggg!!
Hayathnagar, Thorur,
Koheda, Suraram, Shapurnagar, Ibrahim patnam, Thandoor, Choutuppal, Gandeed,
Doma, Chaderghat, Chanchalguda, Yakatpura and the list goes on and on. These
are the places I visited to survey schools; totally in three districts of
Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Nalgonda.
Talking with Math teachers of ZPHS in Suraram Village
With English teacher Mrs.Meeraj of Govt Girls High School, Yakatpura
Discussing with KGBV Principal, at Choutuppal
Visiting schools in different places gives us a lot of
information – small classrooms, no toilets or play grounds, insufficient space,
good and bad faculty, passionate teachers, infrastructure, students, discipline
etc.
RTI, has been implemented as a law in India since 2005. But
I hardly observe people using it. I did take the help of RTI to get the
information about govt. schools in AP from DSE [Director of School Education]
office. Felt proud to receive the data, from the additional director of DSE.
I’ve paid plenty of visits to Doorsanchar Bhavan, BSNL
Bhavan, Collectorate bhavan and DSE office; with regards to seek permission for
virtual classes in government schools. I can’t forget how I struggled to get it
done. Truly, government offices in India are the same everywhere; we need
immense patience to get our work done. I prefer non-corrupt officials and
dislike recommendation; so far I never bribed anyone.
Achievements:
Personally I didn’t receive any awards; but students
recognize me as synonymous to virtual teaching, that’s a big achievement.
Real achievement is
that virtual classroom reached rural India, and I played a pivotal role in it.
