From Monday - July 18 until Saturday - July 23rd, Debbie and I visited a school in Canacona, Goa - Jawahar Navodaya - a residential co-ed school. Our host teacher, the best ever, was Francis Anthony, an English teacher who went to ILE exchange program for 5 months to New York.
What can I tell you about that school?
Wow, there are no words to describe our feelings towards the school, the school community and the students. They were all so receptive and they all welcomed us with open arms and hearts.
On the 1st day, we received this royal treatment where,during the assembly, speeches were made for us, children read our biographies, we received flowers, Mr. Kanan, the principal, and Francis, both said nice words about us. We felt so special and grateful; it was a little bit overwhelming.
Then we went to observe some classes, and even without as many resources as we have, teachers did an incredible job engaging the children on their lessons. The lessons are a little different from ours. They were more traditional, but all the children were attentive and eager to learn, what, in my opinion, are the most important components one needs to be able learn.
We ate lunch at their cafeteria. How awesome was to see the kids serving each other! They take turns serving and being served. At the end, they all clean up the tables and wash their metal trays, which they keep in their rooms.
This whole week was a week of observing students during classes and assemblies, observing teachers during classes and staff meetings, sharing and learning good teaching practices, but what I learned the most was about an important Indian cultural factor: the teaching of moral values is very important for schools, families and communities. Through their assemblies and textbooks students learn the importance of always doing what is right, not for themselves only, but for the whole community. The individual cannot be happy unless his/her community is also happy. This value is what unites India, with so many languages and religions, the value of “righteousness' and the value of respecting and tolerating different races and religions.
Also, we fell in love with the children. They have so much love and happiness in their hearts. You could see it through their constant big smiles to us.
Besides observing and teaching and co-teaching some lessons, we had the pleasure to attend to three programs:
1. Speaking skills - 11th grade
2. An elocution contest where we were the judges.
3. An awesome cultural program produced by the children.
The Speaking Skills test was done by their English teacher, Francis Anthony. Each child was supposed to first talk for a minute or two about a chosen topic (no notes) and then the other student would ask the student who just spoke, a question. Then the other students would do the same. After both students talked, they both had to read a real-life problem and try to find a solution for it. Example: Your neighbor is wasting too much water.The topics impressed me a lot, topics such as:
1. Why too much patriotism can be dangerous, since we need to see us as World citizens with no borders.
2. Culture- why it’s important to keep some cultural aspects, but how we need to change and transform accordingly.
3. Indian culture- some aspects.
And many other ones. Not only they spoke a great and clear English, but also one could observe that as teenagers around the world, they have ideals and dreams, they want to change the world, they want to serve noble causes.
On Friday, the students presented their elocution speeches with topics ranging from having a positive attitude to Ideal Education. Again, one could see here how well-grounded these children are and how important for them is to do the right thing and follow their dreams and ideals, not for themselves only, but for the whole community.
Then, after the elocution, we attended the cultural programs. Almost four hours of different typical dances, from different parts of India. The dances were choreographed by the students and it was so beautiful, each one more beautiful than another. At the end, Debbie and I presented our dance, “La Macarena.” and the 11th grade children came to dance with us on the stage. It was a blast for them and for us.
This whole week was a lesson for us teachers on the value of teaching the kids the right thing, not only at home, but also at schools through character development programs and classroom meetings and assemblies. Students need to feel they are part of a community and that community is like their family. They need to do what is best for everyone, not only themselves. This is the most important lesson I will bring to my school when I come back. My principal does believe in a character development program and I believe I will be able to help on inspiring teachers when talking about the great experience I had in India, where children believe in the power of love and community, and also respect.
Thanks to all the teachers, the principal, Mr. Kanan, the vice-principal: Madam Mala, the students and the community. I will carry all of you in my heart and mind forever.
Video of cultural program coming soon.
What can I tell you about that school?
Wow, there are no words to describe our feelings towards the school, the school community and the students. They were all so receptive and they all welcomed us with open arms and hearts.
On the 1st day, we received this royal treatment where,during the assembly, speeches were made for us, children read our biographies, we received flowers, Mr. Kanan, the principal, and Francis, both said nice words about us. We felt so special and grateful; it was a little bit overwhelming.
Then we went to observe some classes, and even without as many resources as we have, teachers did an incredible job engaging the children on their lessons. The lessons are a little different from ours. They were more traditional, but all the children were attentive and eager to learn, what, in my opinion, are the most important components one needs to be able learn.
We ate lunch at their cafeteria. How awesome was to see the kids serving each other! They take turns serving and being served. At the end, they all clean up the tables and wash their metal trays, which they keep in their rooms.
This whole week was a week of observing students during classes and assemblies, observing teachers during classes and staff meetings, sharing and learning good teaching practices, but what I learned the most was about an important Indian cultural factor: the teaching of moral values is very important for schools, families and communities. Through their assemblies and textbooks students learn the importance of always doing what is right, not for themselves only, but for the whole community. The individual cannot be happy unless his/her community is also happy. This value is what unites India, with so many languages and religions, the value of “righteousness' and the value of respecting and tolerating different races and religions.
Also, we fell in love with the children. They have so much love and happiness in their hearts. You could see it through their constant big smiles to us.
Besides observing and teaching and co-teaching some lessons, we had the pleasure to attend to three programs:
1. Speaking skills - 11th grade
2. An elocution contest where we were the judges.
3. An awesome cultural program produced by the children.
The Speaking Skills test was done by their English teacher, Francis Anthony. Each child was supposed to first talk for a minute or two about a chosen topic (no notes) and then the other student would ask the student who just spoke, a question. Then the other students would do the same. After both students talked, they both had to read a real-life problem and try to find a solution for it. Example: Your neighbor is wasting too much water.The topics impressed me a lot, topics such as:
1. Why too much patriotism can be dangerous, since we need to see us as World citizens with no borders.
2. Culture- why it’s important to keep some cultural aspects, but how we need to change and transform accordingly.
3. Indian culture- some aspects.
And many other ones. Not only they spoke a great and clear English, but also one could observe that as teenagers around the world, they have ideals and dreams, they want to change the world, they want to serve noble causes.
On Friday, the students presented their elocution speeches with topics ranging from having a positive attitude to Ideal Education. Again, one could see here how well-grounded these children are and how important for them is to do the right thing and follow their dreams and ideals, not for themselves only, but for the whole community.
Then, after the elocution, we attended the cultural programs. Almost four hours of different typical dances, from different parts of India. The dances were choreographed by the students and it was so beautiful, each one more beautiful than another. At the end, Debbie and I presented our dance, “La Macarena.” and the 11th grade children came to dance with us on the stage. It was a blast for them and for us.
This whole week was a lesson for us teachers on the value of teaching the kids the right thing, not only at home, but also at schools through character development programs and classroom meetings and assemblies. Students need to feel they are part of a community and that community is like their family. They need to do what is best for everyone, not only themselves. This is the most important lesson I will bring to my school when I come back. My principal does believe in a character development program and I believe I will be able to help on inspiring teachers when talking about the great experience I had in India, where children believe in the power of love and community, and also respect.
Thanks to all the teachers, the principal, Mr. Kanan, the vice-principal: Madam Mala, the students and the community. I will carry all of you in my heart and mind forever.
Video of cultural program coming soon.