We all know of the epic story of Dhronacharya and Arjun, the perfect example of the bond between a student and his teacher. The story brings out many facets of a desirable teacher starting from the ability to identify the strengths of his students (Dhronacharya knew that Arjun was the best Archer amongst his brothers), providing the right amount of challenges to students that will not only facilitate learning but keep the interest levels high.
In today’s times, these qualities are not only desirable but are deemed necessary if one aspires to be a teacher. Teachers today are not entities to be feared but instead are guides and mentors. Teachers must not only ensure that the student gets the right information and knowledge but must encourage critical thinking which can only happen when the teacher and student engage in meaningful discussions and question the norms or current thought processes.
Conversations between Teacher – students in today’s times is no longer a Top- Down approach but is parallel communication. It is a well-known fact that self – learning is the best learning. Even at the Kindergarten levels, self-discovery is always encouraged and advocated. The Aha! Experience that a student experiences when he or she learns or discovers something on his or her own accord cannot be beat by a fact being narrated. Hence, the teacher must know when to let loose. It is indeed a challenge to maintain this balance where the student feels that he has discovered something on his own and yet turn to the teacher for added information.
Gone are the days when schools and teachers were viewed as objects of fear. We, at St. Mary’s School advocate the concept of a “Fearless school”. Students are free to do anything and everything in the prescribed limits of the school decorum. For instance, in our school, the students can visit the Principal’s office any time during working hours without seeking prior permission. Also, our teachers are less of task masters and more of caring parents to the students. This is what makes us the best school in Kalyan.