Engage 2023 - Principles to Practice

Let's Engage 2023 Conference at Sreenidhi International School Hyderabad

As educators, it's important for us to continuously learn and grow, both individually and as a community. That's why I was thrilled to attend the Engage 2023 Education Conference held at Sreenidhi International School in Hyderabad. The conference brought together educators and administrators from all over the country to share their knowledge and expertise in teaching and learning. I thank Mr. Malcolm Nicolson for creating this wonderful opportunity for learning.

From principles to practices to pedagogies and the learner community, the conference covered a wide range of topics that were aimed at engaging everyone in the process of learning. One of the highlights of the conference was the contribution of the students. Their performances in music and other areas truly awestruck us and demonstrated the power of student agency.

The conference had an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, including Mr. Amin Sheikh , who spoke about his inspiring venture, the Bombay to Barcelona Library Cafe in Mumbai. The cafe provides employment, education and training, accommodation, and food to homeless youth. This project is not just a business, but a social enterprise that is making a difference in people's lives.

Another keynote session was conducted by Ms. Priyamvada Taneja and Mr. Graeme Scott , who spoke about the importance of teacher well-being in today's world. They shared ideas on creating positions like teacher well-being counselor and student well-being counselor in schools, as well as creating spaces dedicated to teacher well-being. Their insights were truly thought-provoking and something we should all be talking about.

The conference also included a variety of sessions that covered topics such as mindfulness and self-efficacy, fostering inquiry in young minds, and developing an innovative mindset through design thinking. These sessions were highly informative and provided practical tips and techniques that we can use in our classrooms.

I attended a few sessions and one of these sessions that particularly stood out to me was "Poetry - Beyond Rhythm and Rhyme," which was presented by Ms. Teena, Ms. Laurice Rodrigues , and Ms. Vanishree. The session started with an activity where we observed and noted what we saw in a given poem. It then transitioned into discussing the importance of tone and voice modulation when reading poetry, as it can significantly affect the interpretation of the poem. The presenters also highlighted the purpose and significance of summarizing and visualizing poems as a way for learners to gain a deeper understanding of the content. The session emphasized the importance of inference, quoting, bias, hidden meanings, and perspective when it comes to analyzing poetry. By exploring these elements, learners can develop their critical thinking skills and gain a deeper appreciation for the art form. The presenters lastly discussed how connecting poetry to the self, society, PYP themes, and different perspectives can help bring it to life in the classroom. The session provided valuable insights into the benefits of incorporating poetry into the curriculum and how to effectively teach it to students.

I was impressed by the efforts put in by Sreenidhi International School to make this conference possible. The school itself is located in the midst of greenery, with a beautiful ambiance and simplicity that is truly refreshing. As a teacher librarian, I was enamored with the school's beautifully designed two-story library and the exceptional way it was maintained. Overall, the Engage 2023 Education Conference was a truly enriching experience that allowed us to learn from each other and grow as educators. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

I thank my school The Shri Ram Academy and Mr. Mohamed Rizwan for giving us this opportunity to learn and grow.

Thank you so much, Ms. Nadia Patel for always being a wonderful support and mentor. The learning never stops when we have leaders like you.

Ms. Sunitha Gujjula for your continuous support and encouragement.