Thoughts shared in an interview with Silicon India -2013

Anita Singh

Administrative Supervisor

The Indian Academy, Dubai

Anita Singh is a member of: Women Leadership

Way to motivate Students

The biggest problem which I have noticed amongst the best of teachers is , we don't tell the students why they should a particular thing, but only force them to something because they have to do it. In my experience I have seen that if a student is made to understand why he has to do something , then it becomes easier to motivate them. The other most important thing is I believe in the students I teach, that they can do it, this positive feeling about them gives them the confidence that they can do well if they try.As a teacher I show both the pros and the cons clearly and then let them decide which side of the coin they would like to see themselves. It helps a lot. I take interest in what the students like and talk to them about it sometimes during a class by connecting the lesson to what they like in my own way.

Most Challenges faced by students

The biggest challenge faced by students today is to face he surprises that life throws up at them suddenly. Life has become very laid back for th students as parents are fretting over matters which the students should be bothered about. parents are not able to spend much time time with their kids and to lessen their guilt they give in to the whims and fancies of the children who very smartly lern to manipulate that fact. I am not saying that all children are like that, but yes there are quite many of he kind. so parents should let the children learn to fall and get up again with guidance and not everything being done for them. Children in turn are becoming weak mentally and physically there is nothing much to say with the increase in the number of cases of heart diseases and diabetes in children speaks for it. So we should ensure we help our children to become strong both mentally and physically to face the challenges in life.

Future of Indian Education System

Gone are those day with a classroom being made up of students teachers and the furniture of the class. Education is becoming more virtual and smart classes oriented ..scientists have proved that children remember better when they see something , so more emphasis is laid on smart classes, but one thing nobody should forget is that, no smart class cannot replace a teacher in a classroom. Even though I see online and smart classes becoming the future of education, yet a Teacher will remain as important to students as they were to us.Teaching is going become more specific with options being given at lower grades so that a child is able to develop his best quality along with the other subjects.

Strongest Subject

My strongest subject is English and communication.. Both go hand in hand.English is a simple language with which you can express the most complicated of things easily. It is a language that can be used effectively to make surreal things feel real as done by many of the world famous poets and writers. Communication is the key to success in today's world and an effective communicator is one who has the capabilities of making others very comfortable when being spoken to. English is a universal language though not the most spoken language, yet it helps in communicating easily in a foreign land. I know from my experience that from a KG student to a college or working professionals are very comfortable when talking to me be it personal or professional and this makes me happy that I am able to do so because of my knowledge of my subject and also the fact that I believe in communicating.

Outlook about increase students’ participation

If we look around us in every sphere of life one thing we notice is the amount of corruption that has brought down the condition of our country, so the first thing we need to teach children is the importance of honesty and integrity. The next thing we need to teach and children have to learn is to speak for the right. Children feel that why they should bother if it is not their problem , but this selfish streak has to give way to standing up for others when he or she is right. Corruption is on the rise for the sole reason that nobody wants to talk about it and stand against it. Students have to learn to involve themselves in politics, but with the right values if we want a better nation for our future generation. They should inculcate the civic sense and social responsibilities in themselves and others around them and help to take the nation forward

Unique way of teaching

Teachers have to be given the freedom to handle students befitting her way of teaching and not be weighed down by policies regarding punishment etc. No teacher in the right frame of mind uses harsh means of punishing in class. The old adage : Spare the rod , spoil the child" is true even till date.. Next teachers who are passionate about the job should be hired rather the ones who had no other option , so they became teachers. Coming to practical teaching hands on learning is effective but the infrastructure should be according to it. Without the right infrastructure hands on learning will only create chaos, with too many things being done without the right output.Teaching is no ordinary 9- 5 job, it is a job where a teacher needs to be passionate about it, thinking of the children as her own and only then can one do justice to this noble profession as we should never once forget that teachers are the people who are creating the society.

Most Rewarding Moment

My move from a small town place to a big city with my children in 2007 has been a rewarding experience. It has given me an opportunity to grow as a professional in education as I became a coordinator and learnt the effective ways of managing a school with the guidance of my principal who saw the potential in me and gave me the opportunity. That experience of 5 years gave me the confidence , that today i have taken a big leap and joined a school in Dubai as an Administrative Supervisor. During my years as a coordinator in Kolkata, I had the opportunity to touch a few lives in a positive manner by Counseling both parents and their shildren. It gave me immense happiness when parents got back to me saying that their bonding with their child has changed for good.

Family Background

I am a Punjabi by caste a Sikh ,a typical orthodox family where education of a girl was enough if she knew how to talk in English. My father has his own business in Chennai. I have three brothers ,who are all well settled in life with their families. My dad is still going great even at the age of 72 , he insists on going to his workshop at least once a day. My Mom is a great source of strength to all of us, who though being a house wife and is not educated, still manages the bank work , house work all by herself. I am grateful to my parents for all their support and love that has motivated me and helped me to reach the position that I am in. My husband is a business man. I have four kids, 3 daughters and one son. My eldest daughter has finished her International Global Business and Management from Aston university in Birmingham, my second daughter is a cabin crew in Indigo airlines,third daughter is doing her Pol Sc hons from Loreto College and son is in his first year of IIHM.

Outlook about way to raise quality education

What our ministers are chalking out is not going to help our country.. They are trying to build something with a weak foundation, will any building stand on a weak foundation???? No ways, they have introduced the RTE, but not all the clauses in it will be beneficial. For instance promoting students till class VIII, what sense does it make, a child who does not know to write a straight sentence is being promoted because of the rule, students have come to know about this, so they take it easy not wanting to learn. This has to stop.Sharing of knowledge with universities of various countries is welcome, as it helps a child to understand the world and its ways better. The government should also keep a strict vigil on the fees, other policies of schools, exorbitant fees are charged, books are forced upon parents, uniform, accessories are made mandatory to be bought from school. These create a problem for parents who cannot afford high costs of education.SO the government should look into this.

My inspiring personality

My mother is the 1st one, for all her patience , never getting perturbed even in most difficult of situations.Her calm and soothing presence helped me to develop my patience which i initially lacked.My father who has been there for us even in our mistakes and supporting me to go ahead with my dreams , though it was tough initially for him to accept. For being the model head of the family making each member feel comfortable and equally important. All my dad's brother came to him and learnt the work at his workshop under his guidance , all are now very well off, but my dad still gives them the credit for putting in so much of hard work, when I know for sure it was because of him they are where they are. This selfless giving is something that I have tried to inculcate in me and do the same thing in my profession whenever any one comes with a problem. Apart from these two, I admire Rekha for her beauty and Amitabh Bachan for his energy and dedication towards his work

Favorite Non-Academic books

I have read a few books by Shiv Khera and Robin Sharma which have taught me that nothing is impossible. If a person has the dedication, desire and determination to do something, he or she can do it. Winners don't do things different things , they do things differently..Well that has been my motivating line and i try to incorporate my own style in all my work, because i believe in leaving my footprints where ever i go.

Important Lesson

The three D's , Desire, Dedication and Determination can take you to your destination. 

If you give you don't loose anything and only make yourself more happy and content in life. To get respect, you must first learn to give respect.Life is too short to learn everything, because even on your death bed one may learn something, so always be open to learning.Life is the greatest teacher so treat it with the due respect, lest it may just fail you at the time of your need. there is much we can learn from the new generation inspite of their shortcomings,so listen to them.

My Advice

I have nothing much to say, only one sentence, If you are not PASSIONATE about teaching, please do not take up this profession...

If you are, then this is the best profession because you not only become an integral part of building a society of the country, but also are able to do so by reliving your childhood through the children.So join up if you feel you can be a passionate teacher/.

My priorities

That depends on the situation at the given moment. At school my school work is priority and once I am home , I switch myself off as it is family time.

An Interview with Silicon India in 2013