Sanjeevani Chindarkar
That's how it started....
Sitting in a classroom with 40 classmates, working diligently on the classwork and homework given, I always valued my education. I wondered as a student how do my teachers equip themselves to plan and conduct so many lessons and assessments. I was in awe of how they moved us from the 'unknown to the known'. My mother was an educator and I witnessed her selfless work that she used to do for her students. In every teacher, I see my mother which reminds me the care and effort she took for each and every child she had as her student. No wonder my career choice was to become an educator.
... and the learning continues..!
With a Master of Sciences in Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology and a Bachelor of Education in Math-Science methods I also hold a Post Grad Diploma in Counselling as well as a Master of Arts in Education from Mumbai University.
After 25 years of being in this profession as a teacher then as a coordinator and now as IB workshop leader, I still consider myself a learner. I have attended several workshops and courses to keep myself upgraded and to ensure that I give my best to my students and the team of teachers that I led.
One such course which I attended was the Lynn Erickson’s Concept Based teaching and learning. This was the turning point in my life as an educator. Not only did the course helped me as an educator but left me with a thirst of wanting to learn more about how to guide my teachers.
With a certification of Independent Erickson and Lanning Concept Based Curriculum and Instruction Trainer, I now offer workshops and consultation services for Concept Based teaching methods and planning of curriculum.
.... and here's my 'Why' and 'How'!
With the ever-changing world of work, education field is also changing, though at a slower pace, and educators have to be on their toes to imbibe the new changes and deliver the best for their students. Working as a teacher, I realize the efforts educators have to take to keep themselves updated and be aware of the changes in their field. Also, with the growing demands of differentiation, planning for skills and concept-based learning along with the focus on ever-increasing content educators need to hone their teaching-planning skills with regular professional development.
I aspire to provide these professional learning opportunities to educators and share my learning to develop a space where educators do not just teach for test but inspire their students to realize their potential and use their learning to make 'a dent in the universe'.
With 25+years of experience in the field of teaching, I have worked with several schools from local and international boards. I consider myself fortunate that I got the opportunity to work in IB PYP, MYP and DP as well as in different State board and ICSE schools. This experience has made me open-minded in my teaching-learning approach and has helped me grow as a risk-taker.
Jyothi Nair
That's how it started...
My dream of being a teacher started since childhood. My earliest childhood memory is me being dressed up as a teacher and giving instructions using a black board. This dream was further supported by my father who believed in the power and value of a teacher in a child's life.
I was one of the favourites who was good at academics and extra curriculars and possibly this could be one of the reasons for me wanting to be a teacher. Thanks to my wonderful teachers, I enjoyed learning and Maths which is usually a fearful subject, was one of my most liked subjects.
Life had other plans for me. I joined Government service. Story does not end there. With another twist, when I was a mother of two lovely girls, I pursued my dream of being a teacher and I completely owe this to my father. My young girls (aged 7 and 3) were so understanding and supportive in this journey. I finally began my teaching journey in one of the reputed schools in Dubai.
... and the learning continues..!
My academic background includes a B.Sc. in Chemistry and M.A. in Education from Mumbai University. With 25+ years of experience in teaching, I got several opportunities to work in reputed CBSE, ICSE, Cambridge and IB schools in India and UAE.
As a teacher, Coordinator and Head of Primary, I have developed my team of educators as collaborators and open minded learners. Teaching and leading in a multi-age and inclusive environments has equipped me with skills to cater to individualised and differentiated needs. As a founder Principal and currently the Head of School, I have successfully led the team towards authorisation.
In these years of teaching and leading, I have got the opportunity to train multiple teams of teachers and conduct several workshops for parents in areas related to education as well as on growth mindset, behavioural challenges in children, etc. Each of these teaching opportunities were great learning moments for me.
As an IB Workshop Leader and IB Programme Leader, I continuously seek opportunities to enhance my skills as a teacher as well as a leader. There is a constant thirst in me to learn and grow and keep attending workshops and courses to upgrade myself.
I am currently pursuing Doctorate Degree and on the path of my ongoing learning journey...
.... and here's my 'Why' and 'How'!
We are currently living in a VUCA (Volatile-Uncertain-Complex-Ambiguous) world and the future is going to be event more unpredictable. We have to prepare our students for a future about we have no clear picture. This can be achieved by making them lifelong learners, curious and reflective thinkers, confident risk takers and thoughtful problem solvers. The education should just be not about 'What to learn', but the 'How to learn' is more important in the current times to prepare our students for the uncertain future.
As a Head of School in an IB school, I have worked extensively on designing a transdisciplinary and inter disciplinary curriculum, developing inquiry-based learning and making the learning meaningful and relevant to the children in their real life. During my years of teaching and learning in different environments, I have specialised in planning differentiated learning not only for students, but also for teachers. I have dug deep into curriculum planning, teaching-learning strategies and school strategic planning while leading the schools towards authorisation and preparing for evaluation. I now aspire to share my learning with educators to develop rigorous yet fun learning experiences that can cater to different needs and interests of students.
I also want to share the values of our ancient Indian education system that is highlighted through the IB philosophy and teaching-learning methodology. Through the workshops, I want to instill a pride in our rich cultural heritage in the hearts of our educators and through them to all the students. Taking pride in our roots while thinking globally is essential for the development of our country.