but ignited youth who are the most powerful III age...
1
IV COMMANDMENTS OF APJ KALAM I will consider myself to be a great teacher only when I am capable of elevating the aver- age student to the high performance... III COMMANDMENTS OF APJ KALAM A teacher’s role is multi-faceted. Had a tiff with your best friend? Don’t know which subjects to choose in your Xth? Not on speaking terms with your mom? You’re looking for a friend philosopher and guide, right? Your teacher can wear all these hats with alacrity. Times NIE salutes teachers for their invaluable life lessons — a teacher who imparts farming skills to make students environmentally conscious, a gutsy educator who fought Taliban for girls’ education, a mathematician who coaches underprivileged students for IIT-JEE, a billionaire who found his true calling in teaching and an paralympic athlete who wants schools to provide gyms and others sports facilities for para-athletes... W hen the Taliban closed down girls schools in Afghanistan, Sakena Yacoobi set up educa- tional institutions undercover. To ensure that the girls were not being tailed, she advised them to take different routes to school every day. What’s more, she changed the school’s location periodically. Today, Sakena and her organisation Institute of Learning run schools, health clinics and hospitals in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Some 19,000 teachers have been trained so far. SAKENA YACOOBI Education is a must for rebuilding lives Universe is not complicat- ed, it’s intriguing NEIL deGRASSE TYSON A teacher since 1984, Ritz made a difference in the lives of children in the South Bronx in New York City by developing a curriculum for indoor gardening. Ritz, author of ‘The Power of the Plant’, was the first teacher to use tower garden growing systems in a classroom set- ting, and today, according to reports, there are more than 6,000 schools in America using them in educational envi- ronment. The food produced in schools are donated to nour- ish the community’s more needy and vulnerable members, as well as feed pupils. “When we teach children about nature, we teach them to nurture. And when we teach chil- dren to nurture, we as a society collectively embrace our better nature,” Ritz said in an interview. STEVEN RITZ N eil deGrasse Tyson is one of the world’s best-known astro- physicists and science com- municators. He presents complex space concepts clearly. A popular TV science expert, Tyson has garnered more than 13 million followers on Twitter. He has written several books, including ‘Death by Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries’ and ‘The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America’s Favorite Planet.’ “One of my goals is to bring the universe down to Earth in a way that further excites the audience to want more,” he once said. Students, here’s a teacher for all your cosmic queries! W hen a student complained that sci- ence textbooks were boring, teacher Tyler DeWitt got thinking. How could he make his lessons fun? DeWitt focused on creating engaging lessons that evoke a sense of wonder in kids and encourage them to think critically. He now hosts YouTube channel ‘Tyler DeWitt,’ with the aim of helping students under- stand and like chemistry. “I dream of a Wikipedia- like website that would explain any scientific con- cept you can think of in simple language any middle schooler can under- stand,”said DeWitt on TED Talks. TYLER DEWITT P halla has been working with visually impaired children since 1986. She is the first Braille teacher in the history of Cambodia. By pro- viding access to quality education, she has made a significant difference to the lives of these children. Today, she coordinates a national education pro- gramme for students with visual impairment. She also gives priority to English lessons and computer skills (using screen reader software) to help prepare them for life in a global world. The visually impaired also need to be educated PHALLA NEANG R ejection is one of those things that we all have to deal with at some point in our lives. But it’s not something that should bog you down. Mentally strong people turn every rejection into a learning experience for self-growth. Consider this: he failed in primary school twice, middle school thrice, thrice at university; faced job rejec- tion over 30 times — at KFC too, where he was the only candidate to be rejected of the 24 who applied — was rejected Life isn’t meant to be easy; temporary defeat is not permanent failure JACK MA from Harvard 10 times... But he is one of the most successful entrepreneurs of the 21st century. This is the true story of Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma who on his 54th birthday, wrote to his employees, cus- tomers and shareholders that he would be stepping down on September 10, 2019, on the company’s 20th anniversary, to go back to teaching. In an interview with Bloomberg, he said: “I think some day, and soon, I’ll go back to teach, go back to education. This is something I have more confidence (in)… I think I can do much better than being Alibaba’s CEO. This is something I want to devote most of my time to when I retire.” Jack Ma’s story is a lesson in perseverance and a never-say-die spirit. It could work in our lives too. Disability is in the mind; one shouldn’t be overwhelmed by it DEEPA MALIK F inancial constraints stopped him from studying at Cambridge University. That spurred Anand Kumar to assist needy students realise their dreams. He set up a coaching school — Super 30 — in Patna to help students crack the tough IIT entrance examination. Kumar does not take dona- tions from any individual or organisation, he manages the funds for this edu- cation programme him- self. Kumar said in an interview: “From the time I started Super 30, my sole inten- tion was to give deserving children an opportunity to realise their dream – a poor financial background should never come in the way of it.” Kumar even received life threats from vested interests but he said “they cannot stop me.” ANAND KUMAR Anything is possible with hard work A ditya Kumar, prominently known as ‘Cycle Guruji’, has taken education to places where schools and teach- ers couldn't reach. This incredible man travels any- where between 60 and 65 km on his bicycle daily to teach kids. He provides free education primarily to kids living in the slum areas of Lucknow. What started as a passion in 1995 when he received no help for his own formal education, is now his mis- sion. He has also travelled to remote parts of the country to spread awareness about the need for education. ADITYA KUMAR If students can’t reach you, go to their doorstep R oshni’s YouTube channel ‘ExamFear Education’ provides quality edu- cation to students — free of cost — through educational lessons in physics, maths, biology and chemistry. Driven by her passion for teaching, Roshni started ‘ExamFear’ in 2011 when she was still working at Wipro. At present, she has more than 5,900 video lessons on her channel, with her subscriber base crossing the 7,60,000-mark. The channel is flooded with appreciation from students. ”I wanted to reach students who can’t afford expensive education. An online platform was the best option to reach them,” she says. R io Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik was recently nominated for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, the country’s highest sporting honour. A paraplegic, Deepa is married to an Armyman and has two children. In 1999, she was diagnosed with a spinal tumour. Even after undergoing three sur- geries, she remained paralysed waist down. Years of physical trauma followed, but she successfully managed a catering busi- ness for seven years. At the age of 36, she finally decided to pur- sue a career in sports. She is the first Indian woman to win a Paralympics medal. Now she wants to launch a campaign to pro- vide gyms and others sports facilities for para-athletes in schools. Her belief: There’s no time to wallow in grief. ARVIND GUPTA Using everyday waste science can be made accessible to millions A rvind Gupta creates toys from trash. From making shapes out of matchsticks and small pieces of a cycle valve tube to using waste paper and making origami-based toys, he instilled the idea of ‘best-out-of-waste’ among kids. He also uploads videos of his techniques on YouTube. “I work with children. Whatever brings a gleam in the child’s eye is the kind of work I do,” said Gupta. In 2018, he was awarded the Padmashri, the highest civilian award for his contribution to the nation. Students, this weekend, collect straws, matchboxes, dried leaves etc and make your own craft. Pick up some ideas from Arvind Gupta too. ROSHNI MUKHERJEE ‘Follow your passion with dedication and determination’ Technology empowers the learning process. However, technology cannot replace or one cannot underesti- mate a teacher’s role as he becomes a mentor or facilitator for the learning process. Former president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Technology can never, and should never, replace them. It can, however, make their lives easier and more efficient so they can spend more time actually teaching. Technology can relieve teachers of unnecessary and tedious work, allow them to streamline their work- flow, feed them with valuable data about what students need, when they need help, and how. Allison Baum, author and entrepreneur “TECHNOLOGY CAN’T REPLACE TEACHERS” The most important thing is a person. A person who incites your curiosity and feeds your curiosity; and machines cannot do that in the same way that people can. Steve Jobs Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important. Bill Gates It is not about the technolo- gy; it’s about sharing knowl- edge and info, communicat- ing efficiently, building learning communities and creating a culture of profes- sionalism in schools. Marion Ginapolis, educator The technology itself is not transformative. It’s the school, the peda- gogy, that is transfor- mative. Tanya Byron, psychologist and writer P hule is described as “one of the first-genera- tion modern Indian feminists.” Phule along with her husband founded the first women's school at Bhide Wada in Pune in 1848. She was also the youngest female school teacher of modern India, at the age of 17 years. However, this position was tough to hold on to, with orthodox men pelting stones, rotten eggs, tomatoes and cow dung at her when she was on her way to school. Nevertheless, she kept working for women’s education. SAVITRIBAI PHULE “Awake, arise and educate. Smash traditions -Liberate.” R abindranath Tagore (1861-1941) started a school at Shantiniketan. Tagore's vision was a world where man exists in perfect harmony with nature. The school attempted to combine Western and Indian philosophies of education, and eventu- ally became a university in 1921. Tagore believed that “the widest road leading to the solution of all our problems is education”. and ‘Neetishastra.’ Chanakya says a man devoid of wealth is not a poor man, but the one who is devoid of educa- tion is actually a pauper in all aspects as his soul is empty of virtues. RABINDRANATH TAGORE “The main objective of teaching is not to give explanations, but knock at the doors of the mind.” H is famous saying was: Education is the mani- festation of perfection already in men. He set up Ramakrishna Mission, in which monks and commoners could jointly undertake the propagation of the philoso- phy of the Vedantas, and var- ious forms of social service. His teachings and philos- ophy could be applied to various aspects of education, faith, character building as well as social issues per- taining at that time. SWAMI VIVEKANANDA “If the poor cannot come to education, educa- tion must reach them, at the plough, in the bak- ery factory, elsewhere.” D espite his greatness as a political leader, Gandhi remained a modest man. “I have noth- ing new to teach the world,” he once said. “Truth and non-violence are as old as the hills.” World civil rights leaders — from Martin Luther King Jr. to Nelson Mandela — have credited Gandhi as a source of their inspiration. MAHATMA GANDHI “Every home is a university and parents are the teachers.” GREATEST INDIAN TEACHERS OF ALL TIMES THE SECRET EDUCATOR THE GREEN SEER IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING COSMIC SUPERHERO THE HEART’S EYE THE TROUBLESHOOTER BIG BOSS THEORY Farming makes us appreciate food and planet SUM IT UP THE BICYCLE PREACHER TOY STORY FEAR - A FORGOTTEN CHAPTER I am responsible for shaping not just students but ignited youth who are the most powerful resource under, on and above the earth. A lso known as Kautilya, he is the first famous Indian scholar. He served as a professor of political science and economics at the Takshila University (in the Punjab province of Pakistan). He later became a teacher at the same university. His two famous books are ‘Arthshastra’ CHANAKYA “Education is your best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere.” Illustration: Arya Praharaj With little innovation, even the toughest concepts can be made easy
Transcript of but ignited youth who are the most powerful III age...
IV
COMMANDMENTS OF APJ KALAM
I will consider myself to be a great teacheronly when I am capable of elevating the aver-age student to the high performance...III
COMMANDMENTS OF APJ KALAM
A teacher’s role is multi-faceted. Had a tiff with your best friend? Don’t know which subjects to choose in your Xth? Not on speaking terms with your mom? You’re looking for a friend philosopher and guide, right? Your teacher can wear all these
hats with alacrity. Times NIE salutes teachers for their invaluable life lessons — a teacher who imparts farming skills to makestudents environmentally conscious, a gutsy educator who fought Taliban for girls’ education, a mathematician who coachesunderprivileged students for IIT-JEE, a billionaire who found his true calling in teaching and an paralympic athlete who wants
schools to provide gyms and others sports facilities for para-athletes...
W hen the Talibancloseddown girls
schools in Afghanistan,Sakena Yacoobi set up educa-tional institutions undercover. Toensure that the girls were notbeing tailed, she advised them totake different routes to school everyday. What’s more, she changed theschool’s location periodically. Today, Sakenaand her organisation Institute of Learning runschools, health clinics and hospitals in Afghanistan andPakistan. Some 19,000 teachers have been trained so far.
SAKENA YACOOBI
Education is a mustfor rebuilding lives
Universe is not complicat-ed, it’s intriguing
NEIL deGRASSE TYSON
A teacher since 1984, Ritz made a difference in the lives of children inthe South Bronx in New York City by
developing a curriculum for indoor gardening. Ritz,author of ‘The Power of the Plant’, was the first teacher
to use tower garden growing systems in a classroom set-ting, and today, according to reports, there are more than6,000 schools in America using them in educational envi-ronment. The food produced in schools are donated to nour-ish the community’s more needy and vulnerable members,as well as feed pupils. “When we teach children aboutnature, we teach them to nurture. And when we teach chil-dren to nurture, we as a society collectively embrace ourbetter nature,” Ritz said in an interview.
STEVEN RITZ
Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of the world’s best-known astro-physicists and science com-
municators. He presents complexspace concepts clearly. A popular TVscience expert, Tyson has garneredmore than 13 million followers on Twitter.He has written several books, including‘Death by Black Hole and Other CosmicQuandaries’ and ‘The Pluto Files: The Rise andFall of America’s Favorite Planet.’ “One of mygoals is to bring the universe down to Earth in a waythat further excites the audience to want more,” he oncesaid. Students, here’s a teacher for all your cosmic queries!
W hen a student complained that sci-ence textbooks were boring, teacherTyler DeWitt got thinking. How could
he make his lessons fun? DeWittfocused on creating engaging lessons
that evoke a sense of wonder inkids and encourage them to think
critically. He now hostsYouTube channel ‘Tyler
DeWitt,’ with the aim ofhelping students under-stand and like chemistry.“I dream of a Wikipedia-like website that would
explain any scientific con-cept you can think of insimple language any middle
schooler can under-stand,”said DeWitt
on TED Talks.
TYLER DEWITT
Phalla has been working with visually impairedchildren since 1986. She is the first Brailleteacher in the history of Cambodia. By pro-
viding access to quality education, she has made asignificant difference to the lives of these children.
Today, she coordinates a national education pro-gramme for students with visual impairment. She also
gives priority to English lessons and computer skills(using screen reader software) to help prepare them for
life in a global world.
The visually impaired also needto be educated
PHALLA NEANG
Rejection is one of those things that we all haveto deal with at some point in our lives. But it’s notsomething that should bog you down. Mentally
strong people turn every rejection into a learning experiencefor self-growth. Consider this: he failed in primary schooltwice, middle school thrice, thrice at university; faced job rejec-
tion over 30 times — at KFC too, where he was the onlycandidate to be rejected of the 24 who applied — was rejected
Life isn’t meant to be easy; temporarydefeat is not permanent failure
JACK MA
from Harvard 10 times... But he is one of the most successfulentrepreneurs of the 21st century. This is the true story
of Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma who on his 54thbirthday, wrote to his employees, cus-
tomers and shareholders that he wouldbe stepping down on September 10,
2019, on the company’s 20thanniversary, to go back to
teaching. In an interview withBloomberg, he said: “I thinksome day, and soon, I’ll goback to teach, go back toeducation. This is somethingI have more confidence
(in)… I think I can do muchbetter than being Alibaba’sCEO. This is something I want
to devote most of my time towhen I retire.” Jack Ma’s story is
a lesson in perseverance and anever-say-die spirit. It could work in
our lives too.
Disability is in the mind; one shouldn’t beoverwhelmed by it
DEEPA MALIK
F inancial constraints stopped him from studying at Cambridge University. Thatspurred Anand Kumar to assist needy
students realise their dreams. He set up acoaching school — Super 30 — in Patnato help students crack the toughIIT entrance examination.Kumar does not take dona-tions from any individual ororganisation, he managesthe funds for this edu-cation programme him-self. Kumar said in aninterview: “From thetime I started Super30, my sole inten-tion was to givedeserving children anopportunity to realisetheir dream – a poorfinancial backgroundshould never come in the wayof it.” Kumar even receivedlife threats from vested interestsbut he said “they cannot stop me.”
ANAND KUMAR
Anything is possible withhard work
A ditya Kumar, prominently known as ‘Cycle Guruji’, hastaken education to places where schools and teach-ers couldn't reach. This incredible man travels any-
where between 60 and 65 km on his bicycle daily to teach kids.He provides free education primarily to kids living in the slumareas of Lucknow. What started as a passion in 1995 when hereceived no help for his own formal education, is now his mis-sion. He has also travelled to remote parts of the country tospread awareness about the need for education.
ADITYA KUMAR
If students can’t reach you, go totheir doorstep
Roshni’s YouTube channel ‘ExamFear Education’provides quality edu-
cation to students — free ofcost — through educationallessons in physics, maths,biology and chemistry.
Driven by her passionfor teaching, Roshni
started ‘ExamFear’ in2011 when she wasstill working atWipro. At present,she has more than 5,900
video lessons on her channel,with her subscriber base crossingthe 7,60,000-mark. The channel is flooded
with appreciation from students. ”I wanted to reach students whocan’t afford expensive education. An online platform was the best option
to reach them,” she says.
R io Paralympics silver medallist Deepa Malik was recentlynominated for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, thecountry’s highest sporting honour. A paraplegic, Deepa
is married to an Armyman and has two children. In 1999, she wasdiagnosed with a spinal tumour. Even after undergoing three sur-geries, she remained paralysed waist down. Years of physicaltrauma followed, but she successfully managed a catering busi-ness for seven years. At the age of 36, she finally decided to pur-sue a career in sports. She is the first Indian woman to win aParalympics medal. Now she wants to launch a campaign to pro-vide gyms and others sports facilities for para-athletes inschools. Her belief: There’s no time to wallow in grief.
ARVIND GUPTA
Using everyday waste science can bemade accessible to millions
Arvind Gupta creates toys from trash. From making shapesout of matchsticks and small pieces of a cycle valve tubeto using waste paper and making origami-based toys, he
instilled the idea of ‘best-out-of-waste’ among kids. He alsouploads videos of his techniques onYouTube. “I work with children.Whatever brings a gleam in thechild’s eye is the kind of workI do,” said Gupta. In 2018,he was awarded thePadmashri, the highestcivilian award for hiscontribution to thenation. Students, thisweekend, collectstraws, matchboxes, driedleaves etc and make yourown craft. Pick up someideas from Arvind Gupta too.
ROSHNI MUKHERJEE
‘Follow your passion with dedication and determination’
Technology empowers thelearning process. However,technology cannot replaceor one cannot underesti-mate a teacher’s role as he becomes a mentor orfacilitator for the learning process.Former president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
Technology can never, andshould never, replace them.It can, however, make their lives easierand more efficient so they can spendmore time actually teaching. Technologycan relieve teachers ofunnecessary and tediouswork, allow them tostreamline their work-flow, feed them withvaluable data aboutwhat students need,when they need help,and how. Allison Baum, author and entrepreneur
“TECHNOLOGY CAN’T REPLACE TEACHERS”The most importantthing is a person. Aperson who incitesyour curiosity andfeeds your curiosity;and machines cannotdo that in the sameway that people can. Steve Jobs
Technology is just a tool. Interms of getting the kidsworking together andmotivating them, theteacher is most important.Bill Gates
It is not about the technolo-gy; it’s about sharing knowl-edge and info, communicat-ing efficiently, buildinglearning communities andcreating a culture of profes-sionalism in schools. Marion Ginapolis, educator
The technology itself isnot transformative. It’sthe school, the peda-gogy, that is transfor-mative.Tanya Byron, psychologist and writer
Phule is described as“one of the first-genera-
tion modern Indian feminists.”Phule along with her husbandfounded the first women'sschool at Bhide Wada in Punein 1848. She was also theyoungest female schoolteacher of modern India, atthe age of 17 years. However,this position was tough to hold
on to, with orthodox men pelting stones, rotten eggs,tomatoes and cow dung at her when she was on her
way to school. Nevertheless, she kept workingfor women’s education.
SAVITRIBAI PHULE
“Awake, arise and educate. Smash traditions -Liberate.” Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) started a
school at Shantiniketan. Tagore's vision wasa world where man exists in perfect harmony withnature. The school attempted to combine Westernand Indian philosophies of education, and eventu-ally became a university in 1921. Tagore believedthat “the widest road leading to the solution ofall our problems is education”.
and ‘Neetishastra.’ Chanakyasays a man devoid of wealthis not a poor man, but theone who is devoid of educa-tion is actually a pauper in allaspects as his soul is emptyof virtues.
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
“The main objective of teaching is not to give explanations, butknock at the doors of the mind.”
H is famous saying was:Education is the mani-
festation of perfectionalready in men. He set upRamakrishna Mission, inwhich monks and commonerscould jointly undertake thepropagation of the philoso-phy of the Vedantas, and var-ious forms of social service. His teachings and philos-ophy could be applied to various aspects of education,faith, character building as well as social issues per-taining at that time.
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
“If the poor cannot come to education, educa-tion must reach them, at the plough, in the bak-ery factory, elsewhere.” Despite his greatness as a
political leader, Gandhiremained a modest man. “I have noth-ing new to teach the world,” he oncesaid. “Truth and non-violence are asold as the hills.” World civil rightsleaders — from Martin Luther King Jr. to Nelson Mandela —have credited Gandhi as a source of their inspiration.
MAHATMA GANDHI
“Every home is a university and parents are the teachers.”
GREATEST INDIAN TEACHERS OF ALL TIMES
THE SECRET EDUCATOR THE GREEN SEERIMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING
COSMIC SUPERHERO THE HEART’S EYE
THE TROUBLESHOOTER
BIG BOSS THEORY
Farming makes usappreciate food and planet
SUM IT UP
THE BICYCLE PREACHER
TOY STORY FEAR - A FORGOTTEN CHAPTER
I am responsible for shaping not just studentsbut ignited youth who are the most powerfulresource under, on and above the earth.
A lso known as Kautilya, he is the first famous Indian scholar. Heserved as a professor of political science and economics at the
Takshila University (in the Punjab province of Pakistan). He later becamea teacher at the same university. His two famous books are ‘Arthshastra’
CHANAKYA“Education is your best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere.”
Illustration: Arya Praharaj
With little innovation, even thetoughest concepts can be made easy
