So long I have been writing about the different events and my observations while I ran ZAF’s Model English School in a village in India. This post is my story, feelings and comments for ZAF. I came to the village exactly one year and ten days ago to teach… Went on to become the Principal […]
Category Archives: ZAF stories.
A “Haali” Change :)
This little incident happened in class today and I couldn’t help smiling about it all day. It is a rather small event but marks a milestone in my efforts with the little students in the village school. Before I tell you about it though, you’ll have to learn new vocabulary. The local (Bhojpuri) term for […]
What to Teach and How.
Running the school administration and my stay in the village has been an eye opener. Seeing people struggle, debate and quit at things I considered obvious and, “what’s there to ask in it?” comes as a surprise and the realization that indeed we have a long way to go. Take Education- its food, clothing, shelter […]
Updating…
I am back home for a couple of days. Back in Mumbai. With the regular updates from the teachers, and constant revisions and reminders, I know my school’s running well. I am totally connected 🙂
A special study.
I am glad I studied Psychology. No other subject is helping me understand and run the school as much as the knowledge to understand and comprehend human psyche and development. To know each student well and know their mental development, I gave each one a book with blank white sheets and colors to draw, scribble […]
A Meeting of Sorts.
After teaching for about three months, and right before the mid term exam, I scheduled a mother teacher meeting at school. I sent out notices, and got phone calls from almost all the parents, asking if all was okay!! Turns out, they were not aware that formal meeting was a thing that happened at schools […]
Building a Rapport
The first step in any meeting, any communication is building a rapport. If you begin right, there is a high chance you will succeed in achieving your goals or at least, begin with the ball in your court. I was to meet 30 or more women from the village and had to engage them in […]
The fun has arrived!!!
The first admission I gave to a little boy from the village– When he entered my office, I was sitting at the table with the forms all neatly arranged in front of me, my excel sheet open for entering the data, and I smiled as warmly as I could. I had expected the kids would […]
Observations from some background study.
Take a ride across Azamgarh U.P, go through all its little villages, small market places, the two things you will definitely find are- Shops selling cheap country liquor and Schools. Schools, with and without – rooftops, tables and chairs, proper lighting, teaching staff, etc. But yes, they have students. Everyone is sending their children to […]
How it all started.
I gave my last exam of BA on the 30th of May, 2009, hoping and praying that it would be my final encounter with the University of Mumbai. I am still continuing with those prayers. Well, so my college was done with, and I had to think of, what next? And then came the long […]