Teachers are the potters that shape young minds: Ms Joyoti Chaudhuri

In the words of Ms. Joyoti Chaudhuri, Delhi Public School Ruby Park, 21st century skills and multidisciplinary abilities are as important as it is to be kind. And this Teacher’s Day, she calls for a shift in teaching so that we can nurture kind, responsible and successful citizens for this century.

Dr. Radha Krishnan said years ago, “True teachers are those who help us think for ourselves”.

Education should aim towards building life skills, and character that enable learners to be adaptive, compassionate, rational and ethical.

India is moving towards becoming a developed country. India will also have the highest population of young people in the world over the next decade. This is the 21st century, the century of innovation and global change, an opportunity for us to take India to its pinnacle of glory. Hence, teaching for the future is to ensure that students not only learn but, more importantly, learn how to learn. Multidisciplinary abilities, to think critically and creatively, solve problems and to have 21^st century skills will be greatly increasing in demand.

The post pandemic world is rooted in technology. Digitisation must be utilised to bring out the best in students and groom them to become responsible and confident global citizens. Hence, the foundation of the pedagogy should be to nurture young minds to realise their innate potential.

While shaping young minds to accomplish their dreams and goals, teachers must plan meticulously and closely monitor what students are doing to engage their heads, their hearts, and their hands. The 3Cs-Care, Concern and Consideration should be the very bedrock of the teaching learning process.

Teachers must also create a conducive learning environment that inspires students to discover and apply what they learn in their lives. They should make young learners feel special, safe and secure when they are in their classrooms. When students are honed with the tools of learning - such as analysis, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, expression, flexibility and persistence—they enthusiastically use them to take charge of their own learning. Thus, learners must be taught to become changemakers by imbibing confidence. Students need to be well equipped to handle pressure with patience and perseverance. As Mahatma Gandhi aptly said, “The future depends on what we do in the present”.

The last two years of the pandemic has impacted everyone, especially children. The new normal brings new challenges which need to be embraced positively. Being compassionate, empathetic and sensitive towards the environment will enable students to become true global citizens of tomorrow.

In the words of August Pullman in the movie Wonder “Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle. And if you really want to see what people are, all you have to do is look.”