learnings

Today I shared some of my poems with a colleague. It struck me that I haven’t written in a long time. During the flood calamity in my city I had penned two poems after a very long gap. When there are problems we move towards creativity, we seek solutions, we think of alternatives. Problems need not be merely negative. It could be any situation needing a solution. I would recommend Seth Godin’s post on this topic. So wonderful and precise

It has been a month since I have actually gone to work. I hear students and colleagues complaining of boredom. They do not know what to do with time on their hands. Parents are bored of having children at home (sic). My friend and I spent  some time gazing at the rain washed landscape. We suddenly remarked together that we never feel or get bored. We just savour every moment. So it always comes as a surprise when I hear people saying they get bored! I always find something to do. My greatest companions during such unexpected holidays have been books. Books, relief work, cleaning, movies, sleeping in late  and hanging out at home.... so much was there to do.

Happy to bleed... This is the latest trending now ..I am a tad too late in writing this... It is just shocking that a priest can say such derogatory remark about women in a  Literate state like Kerala- the land which once upon a time had a matriarchal culture!!! And the women haven't protested.In a state where for anything and everything  there is either a hartal or bandh!!! God made Man.Man made Religion. So obviously man made the rules. Sadly over the years women have got conditioned so much that today they fear... fear to oppose, fear of god's wrath (sic) fear of being punished (by?) fear of misfortune.. Why feel impure? Why be made to feel impure? It is a big fat joke that ads featuring sanitary napkins use  the famous blue blot while the woman and her body is portrayed sensually or sexually to sell cars,calendars etc. I am happy to bleed. I am a woman proud. My body I love, every nook, corner and curve... As I always sigh and say will my country ever shi...

As a teacher and Counsellor I have had many students come up to me to share their feelings and thoughts. As parents the only thing we can and should offer is a safe home- emotionally safe ( I am not getting into personal/physical safety). A home where children feel emotionally secure, a home where they WANT to go back to....This is the simplest but most difficult to accomplish. Are we being 'open' to our children? Are we ready to 'accept' them as separate entities? Are we giving them love with 'no strings attached'? Are we just 'listening' to them? Are we even 'seeing' them? Are we 'caring' ? Children don't need your gifts. They need You. In several instance when homes aren't such safe havens, the next place is the school. Are schools i.e teachers equipped to bring about an atmosphere of happiness, caring, acceptance and love? Can we make our schools at least  a safe haven? 

After a long hiatus I return. I had vowed to myself that I would merely gloss over the newspaper to avoid the anger and depression that well in me on reading in detail! Yet I couldn't help reading 2 articles relating to the CALLOUSNESS of the teachers concerned. Article 1: In Srinagar a young boy of 17/18  years committed suicide. Reason? he had failed in his favourite subject. On revaluation it was found that he had actually topped the class. Yes the boy should not have taken this path. He should have /could have... But then is it also not the responsibility of the evaluator? Should not the evaluating teacher be concerned and cautious of the papers he or she is evaluating. If we know someone is failing can we not take a few moments to cross check if we have missed out/ evaluated properly/ check if we can give some grace marks??? Cannot we teachers be more humane while correcting papers/tests? If the student has not attempted answers or has done it very badly then it is underst...

I lost 2 family members I went thro' hell I emerged anew Smiling and well dressed But hey don't brush me off   I am highly myopic I have a permanent allergy I still smile and dress well But hey don't brush me off   I do face life's tensions and stress I am like a see saw between people sometimes I still smile and dress well But hey don't brush me off   I deal with mistrust and suspicion Jealousy and bipolar thoughts I still smile and dress well But hey don't brush me off   I am victim of groping and abuse Verbal and emotional I still smile and dress well But hey don't brush me off     This poem is written for all anonymous women who face challenges yet rise and shine. They are brushed off by society very callously. They face remarks like, 'What for you..'   'If you are suffering'  'would you even..'  lucky  you have faced only this... now you are lucky.... such a blessed life. ...

I cam across this article on how to avoid being a   Helicopter Teacher . I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I have heard of helicopter parenting so this was novel and exciting. From my 25 years of experience I endorse the stand completely. Initially I used to take pride in offering solutions to students when they sought clarifications. I had all answers to their queries and even went a step further to hand hold in every project. Till I realised ( during my Teaching Excellence Achievement Program to Nebraska, USA ). I witnessed teachers asking, 'What do you think?' leaving open ended questions to the students. It was marvellous to see the outcome. A simple but powerful question leaving the power of thinking/ problem solving/ decision making to the students. Guidance is necessary but not to the extent of pouring our thoughts and perspective onto the students'! The International Baccalaureate curriculum is a great one as it enables students to be research minded, open min...