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REFLECTION ON MY TEACHING PRACTICES
By:MUNIR MOOSA SEWANI
"Education should be considered not as a moulding of perfectly plastic
substances, nor as a filling of empty minds, nor as a creation of powers, but
rather as the provision of opportunity for healthy bodily and mental life."
I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do every thing, but still I can dosomething, and because I cannot do every thing, I will not refuse to do
something that I can do.
Reflecting upon my teaching always provides us many dimensions of
learning. It helps a teacher to improve and overcome my weaknesses. WhenI entered the field of teaching, I was an amateur. I had many questions in
mind: will the students accept me? Am I really creative enough to bringabout changes in teaching profession? For a couple of months, I was indenial- I did not accept criticism, and thought myself as a best teacher! But I
wasnt. I learnt gradually that without reflecting on teaching practices, itwouldnt have been possible to improve. As time passed, I started reflectingupon my teaching. This was actually a transformation process and taught me
how to be a reflective teacher.
During eight years of secular and religious teaching, I came across many
challenges. I accepted these and theyve served as a real evaluation tool foranalyzing my teaching growth.
Here Im sharing two students examples, whose life was changed because ofmy little effort.
On the first day of my teaching at Religious Centre to class 1, I came acrossa slow learner child. While I was teaching, he distracted the attention of theothers. He started patting book on others. When I asked questions, he wasblank. For few days, I avoided him. The more I avoided, the more he mis-
behaved. I talked to incharge to call his parents. When his parents told methat he was a slow learner, I felt shamed how I ignored him on the basis of
his behavior. That event changed my life. At that time, I decided to carry onlearning about his problem. I read books and developed different activities
and designed easy lessons. I also gave him extra time. I used activity basedmethods of teaching. At the end of a year, he was able to learn few things.
The head decided to fail him. Being a responsible teacher, I decided thatrather than de-motivating, we should appreciate him for learning something.
He was shifted to class two. After few years of repetition, he was promotedto class three, where fortunately, I was given a chance to be his teacher
again. His mother was guided by the Head to send him to Special School.Being a responsible teacher, I denied and took his Adaptive Behavior Skill
testing, which I learnt during my Master Trainer in special education, andidentified him as a slow learner not a disabled child.
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During class 3, I involved him more in class activities. He was allowed to sitwhere ever he wanted to sit in class. I also taught him basic skills. His
parents were happy with my efforts. At the end of year, he learnt few things.But again, his gradual learning and improvement in behavior was anachievement.
While teaching him, I observed his interest in graphics, so I told his parentsabout it. Ive wherever possible raised my voice to keep him in the centreand continue to learn. I feel its important to cater such children. For there
will be many more like him wholl need the attention of the teacher and theCentre. We as a team can make a difference in their lives. This is something
which hopefully will be understood in years to come with more awareness ofchildren with special needs.
The tool of appreciation and extra attention brought change in his life. Today,Im happy that although hes studying gradually, but working as a graphic
helper with his dad too.
I believe that every child can learn, regardless of their abilities/disabilities.Accepting challenges and demonstrating confidence to bring change is the
sign of a reflective practitioner.
A child may be aggressive to his teacher or to his classmates. Such behaviormay be due to his not receiving due attention at home. When he comes to
find a free life at school, he behaves like an animal released from a chain.
I also dealt with an aggressive student. He had an arrogant attitude. Once, I
gave him a sheet of paper to draw picture; he tore the paper and told that he
wasnt a kid. Many times, I discouraged him; even he wanted to shareanything. Once I taught students that no one can become master of all. Hetold me that hes a master. I calmly denied his sayings. On the next day, he
brought a chair made of old wooden box. I was sure he hadnt made it. Butwhen he told me the steps, I was astounded. It was my mistake to de-motivate him. I wouldve encouraged him rather than discouraging. I realizedthat if we are to criticize, it should be done constructively. We should
appreciate children to share rather than taping their lips.
Children are like a pot of flowers. If you'll give them proper attention, they'll
grow up properly; but if you'll give them lack of attention or extreme care,theyll be destroyed.
Being a reflective teacher, I decided to know the real cause behind hisaggressiveness. I met his parents and learnt that they hadnt much time due
to work. I counseled and told them the reason behind his childaggressiveness. They realized it.
This time, I tried a tool of encouragement. I asked for friendship. He taughtall the students making different things. Whenever, he brought any thing, I
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appreciated him. Gradually I learnt about his talents of music, painting, etc.Currently, hes in grade 7. His vision is to be a scientist. Just a little
appreciation and parent counseling brought change in him. Today, he provedto be a brilliant gem.
Today, Im happy to call myself a reflective teacher, whose objective is tomould children ethically; to nurture them; to explore their creativity and tocater the needs of children with special needs.
It is a request to all the teachers to reflect back on their teaching practices aswell, in order to bring change in the lives of their students, while improvingthemselves too.
Munir Moosa Sewani is one of the most famous, prominent and creativenames in the field of Education in the past 8 years. He is a Master Trainer In
Special Education, Post Graduate, Teacher Educator and a Teacher. He is anauthor of the famous self-published storybook for children named as "The
MORAL STORIES FOR CHILDREN" and has also written Biology course book
for Secondary Classes. He has written almost more than 50 articlesinternationally on many websites and numerous newsletters dealing withsocial, health, educational and cultural issues, which are internationally
recognized and published in most of the famous world wide websites,magazines and newspapers.
He is also a Social worker, private tutor, career counselor, musician, lyricswriter and have multi- dimensional talents.
His future plan is to write dozens of informative books and articles and towork for education and media also, in order to develop the sense ofunderstanding many dimensions of life through his creativity.
Teaching: A Challenging and Reflective Profession
By:Salima Moosa Sewani
Teaching is a profession of learning and growing intellectually. The learningof a teacher only takes place when s/he agrees to bring changes and to
accept criticism from others.
When I started teaching, with time I understood that I had many flaws,
which I accepted whole heartedly. I was a person who always looks for
improvement. Gradually I realized that I became a better teacher, and thathappened because of taking feedback from others and by being conscious ofthe effectiveness of my teaching style and strategies. During my vastteaching experience, I always followed this quote,
To reach the highest, always start with the lowest.
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I followed this from the issue of curriculum to the issue of lesson planning;from the identification of children with learning problems to the issues related
to teachers demotivation; I came across many challenges.
After the completion of my Montessori training dated back in 2001, I joined
the Progressive Public School for teaching practicum. There, I came acrossone challenging student. On the last month of my teaching practice, onedisturbed child entered my class. Within no time, he started a tantrum,shouting in the class. He was moving like a pendulum without any fear of a
teachers presence. When I tried to make him sit, he hit me and spat on me.When I gave him an activity to paste a picture, he tore his own and others'
activity sheets. The whole class was distracted due to his aggressivebehavior. I was very confused as to what to do and how to control his
behavior. I scolded him, but that didnt work. Maybe my strategy to deal withhim was wrong. I used many techniques to tackle him, but he didnt respondto any strategies. I detected few of his problems which helped me tocategorize the major solution of problems.
First was his lack of understanding level. He was never able to follow theinstruction given by me. The second problem was his chronological age. The
average age of the class was 4 to 5 , but he was 10 years old. It showed thatthe normal milestone progression of his development was delayed. The third
problem was his learning capacity, which was almost zero as compared tothe other children learning, which was at average. The fourth main problem
was his hyper activity. He didnt sit on his seat. I tried to make him sit besideme by holding his hands, but all the time, he broke his arm free and ranaway from class. I used to chase him, because he would often run all overthe school and kick anyone who grasped him. After a week, there were no
changes felt by me and my efforts ended in smoke. I tried to explain this tomy headmistress, but she didnt accept my assertion and gave the same
statement, "Its your duty to manage him in class."
At that time, I was working with Aga Khan Rehabilitation Centre. I had taken
a few trainings of Inclusive Education, which helped me to identify that hehad a behavior problem. I consulted his parents. Initially the mother didnt
accept that her child had a behavior problem but after much convincing, theparents accepted that a child was hyperactive since childhood. The mother ofthe child was uneducated and father was busy in his big business - thatswhy they never initiated to consult a psychologist to modify his behavior.
Behavior problems (and what is normal behavior) in a child is determined bythe childs age, physical and emotional development, personality and what is
socially and culturally acceptable in his or her surroundings.
I came to know that this was his fourth school and the previous schools
expelled him due to his behavior problem, from which his development wasdelayed. Afterwards, I talked to the headmistress and discussed the whole
scenario. She agreed and allowed me to begin parents' counseling. Being a
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reflective practitioner, I encouraged his parents to send him to any otherschool where he could learn and adjust in a proper environment. There were
some schools in Karachi which were catering such children. His parentsagreed. I was fortunate that my decision was right! Today, hes studying in anormal school. If I wouldnt have sent him to the relevant school, he mighthave lost his years without learning anything.
The second issue, which I would like to raise, is the many challenges thatteachers face. During my teaching practicum for STEP, I decided to teach
class seven. I saw the lesson plans and the files of the preceding year. I sawthat there was no proper lesson planning being done by the teachers. The
teachers told me that they used to teach students from the curriculum bookrather than initiating any proper planning.
The teacher is the good leader of the class and future generation. Theteacher has to play a variety of roles which will assist to growth and
development of student personalities
Then I asked the previous students and took their feedback which gave mean idea that there were no activities for any lesson. The teacher taught in a
theoretical way. No audio visual aids were being used.
Being a reflective teacher, I worked a lot and developed few lesson plansaccording to their level and need. Teaching should be practical and
revolutionary, so I used effective and innovative strategies in which studentsparticipated to the greatest extent possible. Everyday I energized my
students by using different stories and activities. I used library books tointegrate my lessons with the Quran, Ginan and Farman. The strategy to
teach students with integrated activities worked well and they all showed alot of interest and participated fully with enthusiasm.
I am happy to adopt the teaching profession. It has given me a platform tolearn a lot. I am trying my level best to fulfill the expectations of my studentsand to prepare them for the challenges, which will be faced by them in thefuture ahead.
Salima Moosa Sewani has been in the field of teaching for 7 years. She isrunning her own Learning Center and also working with the Exceptional
People. This is her first experience to share with the audience. She is aMaster Trainer and has done many teaching certifications.
How to Help Your Children Succeed in School
By:Barbara Freedman-De Vito
Introduction
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As a parent who wants the best for your children, there are undoubtedlymany things that you already do every day to help your children succeed in
school. The purpose of this article is to provide some practical ideas for youto try. Some of these suggestions may be new to you, many will be familiar,and some are just plain common sense but, hopefully, they will all serve asreminders of the many simple steps you can take that are too often taken for
granted or forgotten about, due to the hectic pace of everyday living.
Read to your kids, whatever their ages
First of all, read to your children. We all know that this is important, but I'dlike to point out that reading aloud should begin in infancy. It can contribute
to your baby's developing attention span and receptive language skills. Inaddition, I'd like to encourage parents to read to growing children, even once
they are able to read on their own. Don't stop once your kids are inelementary school for, whatever the status of their reading skills, hearing a
good book read aloud is an experience apart.
Being read to allows children to focus more on the descriptive passages andthe action, rather than having to struggle with understanding every single
word. It also allows them to hear great children's stories that are beyondtheir current reading level, and it's a wonderful way for a family to share amagical experience. Choose a children's book that can also be enjoyed by
you as an adult, and have a family reading session each evening or eachweek. A classic children's story, such as "The Wind in the Willows," or the
Harry Potter books might be perfect for your family, depending on the agesand interests of your children.
Encourage independent reading and library use
Offer quality children's literature to your growing children and encourage
them to read on their own - at their own level and at their own pace. Fictionand nonfiction can both open up new worlds of knowledge and experienceand help prepare kids for success in school and in adult life, and don't forgetthat online children's stories are an exciting new resource to add to your
reading repertoire.
Take your children to the local public library. Be sure that each member of
the family has his or her own library card. Help your children see the publiclibrary not just as a place associated with homework and drudgery, but
rather as an exciting doorway to interesting information and adventure.Encourage library book borrowing related to any special topic that interests
your kids - from astronomy to adventure stories, from fact to fantasy.
Get your kids to participate in some of the special free extra activities and
programs that are regularly scheduled in many public libraries, likestoryhours, craft projects, films, and summer reading clubs. Take yourchildren to museums, concerts, puppet shows and the like. Expose them to
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any forms of entertainment and cultural enrichment that you may be luckyenough to have access to.
Develop effective research skills and good study habits
Help your kids develop research skills that will serve them well, not only onschool projects, but later in daily life as an adult. For instance, if you'replanning a family trip, let the kids conduct library and Internet-based
research on possible destinations, sites of interest, driving or flying routes,and how to dress appropriately for the climate of your destination spot. Ifyou're thinking of buying a new car, let your kids take part in your consumerresearch, comparing different car models according to a variety of pertinent
criteria.
Nurture good study habits and self-discipline. Set aside a regular, daily study
time for homework in a quiet, well-lit room. Be sure that your kids have astudy environment that's sound physically, as well as conducive to mental
concentration. A quiet room is important, but so too is good lighting, a chairthat provides good back support and access to all the materials that yourchildren need to complete projects. Supply them with pencils, erasers, rulers,
and so forth.
Encourage kids to keep their desk or other study area neat and wellorganized. This will prevent lots of time-wasting searches for materials and
will really pay off as your children get older and their school assignmentsbecome more complex. Good organizational skills, which include the
arrangement of physical objects, plus the logical structuring of the stepsinvolved in completing any given project, can last a lifetime.
Take an interest in your kids' day-to-day school life
Take an interest in your children's school projects. Encourage them to show
you reports they've written or pictures they've drawn. Make them see thatyou care about what they're doing and about how they're doing, but don't
make them feel like they're constantly being monitored or judged. Don't addpressure, just give them plenty of support, encouragement and praise for
jobs well done. Provide them with the resources they need (such as Internetaccess, library time, books and magazine articles) to do a good job on school
assignments, but... resist the temptation to do the school projects for them.
Take the same approach with everyday homework. If your child's having
trouble with a math problem, review the rules, explain the procedures, andcheck the results, but don't just give a child the answers. The learning
process is more important than a list of correct answers to hand in to theteacher.
Go that extra mile
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Among the most precious gifts that you can give to your children is yourtime. Put them first and make time for them. Build a happy, stable home
environment, full of love and security, and you've already gone a long waytowards helping your children thrive and succeed both in school and in life.Be involved in the big and the small events that make up their daily lives.Offer your support, encouragement, resources and love. Be there for them,
no matter how busy your professional life is or whatever other commitmentsyou have. Before you know it your children will be grown up and what they'll
become depends largely on you. For their sake, as well as for your own,make the most of their childhood.
There are no pearls of wisdom here, just a refresher course in things thatwe've all heard a million times, but don't always stop to take them to heart.
They're so important that they deserve our attention, to periodically remindus of what really counts in life.
Teacher Training Schools
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Accommodations can be arranged at a near-by local hotel either in town oron the beach (Florida campuses). Host family accommodations are alsoavailable.
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Hands-on teaching and the natural approach to second language acquisitionis the methodology used at Language Exchange International. It is the same
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Included in the Program: Needs analysis; cultural awareness and sensitivity;
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The Rassias drilling techniqueTeaching TOEFL and Business English
Brainstorming sessions with colleaguesTesting and evaluation of trainees
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