Trips, Basketball and MORE! 

It amazes me how much thought and care has been put into our visit of six-weeks. Everything has been planned so much in advance and so well too. To give us a wonderful cultural experience, trips and cultural activities were planned for each week. These have made our visit so fulfilling an experience.  

Visiting the Library of Congress and Capitol Building at Washington D.C., George Washington's estate--Mt. Vernon, National Aquarium and Inner Harbour at Baltimore---were all wonderful experiences for all of us. Being introduced to the local cuisine was the other highlight of the trips. 

The trip to Glebe Elementary School's International Day celebrations at Arlington was very interesting---there was so much diversity in one school. It was great to see so many countries represented there. 

Going for the Oakton school's women's basketball match was another learning experience. How competitive and professional in their approach are American high schools when it comes to sports, was well reflected throughout the close fought match.  

I enjoyed these excursions thoroughly and got to know more about America each time.  

Making English FUN!

Dr. April Mattix's classes were not on my schedule, but I went to all her classes as they were so engaging and lots of FUN! I learnt a lot of techniques to develop reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. What I found most interesting was her approach to learning---if it was so much fun for us to play games leading to learning, how much more it can be for our students. Her repertoire of meaningful, engaging games seems to be endless---sharing these with my colleagues would be a great boon for the kids as it would make our classes so much more lively. 

What I also found amazing was our (TEA colleagues) growing love for her storytelling---it was so infectious! I would have never believed before our classes how eagerly we all waited for the storytelling sessions in each class.  It was amusing to watch our faces lighting up in happiness listening to stories for three year olds. This made me realise how powerful a simple story can be in engaging a class and in inculcating the habit of reading among students. Hats off to you, April, for making such good listeners out of us! 

Dinners and Lunches!

Our teachers' welcomed us to their homes and families and never let us feel homesick. Starting with a fabulous Indian lunch at Dr. Supriya Baily's home, which was soon followed by a delicious Iranian one at Dr. Farnoosh Shahrokhi's, we knew how lucky we were! Food, after all, was a wonderful way to get to know the cultures of different places around the world. It was also a welcome change for us all from the monotony of the hotel food.

Megan Garnett gave us the authentic American barbecue experience and we loved it! Thank you teachers for opening your hearts and homes to us and making us feel so wanted in a new place!

My Experiences at Robinson Secondary School!

Exploring the American schooling system from close quarters at one of the largest schools in the county---Robinson Secondary School---was a fascinating experience!

I had the opportunity to observe different classes and different grades. The differences with my school were evident to me quite clearly---the technological gap was huge---we barely had in technology to scaffold learning. But, do my students look forward to it? YES, they do. Kids everywhere in the world understand how important technology is in today's world and they are very comfortable using it. I wish I could give some of this technological advantage to my students. 

I saw some amazing classes---Tech Ed., where the students were creating stuff that would help solve an authentic problem. In the Art class students were engaged in creating ceramic items or sculpting. In the gym I saw the students go through a fascinating routine of exercises accompanied by loud rock music---what fun! Everywhere there was an abundance of gadgets and tools, something that my school can only dream of. 

In the Science or Math or English or Social Studies class I felt the teachers were doing a great job. They were so engaged with the students. There was such a lot of hands-on activity going on in class. Technology was being used every step of the way and the students were adept at using it. 

The number of electives available to students was mind-boggling---they could choose from so many. The class that impressed me the most was-- "World Religion". Five major religions of the world and their tenets were being taught through the course and the discussions in this class proved how enriching the course was. Students were discussing the various facets of each religion and were getting to know that all religions had "peace and love" at it's core---I felt each country should have a course like this as it is so relevant in today's world full of conflicts. 

I attended three different staff meetings which helped me understand how teachers function in the school environment here---very organised and meticulous, I'd say. I observed, learnt and decided what could be incorporated in my school. The Robinson experience has helped me in taking back so many new ideas and techniques for all the teachers in my school and local community.

Parties and Birthdays!

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"---We were not Jack for sure! Parties and a lot of fun has been a part of this enjoyable experience. In every party we had it was time to discover each other better---Who sings well,? Who doesn't (but, still sings!!)---Who dances well? Who is the best DJ. 

Everyone wanted others to know about their country's popular songs and I found the energetic hunt for songs on youtube really entertaining. Party talk centred around varied topics, including discussions about "tomorrow's homework" while dancing was on full swing! We were after all teachers!!

Birthday celebrations were special as we tried to make up for the absence of their family and friends. I know our friends will remember this birthday for a long time.    

Special Needs Classes!

Dr. Anya Evmenova, opened my eyes to the world of the children with various abilities and needs. I had always found some students in my classes were slow learners and they needed special attention. As our school cannot have specialised teachers with training to help these kids, I always felt that I was lacking in my abilities when I was dealing with these students. Through the various techniques Dr. Anya showed us and the discussions we had in class I am now confident of helping these kids better. I can now identify kids with special needs in my classes and take proper measures so that they are keeping up with the rest of the class. This training is going to help me immensely in class and also my school as I will share this knowledge with my fellow teachers. 

Individualised Education Program (IEP), the individual school program developed for each kid with disabilities is an amazing way to enable each kid to be integrated in the classroom. In my school experience I saw this being done in each American classroom---wonderful!

Being introduced to the Mason Life program, I felt that the university is doing a fantastic job of inclusion and every university around the world should have a program like this---something that changes the life of the person with special needs. 

Dr. Kristine Neuber told us about the various kinds of assistive technology available to help make life easier for anyone with disabilities. She showed us so many amazing gadgets available to assist various needs of people. 

I got to know how "Differentiated Instruction" can help not only the students with special needs but all the students in class. This class has been truly amazing and has helped me learn to be an inclusive and effective teacher for the whole class.

  

True Colours and More!

Dr. Supriya Baily's classes are vibrant and fun---she's such a passionate communicator! The first activity of the day---True Colours---helps me to understand myself better and realise that knowing oneself is perhaps the first step to understanding people. 

True Colours-A fun way to know yourself!

This is followed by activities which help us understand our and others personalities better---how each one of us is unique and how each one has something special to offer. 

Our Team-Our Creation!

The discussion on Parker Palmer's book--"The Courage to Teach"--brings in so many perspectives and views. It brings forth the understanding that perhaps each one of us needs to reflect more on our teaching to make us better teachers. 

The little journals we are given by Supriya start their journey too. Each one of us is putting their reflections into words. The room is so quiet--silence speaks volumes! By the end of our program I hear so many of my colleagues say that they have put down their thoughts in this manner after such a long time and during the process they have discovered the writer in them. Thank you to all the teachers here at GMU who helped us discover ourselves anew!

Leading Change!

Dr. Beverly Woody's classes---seminars on Pedagogy, Practice and Leadership---have been very interesting and informative for me. The techniques she uses with us have helped me to understand why they can be so effective in every classroom. Her vast experience in schools and as a Principal add great value to all the school related issues we discuss in class. The anecdotes she shares with us about her staff meetings or her experiences with various teachers help us to understand the various situations that may come up in our teaching careers. Her suggestions and problem solving techniques are impressive and I have learnt a lot from them.

Going through Michael Fullan's book---"Leading in a Culture of Change"---we discuss effective leadership and what it entails. Every chapter of the book brings me closer to a certain idea that helps make a good leader. Moral Purpose, drives us to be the person we are, and the relationships we build each day help us to bring change in our lives. 

Watching the TED Talk video by Rita Pierson I learnt again how important human connections are and how building these life long relationships leads us towards being an effective teacher. 

As I answered the questions in the self-assessment tool I came to know myself better. It became clearer to me where I am lacking and what are the areas that I need to work upon and bring change in.   

Putting together all that we have learned!

This is going to be a wonderful journey of self-discovery!

It's SNOWING! 
January 30, 2017

It's beautifully white all around--it snowed last night!!

It's first day of class for us. Twenty one of us troop to the bus stand playing with snow on the way. For some it is the first "snow sighting" of their lives---and they are excited!!

We reach early--the campus is covered in snow---it's so cold--BRRRR!!

Snow on Campus!

It's COLD!!

Hunting around for the classroom, I realise the first taste of being a student after a long time. This was a new experience all together. To find the classes we were to attend, to find the way to the different buildings, to find LUNCH, and to find the right buses to board---this is going to be an adventure and the more I can explore, the better!

Creating Our Own Podcasts!

The next big technology task was learning to make a Podcast. Dr. Dawn Hathaway, introduced us to it in the most fun way possible....that perhaps set the tone for the activity. In any class, how well the teacher introduces a topic determines how well it is accepted by the students--we were hooked by the fantastic podcast Dr. Hathaway played for us.

It was now our turn to create our own podcasts in pairs. Chifuniro, my friend from Malawi, and I were to make a podcast on the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial. First, we researched the topic and got to know a lot of details regarding this popular President of USA. We noted the details and proceeded to make the script. This turned out to be more difficult than we had anticipated. We thought of the characters who'd be part of the podcast and how they would interact with each other. Then we thought of their expressions and of all the associated sounds to put in the podcast. After finalising the script we realised that it was extending more than 2 minutes....we needed to shorten it...snip, snip!!

Now the recording part....that should be easy. NO, it isn't. 

Using the program, Audacity, we record our scripts. After several attempts we finally got the hang of it. Our recording sounded quite good. Now to get it all lined up in the proper sequence to have the final podcast. We got the intro, the outro and our recording in the proper line up. 

All work and some play....makes us a GREAT team!

In order to get a portable file which can be shared between computers and on the internet, the files need to be in a .MP3 or .WAV format....this compresses the files and allows them to become portable. YES! We did it....got everything in place and sent the final podcast to Dr. Hathaway. We felt like geniuses!

It was fun to watch all my colleagues when the podcasts were played in class. Not only did each voice sound amazing in the recordings but they were really dramatic too. The expressions of pure joy on hearing ones own voice was really worth a watch. How much will our students enjoy recording their voices, if we enjoyed doing it so much. This is a valuable and creative lesson to enhance reading, writing, speaking and listening skills of students....I will surely incorporate it.

Getting To Know George Mason and D.C.!

January 26, 2017

The workshops on “Leadership” and “Gender Equity” were impactful and helped me to gain new perspectives and better insight. 

Workshops and Perspectives!

Getting to know the University which would be hosting me was exciting….George Mason would be “home” for the next 6 weeks. I met the 21 teachers from 19 countries who would be my colleagues at GMU….this was a GREAT group….I feel we’re going to have loads of fun together!

Proud to be a part of George Mason University!

Late afternoon on 26^th January, we were off to a tour of Washington D.C.—Yaaay! It was cold and windy….we were braving the chilly winds in our TEA caps….together!

Touring Washington D.C!

The Lincoln Memorial with it’s huge wall engraving of Lincoln’s speech was impressive…..memorable! The Luther King Memorial was our next stop…..reading all the quotes engraved on the long, well-designed wall was impactful….made me contemplate the immense contribution of these great men in shaping the US of today and the influence their thoughts and ideas had on the whole world. I feel, as teachers, it’s our job to continue their work of freeing minds from narrow constraints and help in creating global citizens who understand the value of hard-earned freedom.

Off To A Great Start!

January 25, 2017

We started off with a series of well planned, co-ordinated and informative seminars and workshops from the 25^th of January, 2017. The first one, by Deborah Hefferon, was my personal favorite….she conducted the session with such elan! There were 82 teachers from 39 countries in one room….WOW! that’s diversity! Soon we were no more strangers, but colleagues, with the same concerns and similar teaching goals.

With Deborah Hefferon....a great motivator!

Post-lunch groups of teachers competed with each other in a game of Jeopardy which helped us gain in-depth knowledge regarding the American education system. It was a surprise for most teachers to know that there may be certain flaws in the education system of the US, which most believed to be perfect. That was a revelation! Looking back, I feel that session connected all the TEA fellows in a more material kind of way…..the TEA caps given out as prizes somehow united us throughout the program….everyone wore it to ward off the cold winds (how thoughtful of IREX to give such a handy gift) and everywhere we went the caps represented us as a group….Great idea!! 

Teachers in TEA caps!

The International Poster Fair was the highlight of the evening. Teachers in their traditional finery    displayed the educational setting and the best aspects of their country through their posters. Visiting each stall and getting to know about every country was fun!

The India Stall!

Finally it’s Washington D.C.!

January 24, 2017

The welcome at Dulles airport was warm after the long 35 hour journey from Kolkata—it seemed IREX had thought of everything and made the journey to the Washington Plaza Hotel special.

Earlier, I had met the contingent from Bangladesh in Frankfurt airport and we exchanged pleasantries. Communicating in the same language, Bangla, helped in getting to know the four TEA fellows quite well in the flight to Washington. Surprise, surprise!—the ladies sitting next to me during the flight turned out to be TEA fellows from Tunisia and Estonia! Wow! We had the same destination.

On reaching Dulles airport I started meeting TEA fellows from various countries…..all excited to be at the same place at the same time. I started making new acquaintances on the way to the hotel….EXCITING!

Dulles Airport....off to the hotel!

Everything was taken care of so well by the friendly IREX staff during the registration process at the hotel….I felt I was in good hands. Hats off to their attention to detail and their professionalism!

After the sumptuous dinner (yes, I was ravenously hungry!!!) where I got to meet more fellows from other countries, I went up to my room….It was great to meet Mercy, from Nigeria, who’d be my roommate for the next three days.  

How The Journey Began!
January 23, 2017

I was excited and very very happy!

The opportunity to represent my country at the prestigious TEA program had come my way and I intended to make the most of it. Through a series of arduous tests, interviews and orientations four teachers from India had been finally selected for the fall 2017 program. I am one of them!

I began my TEA journey from Kolkata today, January 23, 2017. Seeing the fantastic Mumbai airport was surely one of the highlights of this journey. Beautiful and well maintained are two words that come to mind when one arrives at this busy airport—so proud of it.

Traveling is fun when one has good company! At Mumbai I met two of my co-participants—now I had GREAT company. We were all excited about this new stint in our lives and were happily exchanging notes on how each one of us had prepared for this program.

Asha and Ashok....my Indian colleagues!

Waiting at the Mumbai airport lounge for the flight to Frankfurt I watched passengers hurrying off or silently waiting for their flight to their destination. Airports are such amazing places—everybody is either coming or going somewhere…..everything is in transit.

Frankfurt Airport....Washington, here I come! 

Time for our flight to Washington D.C…...

Getting a Grasp of New Technology!

The technology classes have opened a new world of opportunity for me. They are so much fun too!

In the first session getting our own GMU email ids was a great way to start I believe. The idea of teachers being designers and designing their lessons to enable students to learn through new technology was something that I liked very much. Therefore, as designers, teachers have the responsibility to bring their students closer to technology that would benefit them in the long run. This was a great opportunity for the teachers to introduce and implement new ideas in class and make them engaging for the learners with the help of appropriate technology.

Next, we created our own Blogs....and here you are reading it!!

My Blog!

Planning lessons to achieve better student retention and understanding is possible when one applies the ACTS principle:

        Developing an Authentic Problem which would lead to a Clear Outcome through the application of proper Thinking Skills and appropriate Software Skills.

Priscilla Norton, our Technology Professor, shared the concept of DEAPR (Design Encode Assemble Publish Revise) to create technology friendly lessons for our students.

Learning to create Infographics using the DEAPR concept was an interesting experience. This will be something very useful to teach both English and Technology to my students....and they'll love it!

I was amazed when I entered class next day.....there was our own TEA Hall of Fame with all our creation on display!! 

                             

The TEA Hall of Fame!

My First Day on Campus!
January 27, 2017

It has been a wonderful journey so far!

Our motley group of twenty one TEA fellows arrived at the Comfort Inn Hotel early on January 27, 2017 from Washington D.C. Dr. Farnoosh Shahrookhi and Dr. Supriya Baily welcomed us with open arms. I knew we were in good hands and the feeling of assurance was warm enough to help me brave the chilly weather.

Soon we were off to the University Campus taking our first bus ride. Everything was a new experience--How to get to the bus stop? Which bus to take to campus? Bus timings?

There was so much to learn and remember.

The George Mason University Campus was a sight to behold--huge and perfect!

We got our Mason ids and and then we were off to our class in Thompson Hall. Many instructions--lots of information--loads of warm clothes--quick paperwork--new faces, new acquaintances--EXPERIENCES GALORE!!!

Getting to know our favorite classroom--TH013!

Hunger pangs were setting in--maybe Farnoosh and Supriya sensed it--they took us to the multi-cuisine canteen on campus--"Southside"--my explorations helped me gain a good insight of the place and also a GREAT MEAL--Yaay! I can do this! This is fun!

Now it was time to go back to the hotel--Get to know the bus route--timings.