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!