Teacher Trainer

Teacher empowerment workshop based on ABL Method

A DAY IN THE WILD

“Amme, I could not sleep properly… I had a terrible sleep… please let me sleep some more time…”
Today morning, when I went to wake-up my son to get him ready for school, he begged for a few more hours of sleep. Last night he had a disturbed sleep and he sounded very tired. We adults have the leverage of taking a day off in such situations; whereas for kids it is not so easy to get a leave with the excuse of a disturbed sleep. He sounded very genuine to me. My husband (Aneesh) said that it is perfectly okay to take a day off in case he was really tired.
I had already taken a compensatory off today for one of my working holidays. Aneesh also did not have anything urgent or important in his schedule for the day. So, the morning extended up to 10 am today. All the four (including our dog Tito) slept for long hours. This happens rarely on a week day.

By the time we had breakfast it was 11.15 am. It was during the breakfast, this idea of utilizing the day to the maximum crept into our mind. The best option is a short trip. We did not have a plan or a clear location. Just typed ‘Pooyamkutty’ in google map and we sat in the car exactly at 11.30 am. A two hours drive took us to Thattekkadu. We had been to Thattekkadu bird sanctuary earlier and so thought not to go there. Instead, we stopped near the Thattekkadu river, under the bridge and walked to vast green banks of the river. Thattekkadu river was muddy, deep and furious. She reminded us of the raging flood we witnessed a couple of months ago. The river and the bridge still wore signs of the flood- logs and branches of trees still stuck to the concrete beam tops on which the road is made. The river bank extended as a small valley with thick lush green forest on both sides. Far away, below the rainy clouds, the huge mountain tops of Western Ghats stood with magnanimity. Countless birds were chirping and singing in the forest. The orchestra was supported by the rhythmic flow of river and occasional high pitch notations of cicadas. It was then, an unexpected encounter occurred with Budhamayoori, (banded peacock butterfly) which is the state butterfly of Kerala. She was a feast for our eyes- a mix of vibrant green, blue and grey with orange and black dots and marks in between... what a beautiful creation of nature! We had no clue how much time we spet there.

Finally we decided to move on. We took the Kuttambuzha route. It is absolute fun to travel without any particular destination in mind. Spontaneous decisions kept the suspense alive. Kuttampuzha route is rich with scenery. Nature offeres a feast for eyes. Kuttambuzha river was clearer and bluer. The cold water, when touched the feet, it washed away all thoughts about everything else. We were just trapped there in that moment. It was a mesmerizing experience. There was a ‘kadavu’ or bathing steps that leads to the river. Near the Kadavu, on the banks of the river there was a huge tree with some winged visitors- hornbills, mynahs, cuckoos and some unknown birds. Cormorants were diving in the fast-flowing river waters. There was absolute peace and solace everywhere.

After spending some time (we really didn’t bother how much time!), we pushed off towards Pooyamkutti. On the way there was another river and a narrow bridge across it. The sign board read Vellaramkuthu and Manikandanchal. Google map showed a tribal settlement on the border of the forest. There was nothing more to think. We just took the diversion and crossed the river in to the wilderness. A few of kilometers through the forest road, we reached Vellaramkuthu. It was a tiny village with very few houses ad shops. On the junction, there were some shops and some people. When we went further towards the forest, the road became quite deserted. Finally, we reached at the end of the road. There was a small hut with a couple of people and their pet dogs- the rest was just forest, all around.

There was a beautiful, small waterfall on the road side. The wild streams rushing down from here and there together formed this waterfall. Crystal clear cool water left no opportunity for a denial. We couldn’t resist the temptation to take a dip in that splashing stream. We must have spent an hour or more in that stream. It was getting dark and we had to go back home. With a half mind, we went back to our car, drove through the drizzles… back to our home…

A day with an excellent team of teachers of St Rogationist School, Angamali... Session on learner centric classroom and learner autonomy in learning

It's May... Under the scorching summer canopy, we gathered together in various schools... Practicing teachers, with a lot of enthusiasiam, energy and aspirations...the hot, piercing rays of sun couldn't diminish their spirits. We came together with one mission.... Continuous professional development of practicing teachers...
Topics varied from ELT to effective teaching methodology / pedagogy /practices... Child psychology to learning techniques... Tech supported classroom to effective teaching models in rural areas....
Extremely happy to be with educators who have the zest for a change...
Looking forward to many more sessions in the coming weeks

It is unfortunate to see that many of the parenting sessions in this part of the world focus on the need to instill value slavery such as fear of god, respect to elders, safe dress codes, conventional gender roles...etc.etc.etc.
Can't we get out of these junk topics?
Can't we discuss how to spend quality time with kids, what kind of conversations would arouse curiosity and inquisitiveness in kids, how to motivate them to part-take in daily chores, why should we respect and accept the individuality and uniqueness of each child, how to motivate them to come confront and challenge, how to induce confidence and courage in them....

https://www.keralatourism.org/clint/registration

Online Registration for International Children's Painting Competition in memory of Clint Online registration page for the participants in the painting contest, Clint Memorial International Children’s Painting Competition by Kerala Tourism.

Positive parenting... A session with more than 100 parents in a rural village... So happy to spent time with a bunch of energetic parents... A new chapter in my training career

I was in a teacher empowerment workshop at Thrissur. Functioning in English was the theme. While interacting with the teachers, this poster caught my attention... Kavithayude Mrithyunjayam... The title and the strokes says it all. It's by a 9th grader, named Vinvish of Saraswathi Vidyanikethan, Engandiyoor. Vailoppilli's Maampazham in 5 pictures... The last one is the most brilliant of all... Those cold, frozen feet...
Each day is a new experience... A new opportunity to learn and unlearn...
Happy that I was there in that class to know about this boy and learn from his teachers

An ever memorable day!

Training the master trainers- teachers of Engineering Colleges and Poly Technic Colleges of Tamil Nadu. An awesome learning experience. Most of them were senior teachers. I was apprehensive about how they would accommodate a junior like me. But they were wonderful participants- vibrant, energetic, active and naughty too. A great day!

Every training session, every workshop is a learning experience- they give me opportunities to know what i have to do to make my sessions more effective and intense. They provide opportunities to encounter unique issues and compel to think out of the box to find solutions for those issues.

Teacher Trainer works @ Macmillan

Al Ameen group... A wonderful team of teachers... Energetic and passionate educators... Happy to share time with them