Meet Mrs. Darshana Pandya in Jan 2020 Teacher Spotlight series, a passionate teacher, educating kids from last 23 years and trying to bring a positive change in society. Recently, our team reached out to Mrs. Pandya and quite amazed with her positivity, active participation and her motto in life.
“Add life to days and not days to life”
Name: Mrs. Darshana Pandya
Email: dspandya91@gmail.com
Designation / Title: Teacher
She answered all our questions quite candidly and with smile on her face. Here is our in details conversation with her:
Tell us about yourself – Your overall experience in education field, National / International experiences, variety of work you have done in the education field.
My name is Darshana Pandya. Teaching has always been my passion. I am associated with education world as a teacher & in other multiple roles from last 23 years. I had started living my passion as a tutor from grade 7 during my school days in the year 1980. Since 1998 onwards I have been contributing in multiple ways in teaching industry. I started as a preschool teacher and got an opportunity to teach abroad ( Dubai - OOIS) too for 5 years as a KG 2 teacher.
My international experience in teaching had polished me well to continue again in India handling primary section like grade 3, 4 & 5.
Parallelly I also focused on studying along with teaching. My seniors encouragement, trust and suggestions to take up a higher post in my profession motivated me to pursue my (MSA) Master's in School Administration through Lucknow University. Later I also completed my B.Ed. through the same University handling my job and family.
My CBSE experience of abroad and multitasking attitude helped me work as a Preschool Coordinator, Art & Craft in-charge, Curriculum planner, CEE project head, British Council team head and many other interschool activities, competition's and events.
Gradually my experience of taking proxy lectures for higher grades helped me handle secondary students as their subject teacher for English Language and Literature. Years of experience and my focus towards my subjects (English and Social Studies) feathered me with the post "Head of the department for English and Social Science" in an ICSE school in Mumbai.
I also got an opportunity to work with a publication house where I got to know about creating books, marketing & designing of books, the business point of view of management, the administration section and many other areas of school beyond teaching.
All these opportunities somewhere motivated me to start with something new each day in my career and I am still eager and passionate to walk a long way as a contributor in education world.
How did you choose the field of education? Was it by choice or some inspiration from someone or a childhood dream? Please help with more details.
My mother has always been my inspiration and motivation right from childhood. Her efforts to get us educated from a convent school 50 years back was not everyone's cup of tea. My parents not being that educated, always gave their best to us better education, facing the ignorance of family and society. This somewhere created a passion in me to set an example as an educator making my parents feel proud of me.
What would you like to mention for your greatest achievements in field of education? Which gives you a sense of satisfaction?
My students' achievements are my achievements. The respect and love that I get from my students and their parent's somewhere makes me feel satisfied and blessed that I am a part of these kids world as a change maker.
How has the education system changed as per your view since you were a student yourself?
In short and simple words I would like to say that earlier it was a noble cause during my school days. We sincerely had a with lot of respect for our teachers and mentors. But sadly, nowadays it's no more seen in today's kids or their parents. Schools are pure business for big people to make money. Exploitation of teachers in terms of work load, money and showmanship is over ruling on teaching methodology and its true results.
What are the qualities you think an individual should possess to be a good teacher or work in field of education?
Firstly being a teacher should be the first choice of the individual so that she/he enjoys giving her/ his best. It should never be an individual's last option to be in this profession to manage day to day expenses and family life.
Nevertheless once opted in this field she/he should be loyal towards her/his work to make a difference in student's life.
How do you handle discipline problems in today’s world? What is the most difficult aspect of discipline for you?
A simple saying I strongly believe even now is, it’s all about "give and take policy" where 'give' comes first and then comes the word 'take'. If I seek respect I have to give respect, no matter it's a pre-schooler or a board student.
The sense of responsibility and respect for others is something which comes from family back ground too but as a teacher it's our duty to mould them the way we want them to be. We don't have to show them the world, we need to teach them how to see the world.
If you were to change 1-2 things in our Indian education system, what would be those & why?
Firstly I would stop the corruption and exploitation happening in education industry. Secondly I do appreciate the modern technology but somewhere it's making us handicap. Along with modern techniques I will also keep the students' connected to the manual independent techniques of gaining knowledge through reading and self-help methodology.
What is your philosophy of teaching?
Teaching is not just about getting degrees, it's about gaining knowledge logically & understanding through practise. It is about being a creator, as said "Teaching is the only profession that creates all other professions."
What is your suggestions or guidance for today’s parents in shaping up children’s personality? Especially in this Online or computer age.
I not only request but urge today's parents' to make their kids aware of what's called hard work. Let them be humans and not robots who work like gadgets if supply provided. Don't force them live your dreams. Encourage them grow with nature and not just with gadgets.
What are the three most important strengths you possess that will make you a successful teacher? Also any weakness in you which you want to improve upon?
Teaching being my passion I have always been innovative in my teaching techniques. This quality of mine has helped me create a great bond with my students' and parents'.
My thirst to learn from my kids also has helped me understand them even better than their parents.
My talkative nature has always kept them engaged with me making my class interactive and lively.
My weakness I feel is my emotional and sincere attitude towards my work, that doesn't allow me bare injustice or unreal situations which highlights me as a blunt and straight forward person. Such a person is nowadays not very likely accepted or appreciated by the society in today's world.
If you had not been a teacher or not associated with education field, what would you have been and why?
I have never desired of anything else ever, but if not a teacher I would have been a motivational speaker to make a difference in people's life.
What do you want to accomplish in your profession in next 5 years?
I would wish to be at a designation or a platform where I get freedom to speak right for the right of teachers and benefit of students. I be a mediator for parents and students where the emotional connections and values are somewhere vanishing day by day in the race of creating a better future. I get to speak through a strong platform where I continue serving the future generation, through modern techniques inculcating the values that we have been brought up with.
Any other things you would like to share about yourself, your profession, your hobbies, your views?
My love towards music, art and nature has helped me in my profession to handle my stress, happiness and emotional situation of every academic year when my kids are all set to be promoted to next academic year.
How would you rate our website yayskool.com especially this teacher spotlight program? 1 being the worst, 5 being the best.
An innovative initiative to allow the teachers share their views, ideas and experiences to cherish their days, educate the readers about education world and also the freedom to share new idea can be a guiding light to the people and society.
So I rate it as a 5.
TEACHERS SPOTLIGHT PROGRAM
The role of a teacher in society is both significant and valuable.It has far-reaching influence on the society he lives in and no other personality can have an influence more profound than that of a teacher. Students are deeply affected by the teacher's love and affection, character, competence, and moral commitment.
Yet teachers don't get their due respect and credit these days. We have started a Teacher Spotlight program where we recognise the effort of these silent and true Heroes of our society and tell their story.
Note: Please send your thoughts/suggestion or concern/complaints to mail@yayskool.com.
