Teacher Spotlight - Mrs. Jennifer Mathias –

Meet Mrs Jennifer a 7+ years experienced teacher from Mumbai's Seven Elven Scholastic school.  A strong belief in her teaching cause reflects from words like that - "It is rightly said I’m not a superhero but I am much more powerful than that I am a Teacher"

• Name: Mrs. Jennifer Mathias            
• Contact number: 9768051979
• School / Institute: Seven Eleven Scholastic School   
• Email ID:  Jenny14682@gmail.com
• Designation: Teacher             

Tell us about yourself – Your overall experience in education field, National / International experiences, variety of work you have done in the education field.

I am a person who is passionate about teaching. Someone who tries to make teaching very interesting for children. I have an experience of about 7 yrs in the field of Education. I love to explore new things to ensure I make the class interesting for my kids. It is rightly said I’m not a superhero but I am much more powerful than that I am a Teacher. I teach English and Social Studies 

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.

Since childhood I loved teaching. Enjoyed playing a teachers role and had my soft toys acting like students. Loved correcting books however I did graduation with a Commerce degree and got into the corporate world worked as a Deputy Manager for almost 8 years. But the passion was my blood whenever I explained anything to my Engineers they always complemented me saying ‘’Aap bahut aache teacher ho”. After I got married and had a baby I felt to urge to go back to my passion and that’s how I did my B.Ed. and got back to teaching. Yes my inspiration was one of my school teacher Mrs. Christine who helped me fall in love with Grammar.

What would you like to mention for your greatest achievements in field of education? Which gives you a sense of satisfaction?

The greatest achievement is when my kids tell them they love History very much. History is something that as I kids I found very boring but as a teacher when I make it interesting for my kids using different techniques, is what gives me a sense of satisfaction. Especially during this lock down period I could take my kids on a virtual tour to a Museum in Scotland and when they said mam we are eagerly waiting for the next History class it made me feel very good.

How has the education system changed as per your view since you were a student yourself?

When I was in school it was a more teacher centric approach that was used. Now the education system has changed a lot. During my school days teaching was done using a black board and chalk. Teachers came to class and explained what was in the textbook. But now the education system has shown a drastic change we need to use latest technology to teach kids. We have smart boards; we need to show videos to students so that they enjoy learning. Now the education system is such we teachers are also learning along with the students.

What are the qualities you think an individual should possess to be a good teacher or work in field of education?

A good teacher is like a candle it consumes itself to light the way for others. This quote is so appropriate to the life of a teacher. A good teacher is also someone who will help the student to find their hidden talents. A teacher has to play a role of a best friend who ignites the imagination, and instils a love for learning.

How do you handle discipline problems in today’s world? What is the most difficult aspect of discipline for you?

The traditional way of disciplining during olden days was punishing the students now corporal punishments not allowed and even I don’t believe in punishing the child. Many times the root cause of indiscipline will be sorted out just by letting your student speak their heart out and that is possible only when you get to know you student better. In the fast moving era we have parents busy with their work and unintentionally when they are trying to making things better for their children they tend to compromise on the time they spend with their children. I believe when I talk to the students they feel they have someone to speak to and most of the indiscipline issues are sorted out

If you were to change 1-2 things in our Indian education system, what would be those & why? 

I think schools should be more practical oriented. Let them choose the subjects of their choice which will generate more interest in learning. Also I think schools should also introduce a subject when students learn how to grow crops that is the time when they will learn to value food and farmers.

What is your philosophy of teaching?

I believe as a teacher I should facilitate the development of every child without being biased and making every child feel good and confident about himself/herself through his/her experience in the classroom.

What are your suggestions or opinions for today’s parents in shaping up children’s personality? Especially in this Online or computer age.

I feel Home is the first school and the parents are the child’s first teachers. In words of Samuel Smiles “Home is the first and most important school of character. It is there that every human being receives his best moral training or his worst; for it is there that he imbibes those principles of conduct which endures through manhood and cease only with life. So just a message to parents your child learns a lot from you”. During this online or computer age especially during this lock down I feel some parents look down on teachers which is not right we have parents complaining that they have household chores and not only to sit with their kids during online class. I would say only one thing to such parents even we teachers are human beings ,we are Parents as well and also have household chores but we never complain whenever I being my online class I ensure I leave my household chores behind , leave my child aside to pay heed to your kids so please respect us teachers as well. 

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?

My strength is my creativity, the passion to make my class interesting and to accept my mistakes. My weakness is I cannot stand people taking advantage of me and just lose my patience when I see some injustice happening around

If you had not been a teacher or not associated with education field, what would you have been and why?

If not a teacher  I would like to be an artist because I just love to draw what I feel and when I make use of colours it just relaxes me a lot

What do you want to accomplish in your profession in next 5 years?

In next 5 years I want to explore the field of counselling and have my own counselling institute. It pains a lot when small students who feel there is no one to listen to them try to do things to hurt themselves.

Any other things you would like to share about yourself, your profession, your hobbies, your views?

When speaking about my profession I guess we teachers can speak non-stop. Just that this lock down period is a difficult period for all but in this profession this online teaching has taught me a lot. I have explored so many new tools for online teaching which my kids have thoroughly enjoyed. Attended so many webinars and have moulded myself to be a better teacher.

How would you rate our website yayskool.com especially this teacher spotlight program? 1 being the worst, 5 being the best.

I would give it a full 5 on 5 this is a very good platform to express what we feel. I am really grateful to Yayskool for giving me an opportunity to express my feeling

Teacher 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.