Teacher Spotlight - Ms. Arshi Syed -
Meet Ms. Arshi Syed in August 2020 Teacher Spotlight series, a multitalented and exceptional teacher with master degree in English Literature. A strong believer who thinks being a teacher is not less than being a super hero.
Name: Arshi Syed
School: Seven Eleven Scholastic School, Mumbai
Email Id: Arshi.azif@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.
Hi, I am Arshi Syed. I am a very ambitious person extremely extrovert and I love being a good influence on people; I really love to explore new things and keep things “Happening”. I feel being a teacher is something which keeps me on my toe and I love that! Being a teacher is not less than being a super hero and I love my profession. I have been teaching for a year and 4 months now, I do know it’s not a long time but I am sure that I have learnt many different things in this time. The subjects I teach is English and Social studies. I was working with an NGO before I became an official teacher but it was more related to sociology and psychology. Even though I am a master in English Literature, I have taught different subjects and as a teacher we have to be versatile and versatility is one of my super power.
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.
Almost everyone in my family is a teacher, although I never thought of becoming a teacher when I was young or to be honest not till I completed my graduation, but as we know life is unpredictable. I did my graduation in mass media specializing in advertising and I thought that I would be going ahead in that field even though I was still exploring and making up my mind as to what I have to do in life but I didn’t really had a plan. During that year I explored a lot I worked as a content writer, as an assistant business developer, worked with an NGO but I still wasn’t sure and satisfied with what I was doing and trust me it was a frustrating period. But then I had to calm. I cleared by mind and thought about everything I have done in life and what I exactly wanted. All I wanted to do in life was something which would make me happy, satisfied and a better person and which would help me make a difference in the society. And that’s when I had my “NIRVANA” point in life, that what is better than being a teacher. It is a rollercoaster ride, you can never be bored you have a new story each day, you can influence so many lives, and that is how I ended up being a teacher trying to do well and bring a little change in me and for someone else.
What would you like to mention for your greatest achievements in field of education? Which gives you a sense of satisfaction?
As a teacher my greatest achievement will be when I see “My kids” that is how I like to refer all my students, reach whatever they ought to achieve in life. What they want to be in future, whatever makes them happy and successful. I know I haven’t reached that achievement yet but I am on my way and I am sure I will achieve that one day. But till then my small achievements are when my kids win certain prizes, when they say that “when I grow up I want to be like you” that is also what I consider as an achievement and what gives me satisfaction. Every morning when I get up it makes me happy that I will be seeing my second family and that is what satisfaction is for me.
How has the education system changed as per your view since you were a student yourself?
When I was in school the education was more teacher centered than learner centered, when I see now I feel the education system has drastically changed. We were not techno savvy that time, we had only one AV room where we use to just visit once a week but today the classrooms are digital. Kids have a lot of exposure to the world than we had. Plus I feel the teachers of gen Z are more understanding than the teachers we had back then. The changes are constantly happening in the education system with the new policy which just came in 2020 I feel it will be doing great to the education system and I hope that they are implied properly.
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 really what a teacher does but then on the other hand we are all humans and we have our individual differences and that is what makes all of us unique. A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning. A teacher should have love for learner and for the learning and the quality to bring those two together and blend it. Other than that a teacher should be well aware about the students qualities and try to bring that out, should have an excellent communication skill because that is what the students are going to adapt. A teacher should have the quality to understand a child on his/her level so that the child would not hesitate to open up.
How do you handle discipline problems in today’s world? What is the most difficult aspect of discipline for you?
When we talk about discipline the first word which instantly pops up in peoples mind is “punishment". But I don’t really think it works that way. The best thing you can do to deal with discipline problem is to find out what is the cause of their indiscipline behaviour, to engage the students in different activities, by making the learning process interesting, by including some moral values related to different topics which will bring that sense of discipline in them.
If you were to change 1-2 things in our Indian education system, what would be those & why?
When we talk about Indian education system it surely is evolving, but if you ask me there are extremely good schools with amazing infrastructures in the urban areas, but when we talk about rural areas proper schools, proper infrastructure, proper faculty all of it is lacking. Even though there various policies of free education, people in rural area still don’t tend to send their kids to school. There is still lack of awareness and that is what I would like to change, spread more awareness and a proper educational environment for the underprivileged.
What is your philosophy of teaching?
According to me a classroom is a place where a child spends half of their time and therefore, it should have atmosphere where the child feels safe, free, happy and try to find the best version of themselves, everyone is unique and have their own various qualities, Me as a teacher plays an important role in bringing out the best versions of themselves by giving them that healthy atmosphere so that they bloom, in cooperate with different learning styles so that achieve their highest potential. Moreover, inculcate the value of self-love and self-acceptance which I feel is utmost important.
What are your suggestions or opinions for today’s parents in shaping up children’s personality? Especially in this Online or computer age.
As “Home is our first school”. When a child is born s/he is a blank slate and the things they starts learning and adapting are from their primary surrounding which is the family, hence parents play a very important part from the start. Whatever the child sees is what it learns. Hence, my suggestion to the parents is if you want your child to grow up with certain qualities than it should always start from yourself and they will follow. Parents should be more like a friend to the child, so that when a child is in a difficult position s/he should feel free to go and talk about it, the child’s first thought should be “I need to tell my mom or dad”, not “who would I go to” or feel lost in that situation. Parents should talk to their children about ever-possible topic, which they feel the child needs to know or need guidance. s As a parent it is very important to also keep a track on child when the whole world is just a click away but also should not make them feel that you’re invading their privacy or don’t trust them. It is difficult at times but it is important.
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?
The most important strengths I possess are- creativity, time management and improvisation, which I feel is important when you are in a classroom where there are different learners.
About my weakness sometimes, I do tend to freak out when things do not really go according to how I planned but then eventually I get myself back on the track.
If you had not been a teacher or not associated with education field, what would you have been and why?
Without a doubt, I would have been an actor and I am pretty good at expressing myself with the gestures and expression, which trust me plays an important role in the classroom, plus being a teacher is not less than being an actor because you are always performing and you have your little audience right in front of you.
What do you want to accomplish in your profession in next 5 years.
In 5 years I definitely want to grow professionally be in a higher position than I am now. Surely, want to start up my own institute. Spread education as much as I can. Defiantly want to contribute for the wellbeing of the society. Become so capable that I could do as much as possible for the people who are in need
Any other things you would like to share about yourself, your profession, your hobbies, your views?
I can go on and on about my profession because I love it. I am proud of myself as to how I have moulded myself and be where I am today. We all have difficult times in our life and I had mine too but in this journey, my biggest support has been my family. Family really does play a very important part in an individual’s life. I want to be that support for my students too because sometimes we really don’t know what is going on at their end, so being there as someone who they could come up too and share is important, to create that rapport is important. You have to be their counsellor, friend, guide everything at times because we never know how we could help a child and make a difference in their lives. That is why in the start I said that we teachers are superheroes we save lives we bring the change we play so many different role that is what makes us unique. “WE ARE THE TEACHERS”.
How would you rate our website yayskool.com especially this teacher spotlight program? 1 being the worst, 5 being the best.
I would rate it 5 out 5 because firstly Yayskool is doing an amazing job. This spotlight program gave me a chance to express myself and appreciate my profession on another level and I am thankful to Yayskool for giving me this opportunity.
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.
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