My Class 7 English teacher, Mr. Britto, taught William Wordsworth's The Solitary Reaper over four periods. He would take us to a different world. The value built into his classes, which I only understood later in life, was empathy. The way he taught still lingers in my thoughts. See how hard it is for a teacher to get into a child's mind?
Our dean, RJ Master, has the virtue of கனிவுடன் கூடிய கண்டிப்பு: strictness joined with kindness. That is why scores of students still revere and remember him. In spite of a schedule of twenty one mathematics periods a week, and his work as principal, he would go round every class during the lunch break to make sure no child had gone without a meal.
How to build them
- Empathise. Be compassionate with your students.
- Be non-judgemental. If we do not judge, our students will share their feelings without fear.
- Let them seek answers. A winning relationship urges students to find answers themselves, much like teaching someone to fish, or to ride a bicycle.
- Listen. A good teacher makes a student feel heard, mirrors back what they say, and helps them notice any contradiction.
Winning relationships are like good habits learnt early in life. A student encouraged with kindness and gentleness absorbs the lessons well. I know it is easy to preach. But if you practise it, you will see that this generation learns best when it is nudged, not driven.
It is not what you say, but the manner in which you say it that matters.
About the author
R.J. Bhuvanesh
Chief Executive Officer of the KRM Group of Schools, Chennai. He taught mathematics and computer science for ten years before leading the group, and studied at Harvard's Project Zero Classroom.
