I began my new year with a trek to Bhutan. I needed some time off in the mountains thinking, seeking and learning to be able to put my thoughts on the classroom in perspective. And I got that in loads. One on one interaction with the children and all the local people there. Being in the villages and the cities there also made me think about how much happier and peaceful my community back home around the school can be.
However, being back in Delhi brings with it its own pressures. And I sometimes feel my ideas for change are Utopian, need a longer term for gestation and time on my fellowship is ticking and running out faster than I can deal with.
I have been back in school a week - its been cold and intense. Today we (teaching staff) got called to an inauguration of the new school building which was a proverbial show put on for the local powers that be. I have no stand / issue that I want to comment on / bring up. Its just that the juxtaposition with the system, my co-fellow's exhortation to think practically and the reminders of the distance my community needs to traverse makes me wonder what I can do in my second year which approaches fast.
But there is a silver lining to my thoughts. At the school inauguration twenty girls from class five at a MCD school twenty minutes away came to do a dance show. Decked out in saris and makeup these girls are gorgeous. I walked over to them, spoke to them a little and then walked them into my class. We spoke about the Explorers and they liked me enough to offer putting up a small aerobics performance. Their coordination (I have two left feet), enthusiasm, love - blew me away. And reminded me that deep down, all of us, love being excellent at something. That being true for me, other adults and my kids more than all. At the end of my year I should leave them excellent at something. And that something is probably education / high academic achievement.
Going back to the community - we have a BTCP (be the change project) in the community in year two. I am thinking of opening votes upto five ideas for the children to decide on, ask my principal for a veto / vote and then get to it with the community. Greening the school / a playground / computers are the top 3 ideas I have now. Do you have an opinion or an idea?
The project will take thinking, money and a lot of doing. But the dream is to create this tiny primary school into a happy, welcoming place where wants to go. Where parents feel their kids learn something great, something they help build and are proud of. It might mean many many days spent in the community and lots of disappointment but as always I will turn to you for hope and encouragement :)
And did I tell you? The day I sleep well, I get up early and start my car to make the 25 min drive to school. Usually I'll play loud dance / rock music that thunders in the car. For me its like I am going to war each day to make sure I impart something to my students. Something that is useful and helpful. People ask me why I did not follow my Dad's footsteps in the Army. I think I did. This Army I am a part of will change India.
Baby, we're in the Army, now.
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