The Staff Room: National Teacher Awardees on AI, Work-Life Balance, and the Future of Education

What Does It Mean to Be A Great Teacher?

These award-winning teachers reveal that their paths to education were far from conventional. None of them initially set out to become teachers, but life had other plans.

Unexpected Paths to Teaching

Hukam Chand Chaudhary's journey began with what he describes as a B.Ed boom. Job security was a major draw, leading him to a rural posting with limited resources - no electricity and unreliable network connectivity. Ritika Anand, a physics graduate from Hansraj College Delhi University, accompanied a friend to a B.Ed exam and ended up embarking on a teaching career. Early on, she grappled with societal expectations and the pressure to prove herself, feeling she didn't know enough. K Sharda's inspiration stemmed from a teacher who helped her obtain a disability certificate, opening doors to opportunities she hadn't imagined. This experience ignited her dream of becoming a math teacher. Tiwari Sir and Salim Sir also motivated her with their teaching skills.

The Pivotal Moment: From Job to Calling

When did teaching become more than just a job for these educators? For Hukam Chand, the shift occurred when he started learning ICT (Information and Communication Technology) online. Seeing the positive impact on his students, coupled with winning national and state prizes, fueled his passion. Ritika Anand's turning point came after three or four years. She learned to embrace what she didn't know and began collaborating with her students, recognizing that learning is a two-way street. K Sharda felt the calling from the beginning. She always knew she was meant to be a teacher.

Vision for the Future of Teaching

These teachers aren't content with the status quo. They have ambitious visions for the future of education. Hukam Chand dreams of visiting the US to study foreign education systems. He hopes to bring back useful strategies to implement in India. Ritika Anand is passionate about incorporating theater into education. She believes it unlocks creativity and helps students connect with subjects on a deeper level. K Sharda wants to further develop online educational resources, particularly for students with and without disabilities.

A Deep Dive into the National Teacher Award

The National Teacher Award is more than just a pat on the back. It's a recognition of excellence and a platform for driving change. What does it take to win this prestigious award?

The Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The journey begins with a self-nomination. Teachers create an account on the online portal and provide detailed information about their qualifications, experience, and contributions. Both private and government school teachers are eligible to apply. The selection process unfolds at the district, state, and national levels. In Rajasthan, the top three nominees from each district are sent to the state for consideration. District Education Officers (DEOs) play a key role in the initial selection. At the state level, a committee conducts interviews and evaluates candidates. The committee often includes education secretaries and directors. The national level involves further interviews with a panel of experts. Those selected are later approved by the Ministry of Education.

What Makes an Application Stand Out?

Providing solid evidence is key. Don't just state your accomplishments – prove them. The application includes a 100-point profile with categories like work for the school, department, society, and nation.

What kind of evidence should you include? Consider these:

• Videos of ICT projects or classroom activities
• Photos of student projects and games
• Published research papers or articles
• Books written or co-authored
• Newspaper articles featuring your work

K Sharda's creation of 200 videos and educational blogs demonstrates the kind of dedication that catches the eye.

Social Truths

As teachers, how should we guide children when social truths conflict with our values? How do we tell the child if speaking the truth impolite? If there is social discrimination, then there should be no social discrimination in the school.

The Impact of Professional Relationships

Build strong professional relationships with other educators, administrators, and community members. Cross-learning and collaboration can have a huge impact.

Addressing AI

Will AI replace teachers? The group feels AI is coming to schools, but what should schools do to help prevent teachers from being replaced?

Career Growth

A teaching career can be long, so how does a teacher experience career growth? Teaching isn't always a vertical growth profession. Instead teachers choose their own path and make their own journey to create a place for themselves.

A Final Note

What's the key message to young, new teachers? Don't view teaching as just a six-hour duty. Recognize the power you have to shape the future. Take pride in being a teacher and strive to make a positive impact. The future is in your hands!