Year: 2022

Nupur Hukmani
A teacher shares her experience as a ‘struggling’ new teacher, how she found a friend, a mentor and a guide and the outcome of this ‘critical’ friendship at the workplace. Here are some interesting observations.

Jayapadma R. V.
Economics as a subject draws extensively from resources that are available in geography, history, sociology, psychology, political science, mathematics and more. Teaching economics so that children can learn to appreciate the interconnections between all these subjects requires a teacher to rely on her colleagues. This is where collaboration and trust and friendships come into play for the larger good of the students. This narrative gives a glimpse into the magic that can happen when the curriculum moves out of the classroom.

Nabanita Deshmukh
It is a known fact that effective communication between teachers can bring about positive changes in the classroom. Teachers, supported by colleagues, manage students better and help them interact positively with their peers. The right kind of bonding between teachers develops self- confidence and changes attitudes towards teaching and learning. So how can teachers build harmonious relationships that can make them confident, happy and competent? Here are a few insights.

Gargi Nangalia
How far can a teacher get friendly with her students? Are there certain boundaries that need to be respected on both sides? If a teacher gives special attention and benefits to a particular student, then that would be overstepping professional boundaries. Here are some tools that teachers can use to build student friendships.

Aruna Sankaranarayanan
A teaching career may have its gratifying moments, but it can also be very demanding and demotivating. What can teachers do to motivate themselves when the going gets tough? One source is the power of colleagues to sustain and support both professionally and personally. Another source is this book by David Bradford and Carole Robin that can give fresh insights into seeking exceptional relationships.

Siddhi Gupta
When you are not a full- fledged educator but would like to contribute to art and design education, what would you do? Part student, part teacher, the author narrates her experiences as an outsider and how she was generously allowed to participate in the education ecosystem. As she says, a friendship with a teacher only gives.

Nidhi Qazi
Does the interaction of teachers among themselves influence teacher retention or student performance? A peep into the lives of many teachers across government schools reveals that personal bonding went a long way in aiding professional growth.

Fiona Vaz
Can inter-generational or inter- departmental friendships exist in a school setting? While it can largely help in planning events and settling student issues, or even in guiding younger teachers, there are boundaries within which these relationships can function.

Latha Vydianathan
Can teacher friendship be incorporated into professional practice for the benefit of students? When quality, healthy friendships are modelled, students are more likely to develop such friendships themselves. Here are three categories under which qualities required for such friendships can be identified.