“If improvement results from change, there must be something to initiate that change. And what’s going to initiate it other than staff development?” – Guskey (quoted in Asayesh- p. 24, 1993).
Educational reform requires the teachers to not only update their skills and information but also to totally transform their role as a teacher. Professional development is a key tool that keeps teachers abreast of current issues in education, helps them implement innovations, and refines their practice.
As Atmiya Vidya Mandir is committed to bind excellence to all its students through a competent and proficient teaching staff, the school continues to move into different phases of educational reform but one factor that remains consistent in school plan is the need for professional development of all teachers. Catering to this need, in the beginning of the session 2011-12, teacher’s induction and training programme was organized. This programme focused on the smallest unit in education, which is the classroom full of all varieties of students. This programme helped teachers not only to update their skills and knowledge but also to totally transform their roles as educators.
During the one – week – long session, the school principal, Vijay Sir, explained the most effective format of Unit Plan and Daily Lesson Plan. He also presented the new home-work policies which are intended to make students self-dependent and responsible towards their studies. He also stressed upon evaluating students’ progress on daily basis and put that into grades. The corrective measures for poor grades will ensure teacher’s extended support to those learners.
A lot of brainstorming took place about the functioning of different committees of teachers for smooth running of co-curricular activities. Furthermore, an in-depth discussion was held about the revised CCE format and its role to check students’ multifaceted development.
To vastly varying degrees, all the sessions contained elements of faculty and facility introduction, classroom management, student discipline, professional conduct, and professional obligations. In subject meetings, teachers discussed about a variety of teaching techniques and evaluation processes.
Educators have access to an expanding body of knowledge in regard to their content area, teaching techniques and meaningful engaged learning for students. This increased flow of information – along with the current focus on educational standards that emphasize in-depth learning experiences and problem-solving abilities in mathematics, science, social studies, and other disciplines – has made it imperative that teachers are prepared to implement change in the classroom.
Thus, this training and induction programme aiming at professional development, helped the teachers as individuals and as educators but also enriched teaching and improved learning for all students. It is an essential link to higher student achievement.
One of the most exciting parts of this training and induction programme was the workshop on use of technology encouraging teachers to take on new and expanded roles, both inside and outside of the classroom. Within the classroom, technology supports student-centred instruction. Outside of the classroom, technology supports teacher collaboration. Instead of working in isolation, teachers can work together on school wide programs. Professional development is an integral part of the overall technology plan, which clearly identifies specific learning goals to achieve.
Thus, through such teachers’ induction and training programme, Atmiya Vidya Mandir holds a shared vision of what and how students should learn, and it acknowledges the importance of ongoing professional development in promoting student learning.
ईमानदरी एवं सच्चाई: सदैव सर्वश्रेष्ठ नीति।
/0 Comments/in AVM Updates, Value Based Education /by AVM Teachersईमानदरी एवं सच्चाई: सदैव सर्वश्रेष्ठ नीति।
Honesty and Truthfulness: The Best Policy Forever.
गौरतलब है कि, जब डाँ.रूपाश्री महोदया ने भाग्य पर आधारित मूल्यपत्र-चुनाव तथा आबंटन का आयोजन किया था तब गृहपति छात्र श्री हर्षभाई सारदा के द्वारा उपरलिखित मूल्य का ही चयन हुआ था जो कि, सत्यम हाउस को परिभाषित करता है। गुरुजनो के निर्देशन में सप्ताह भर चले इस कार्यक्रम के शुभारंभ-दिवस के अवसर पर प्रार्थनासभा में छात्रों द्वारा “आज का शुभ विचार” तथा समाचार वाचन के पश्चात मूल्याधारित भाषण सहित इस परंपरा का निर्वहन हाउस के संयोजक [convener] महोदय श्री पारस पंचोली ने पहले दिन के लिए किया । अपने वक्तव्य में श्री पंचोली ने सत्य के साथ सरलता की अनिवार्यता पर विशेष रूप से प्रकाश डाला। द्वितीय दिवस के कार्यक्रम का समापन श्रीमति निलेन्द्री के सानिध्य में छात्र – श्री निकुंज भाई ने “आज का शुभ विचार” , श्रीतपन भाई ने समाचार वाचन तथा श्री जय वाकावाल भाई ने भाषण दे कर के किया। गृह-प्रतिस्पर्धा की श्रंखला में एक और कडी़ को जोड़ने का काम सप्ताह के तृतीय दिन श्री प्रभुमग्न के दिशा-निर्देशन में छात्र – श्री सचीन भाई , श्री हर्ष भाई , श्री प्रखर भाई, श्री रोशन भाई ने पूर्व-निर्धारित क्रम से ही सम्पन्न किया ।
ध्यातव्य है कि, इस पूरे सप्ताह भर के दौरान जहाँ एक ओर कुछ छात्र निर्धारित शिक्षकों के पर्यवेक्षण में प्रतिदिन प्रार्थना-सभा में होने वाले कार्यक्रमों का आयोजन करते है, वहीं दुसरी तरफ अन्य छात्र हाउस के शेष अध्यापक/अध्यापिकाओं के सानिध्य में आत्मीयविद्यामंदिर की अपनी एक खास एवं अद्भुत, विशेष रुप से प्रतिक्षित प्रति शनीवार को होने वाली रचनात्मक पेशकश की तैयारी के लिए कठोर परिश्रम कर रहे होते है। और इतना ही नहीं इन सब के साथ ही प्रति हाउस को सप्ताहारंभ में प्रदर्शनी-पट्टो पर स्वेच्छा से छात्रोचित किसी शिर्षक का चयन कर के उसकी अधिकाधिक जानकारी कम से कम जगह में रोचक तरीके से प्रदर्शित करनी होती है।
गुरुवार को भी श्री पुष्पक की जानकरी में छात्र – श्री अभीषेक भाई आरीवाला , श्री वृशांक भाई , श्री लव भाई पटेल ने अपना दायित्व निभाया । सप्ताह के अगले दिन इसी मूल्य की दिशा में श्रीमती रेखा गोस्वामी ने अग्रसित होते हुए श्री आदर्श भाई , श्री जयभाई वाकावाला , श्री पल्लव भाई , एवं कक्षा पांच और छह के छात्रों के परिश्रम से “युधिष्ठिर की सत्यनिष्ठा” नामक एक लघु नाटिका का सफलता पूर्वक प्रस्तुतिकरण किया ।
आबंटित मूल्य का महिमा मंडन करते हुए आज सप्ताहांत आ ही गया । रचनात्मक प्रार्थना सभा का कार्यभार जिन छात्रों तथा अध्यापकों के कंधों पर था उन्होनें पूर्णरुपेण दत्तचित्त होकर के शनीवार को एक अत्यन्त मनोरम नाटक का आयोजन किया जो कि, आत्मीय विद्यामंदिर में ही घटित एक सत्य प्रकरण का मञ्चन था। नाटक दो छात्रों की सत्य एवं असत्य के प्रति निष्ठा पर केंद्रित था । इसके मुख्य नायक थे छात्र श्री सुमीत चौधरी, छात्र श्री आगम [11 वी वाणिज्य] एवं छात्र श्री शुभम । नाटक की मुख्या आयोजिका तथा मुख्य आयोजक भूलकु शर्मील व श्री पंचोली के साथ श्रीमती सुनिता दास , श्रीमती नीहारिका खत्री, ज्योत्सना दीदी , श्रीमती संगीता दूबे आदि ने कठोर परिश्रम से सच्चाई एवं ईमानदारी का संदेश छात्रों तथा दर्शको तक आसानी से और सफलता पूर्वक पहुंचाया।
प्रदर्शनी-पट्ट: इस बार सत्यम हाउस ने प्रदर्शनी-पट्ट को बडा ही आकर्षक तथा साथ ही साथ गागर में सागर रूप दिया । जापान में सुनामी तथा भूकंप के दौरान वहाँ के लोगो ने जिस अनुशासन और आपसी सौहार्द का प्रदर्शन किया उस को ध्यान में रख कर तैयार किये गये प्रदर्शन पट्ट देखते ही बनता था।
नींव की ईंटे – भूलकु सर्वदर्शितबेन , श्री सुह्रदम नायक , श्री हिमांशू , श्री पूजीतभाई , प्रत्यक्ष तथा अप्रत्यक्ष सभी सहयोगी व्यक्तियों को सत्यम हाउस का हार्दिक अभिनन्दन एवं आभार ।
लेखक: पुष्पक जोशी (शिक्षक)
Investiture Ceremony 2011 – 2012
/0 Comments/in 21st Century Skills, AVM Updates /by Seema JoshiLeaders are not born they are made, in Atmiya Vidya Mandir, the students storing the treasures of childhood are also growing up as compassionate, caring and committed individuals. Here, while enjoying the freedom students learn to be responsible and disciplined. Responsibility is something that has to grow from within the child and in Atmiya Vidya Mandir it finds direction in the values absorbed by the children by participating in various activities outside the class room. Student Council is a platform where representative of student-body shoulder and share responsibilities in conducting various activities within the school. As discharging their duties in their particular role, the active members of Student Council learn to develop pride in their competence, experiencing challenges and their own way of doing things. These are all essential if our students are to grow up to become independent responsible adults
The Investiture ceremony of our school was a solemn occasion, where the elected members of the student Council took the oath of confidence to uphold the honour of our school. The occasion was held on the 25th of June, 2011.
As per Atmiya Vidya Mandir’s tradition, the respected guests Haresh Sir, Vijay Sir and previous year’s Head Boy Sarthak Jariwala were requested to light the auspicious lamp and do the pujan of Thakorji to begin the ceremony. The oath-taking ceremony commenced after declaration of the roles, for which the principal of the school Dr. Vijay Patel was invited on the stage. He administered the oath of honor and dedication to the members of student council. This was followed by an inspiring speech by him in which he insisted to be active and enthusiastic in academic, extra-curricular and sports activities. He also inspired the office bearers to be role models and take up responsibilities in the right perspective.
Then, Dr. Rupashree Ma’am briefed the designated role and responsibilities of Head Boy, Vice Head Boy, Sports Captain and Class Prefects. She also motivated them to perform their duties in accordance to the laws of the school. The chief guest of the occasion was our honorable Principal Sir Dr. Vijay Patel. School Head Boy Sarthak Jariwala gave the welcome address. The function was in a very befitting manner, the badges were pinned by the respective House Conveners to their House Captains. Donning the mantle of responsibility, they also pledge to dispense their duties sincerely and abide by the rules and regulations of the school.
It was followed by flag receiving ceremony, the Head boy, sports captain, and house captains received school flag, sports flag and house flags respectively. The program concluded with the school song. The list of newly elected office bearers is as follows:
Head Boy: Aditya Patel (Class 11 Science)
Vice Head Boy: Parth Amipara (Class 9B)
Sports Captain: Abhishek D Patel (Class 10B)
Satyam House
Captain: Harsh Sarda (Class 9A)
Vice Captain: Anand Pandya (Class 8A)
Shivam House
Captain: Sagar K Patel (Class 10B)
Vice Captain: Vaishvik M Patel (Class 8B)
Sundaram House
Captain: Anmol Kagrecha (Class 9A)
Vice Captain: Rushi Patel (Class 8B)
Suhradam House
Captain: Harsh Ambalia (Class 10B)
Vice Captain: Yogin Patel (Class 8B)
Taking time out…
/0 Comments/in AVM Updates /by AVM TeachersShowers of blessings in this rainy season !!!!!!!
/0 Comments/in AVM Updates, Motivational, Value Based Education /by Seema JoshiA living legend, Hariprasad Swamiji occupies the most unique position in everybody’s heart but His most beloved are the students of Atmiya Vidya Mandir. It was a matter of extreme joy for AVM Family as Swamishree expressed His ardent wish to meet students of Atmiya Vidya Mandir before he moves for His US Vichran in the last week of June’11.
As soon as Swamishree reached the school campus, it was a festive moment for AVM family. The teachers, students, and members of other departments felt strongly that His Grace would come to them unasked at the right time. Swamiji entered the temple arena in the evening and showered His blessings upon the children. Students who drew extraordinary percentage in the latest board exams were fortunate enough to be patted and greeted by Swamiji on the stage. The newly elected members of Student Council were also greeted by Swamiji on the stage. Afterwards, Swamishree addressed the students enlightening them with His affectionate and Divine words. Swamiji urged the students to remain concentrated and focused on their studies all the time. He also advised the students to respect and accept instructions and decisions given by their parents. It seemed that Swamiji has taken a promise from these students that they should remain cool and God – reliant in any unfavorable and distracting situations. Once again Swamiji insisted the students for revision on daily basis and remain attentive in the class.
It was quite a hectic schedule for Swamishree as he has been travelling and straining so much yet His love for AVM family members overflowed when he expressed His wish to call teacher’s meeting after dinner at late evening. Though it was obvious to be tired after such exhausting schedule of the whole day but Swamiji’s ever beaming face and benign smile conveyed his pleasure of being with faculty members of Atmiya Vidya Mandir family in the school auditorium. He addressed teachers’ meeting explaining them His mission behind this school to gift the society morally, spiritually and academically strong individuals. In this teachers’ meeting, Swamishree stressed upon loving the children unconditionally and showing them the path of an ideal life. Swamishree also urged the teachers to give value based education. The meeting went on till late night but Swamishree did not seem to stop benefitting the faculty members giving them advice like an educator. He repeatedly asked the teachers to find the students as embodiment of God and to take care of them all the time.
His prodigious memory is a matter of great wonder for all. Sternly determined as He is to love unconditionally and uplift all of us, He feels profound joy in seeing and meeting students of Atmiya Vidya Mandir. He is comparable to dam which contains wild floods within control. He teaches us the path without teaching. Most importantly, He shows in His conduct what he asks us to do.