My Good School Retreat
Inspiring biannual event
Don’t miss out on The My Good School Retreat—our vibrant biannual celebration! Every spring, join us from April 11-14 at the stunning Arthur Foot Academy near the breathtaking Rajaji Sanctuary. Then, in autumn, we head to the picturesque Sunbeam Gramin School close to Varanasi from October 27-30.
My Good School
Our Sunday School began with discussions about student performance, mobile phone usage, and engagement in writing reflections, with suggestions for improving student participation through various methods. The group then explored several literary and cultural topics, including book characters, expressions, and the profession of mourners in Rajasthan, while also discussing the emotional impact of communication and the importance of forgiveness. The session concluded with an in-depth examination of Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy, focusing on his role in promoting forgiveness and reconciliation in South Africa.
Saturday Masterclass
Masterclass on Productive Failure: Sandeep discussed the importance of embracing failure and productive learning, including the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development and the role of AI in education. He highlighted motivation, contextual learning, and ongoing professional development, emphasising the need to step out of one’s comfort zone and maintain a growth mindset.
Brewing Knowledge Friday
On Friday, we discussed critical periods in cognitive development and how early experiences influence lifelong learning and emotional growth during our Brewing Knowledge session. We examined teacher-student interactions, environmental deprivation, and the nature-nurture debate, with participants sharing personal insights. The session concluded with reflections shared via WhatsApp, which we compile and publish.
Nature and Nurture - a harmony of both
The perspective that the book What Did You Ask at School Today?
Offering to call the growing period ‘sensitive’ instead of ‘critical’ can shift the weight we place on time, and instead of a more conscious effort that can be applied to every phase/period. Kamala Mukunda was inviting us teachers/parents/educators to be mindful of our actions, rather than giving ourselves clean chits by claiming we had no role to play in a child’s life because the ‘critical’ period was not within our control. Her examples draw us right into the discussion, creating space for reflection. When I ask myself this question as a teacher, it looks very similar to what I would have asked of myself: am I a person made of many atoms of past, present and future that includes my parents and all the other people I have met, things I have read, imagined, watched, etc.? If I extend the same empathy to the child in front of me, that they are a culmination of so much, I can make sense in my moments of difficulty. This might help extend my understanding instead of falling back on a concrete consequences approach.
Like always, the book is a constant source of learning and reflection. Our group makes it even more helpful since all of us are teaching and engaging in real time.
Neelashi Mangal
Training and Development Lead
Learning Forward India Foundation
When I ask myself this question as a teacher, it looks very similar to what I would have asked of myself: am I a person made of many atoms of past, present and future that includes my parents and all the other people I have met, things I have read, imagined, watched, etc.?
Joy of Learning Diaries
“ज्ञान की पुस्तक में ईमानदारी पहला अध्याय है।” मुझे लगता है कि जीवन में ईमानदार होना केवल एक गुण नहीं, बल्कि हमारी पहचान है। यह हमें दूसरों के लिए प्रेरणा बनाता है और हमारे चरित्र की मजबूती दर्शाता है। इसलिए मैं ईमानदारी को अपने जीवन का आधार मानकर जीना चाहती हूँ।
आज के समय में, जब लोग छोटे फायदे के लिए झूठ या छल का सहारा लेते हैं, तब ईमानदारी का महत्व और भी बढ़ जाता है। ईमानदारी न केवल व्यक्तिगत जीवन में सफलता दिलाती है, बल्कि समाज में एक अच्छा और सकारात्मक वातावरण भी बनाती है।
ईमानदारी का अर्थ केवल सच बोलना नहीं है, बल्कि अपने कर्मों में भी सच्चाई बनाए रखना है। जब हम ईमानदारी के मार्ग पर चलते हैं, तो चाहे परिस्थितियाँ कितनी भी कठिन क्यों न हों, हमें न डर लगता है न अपराधबोध।
ईमानदारी हमारे जीवन का एक अनमोल गुण है। यह वह नैतिक ताकत है जो हमें सच्चाई के रास्ते पर चलने की प्रेरणा देती है। ईमानदार व्यक्ति न केवल दूसरों का विश्वास जीतता है, बल्कि अपने आत्मसम्मान को भी बनाए रखता है।
ईमानदारी इंसान की सबसे बड़ी पूंजी है। यह हमें सिखाती है कि सही काम करने वाला इंसान कभी हारता नहीं, और ईमानदार व्यक्ति का सम्मान हर जगह होता है।
– Swati, Arthur Foot Academy
Happy Teachers Blog
People learn best when their interest is piqued.
In this tiny little village called Bandarjoor, where I now reside, I experience many quaint incidents that touch me deeply. Arthur Foot Academy is surrounded by small houses with large families. Most of the children here either attend government schools or do not attend school at all. Yet, their eyes are full of curiosity.
These children keep peeping into the school with wonder. To them, the school is both a mystery and a magical place — a dreamland. Some of them got their first taste of AFA during the Summer Camp in June. Since then, these starry-eyed children stand near the gates and walls, eager to catch any crumbs of fun and knowledge they can.
Recently, they learnt an English song, almost to perfection, while playing a game. Their enthusiasm and joy know no bounds when they are invited inside the school after regular hours. Tell them a story, and their eyes sparkle with delight. Teach them a song, and you will hear their gleeful voices echoing far and wide — “a hundred mile, a hundred mile.”
Minakshi Prasad, Director, Arthur Foot Academy
Books of The Week
Good Schools Alliance
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