Monthly Meeting - 25th January 2025

Meeting Purpose

Monthly review and planning meeting for the GSA Impact Team to discuss the calendar, new initiatives, and an upcoming quarter.

The minutes will help the Interns and Fellows stay informed and contribute meaningfully.

Key Takeaways

February calendar finalised with structured weekly events (Meet & Greet, documentary, workshop, book reading)

New customised learning programs launched for schools (e.g. Arthur Foot Academy, JDS)

Focus on teacher development and engagement through reading, reflection, and technology integration

Retreat sign-ups close January 31; limited to 50 participants (20 supported schools, 30 GSA members)

Topics

February Calendar Overview

1st Sunday: Meet & Greet with K.C. Jain on health, yoga, meditation

2nd Sunday: Documentary series + book reading

3rd Sunday: YES workshop (45 min) by Lena Arsha on passion, purpose, play

4th Sunday: Extended book reading session

Weekly: JDS reading sessions (Fridays 2pm, 45 min) for 40 weeks

Monthly: Arthur Foot Academy offline session

New Initiatives

Customised learning programs for schools (e.g. Arthur Foot Academy, JDS)

Transition to Google Meet for My Good School sessions

Interns focusing on the joy of learning rather than social media posts

Happiness survey implementation at Arthur Foot Academy (every 6 months)

Digital Platforms & Resources

WhatsApp communities/groups for different programs

Blogs: happyteacher.in Joy of Learning Diaries

Website: www.MyGoodSchool.in with program info, book lists

YouTube channel & podcast (Learning Forward) with 6000+ subscribers

Teacher Development Focus

Reading and reflection emphasised over direct "values" lessons

Arthur Foot Academy: Teachers creating visual representations of reflections

Technology integration: Basic computer skills, plans for AI introduction

Student Engagement

Positive feedback on English-speaking initiatives

Increased lab access for students (e.g. Sunbeam School: 15 workstations/school)

Young students (8-10 years old) participating in sessions, sharing experiences

Next Steps

Close retreat sign-ups by January 31

Implement a happiness survey at Arthur Foot Academy

Create a list of teacher volunteers for the Sunday School reading

Establish minimum post requirements for intern certification (1 post/month)

Share the happiness survey format with Minakshi for implementation

Continue encouraging teacher reflections and original content creation

GSA Impact Team Monthly Meeting
January 25, 2025

AI supported the draft; please forgive any errors and oversight.

Joy Of Reading - Sunita Mehta

Community Reading Program

It will inspire you by reading and reflecting, sharing examples of where children and adults in real life are using values and is very useful to stimulate discussion and philosophical debate. 

The Joy Of Reading Program is only one part of our standard core curriculum or the Life Skills Program - Reading, Speaking and Writing.   

On Sunday mornings at 11.00 AM, you can join us for live reading sessions. Best you attend with a copy of the book and experience the Joy of Reading. 

Post the session, the readers reflect and share their real-life experiences on our blog Joy Of Learning Diaries - writing, audio, video, graphic, and poetry. #JoyOfLearning

Mentors

Sunita Mehta is a dedicated educator and is the Headmistress at Gyanshree School Noida. She has had the opportunity of teaching in schools all over India.

Sandeep Dutt, School Improvement Coach, has empowered thousands of teachers and touched the lives of near a million children.

For details www.GoodSchools.in

Goals - Anvesha Rana

                                                            

"If the plan doesn't work, change the plan, not the goal."

When we are young, we tend to be passionate about everything, but our elders constantly ask us what we want to be as we grow. The honest answer is that most of us don't know because deciding one profession out of so many choices can be exhausting. As we grow, our options also keep on changing. For instance, when I was young, I wanted to be a dancer, but later I decided that being a teacher was better, and after a few years, it struck me that being an architect is even more fun. I am not particular about what I want to be, but I will ensure that whatever I become is my own liking and choice. 

Goals needn't always be about a career at a personal level; they may even aim for a social or national cause. Paul Kagame, Lee Kuan Yew and John F. Kennedy are three different people who had the same patriotism for their nations and the same urge to work hard for their countries. Their efforts did not go in vain, and because of them, their motherlands are now at the status they had once wished for. Big Goals need Big Efforts; they did not achieve their goals alone; millions of people helped them accomplish their target. 

Goals can be long term or short term. If we want a particular job, we will work for it till we get it, that's our goal whereas, if we wish for a good grade we will work harder to attain it. You can start today by planning your goal and setting a deadline for it since a goal without a deadline is only a dream. We all have a purpose in life, and it is our responsibility to discover and fulfil it. A life without a purpose is like a boat without a rudder. Consequently, each of us must have the flame of passion and dreams always ignited, for it is the fire that keeps us going. Always rise up to your goals. 

Anvesha Rana, 

Grade 9-B, 

Gyanshree School.