Student Agency at My Good School

Student Agency by Sandeep Dutt

The Making Of My Good School

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The Making Of My Good School

In October 2021, we witnessed a turning point, with teachers focusing on other priorities of returning to school post the COVID19 pandemic, we turned our attention to the students and set up My Good School.

The students took charge of their learning, leading to a crescendo of #JoyOfLearning. 12 years old Rishona, our School Captain is a shining example of student agency. She manages My Good School with remarkable skill, making her the perfect mascot for the student agency.

In 2023, the challenges of fatigue and work pressure for teachers brought us back to a new normal at schools. Teacher’s needed to adapt and learn, the Schools formed an association and we started the Masterclass 2024 for Teachers.

Today, we feel a sense of fulfilment and joy, as interns and fellows take the lead in strengthening The Teacher’s Academy learning programs. Anoushka, helps manage The Teacher’s Academy. In addition, Kunal heads The Impact Project and monitors the learning and assessment process. We thank Rishona, Anoushka and Kunal, they significantly help manage the operations and offer online support to our community of passionate educators.

Where Passion Meets Education - Amardeep Singh

Amardeep Singh by Sandeep Dutt

Where Passion Meets Education

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Passion, purpose, and what is work?
Work, eat, sleep, recharge, and get to work again! The world is all about consumption; for Amardeep, Passion must work like the sea waves—ebb and tide. He shares what Passion means for him, his life, and his work, leaving a poignant message for young people. Amardeep is a harbinger of ‘Oneness’ and shares Guru Nanak’s life and work. He moved from being a banker to an avid traveller, tracing the footsteps of Guru Nanak.

We must go beyond the life of building bank balances to find fulfilment in life, what Passion means to us, and any activity that resonates within oneself and acts as a catalyst for developing one’s mind to achieve what your heart wishes. We pursue things close to us, do not mindlessly follow emotions, take activities, and yes, you are uncontrollable beyond reasoning. Overcome barriers, and when you pursue a passion, you will unfurl your life's purpose.

Where Passion Meets Education (WPME), the host, Sandeep Dutt, converses with passionate educators only once a month.

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What I value the most in life - Monika Singh Pundir

Many things have their own value in my life, like the opportunity I have got and will get only once. For now, as a student, earning a scholarship and going to the best colleges and universities are valuable to me. Every single person values their parents and time because, without parents, we could not make it possible, but being happy and being treated equally is also valuable. 

The most valuable thing for us in this life is happiness because we get only one life, so we should enjoy it. 

Monika Singh Pundir
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Ce que l'indépendance signifie pour moi - Rishona Chopra

 

Language: French 

L'indépendance n'est pas le droit de faire ce que l'on veut mais le droit de faire ce qui est juste. L'indépendance est l'essence de la liberté, le sentiment que nous ne sommes gouvernés par personne d'autre mais que nous avons la possibilité, tout comme les autres, d'explorer et d'apprendre. L'indépendance est un droit qui est beru fondamental et notre besoin mais de nos jours ce besoin est devenu un désir. Beaucoup de gens n'ont pas l'indépendance nécessaire pour prendre leurs décisions dans la vie, faire ce qu'ils veulent, étudier et ne pas vivre sous la domination de quelqu'un. Alors ne prenons pas notre indépendance pour acquise car c'est quelque chose de spécial.

Translation:

Independence is not the right to do as we wish but the right to do what is right. Independence is the essence of freedom, the feeling that we are not ruled by anyone but have the opportunity, just like others, to explore and learn. Independence is a fundamental right and our need, but nowadays, this need has become a want. Many people don't have the independence to make their decisions in life, do what they want, study and not live under the rule of somebody. So let's not take our independence for granted because it is unique.

Rishona Chopra 
Grade VI 
Gyanshree School

When my mentor left me - Gaurangi Rastogi

When your teacher, who helped you as a friend to fight your pain to become successful, is like you, You can talk to them about anything. Who made your worst subjects interesting. My role model is going on a new journey. 

Okay! So, I'm going to tell you my feelings about this scenario in points.

• When you hear the news, you think of it as a rumour and ignore it for a few weeks.

• When the news comes out to be true, you simply are in shock. 

• Now, if you want to make a remembrance for them, you can make it from any material you find. 

• You decorate it with your words and feelings. 

You Know, I am writing this just to express my feelings. This is an important lesson I learnt from my mentor to ‘ express your heart’ in any form. 

Gaurangi Rastogi 

Class VII 

The Doon Girls’ School

Why The Mistakes? - Rishona Chopra

Albert Einstien was once teaching a class and said 9x10 = 91, the whole class burst out laughing, and Albert Einstien calmly said, "I said 9 correct answers, but no one appreciated me, but I made one mistake, and you all laughed at me. This means that our society notices the smallest mistakes but never the good things." 

When our teachers make a small mistake like a typo error, don't all students point it out, but most of us don't even thank them when she teaches well. We, humans, practice always pointing out mistakes, and even I do, but we never appreciate things. Look at nature; we never understand its beautiful branches but point out the dry flower. 

In the same way, we all don't notice what we have but see what we don't. We have a family, a home, a school to go to, books, fancy pens, and clothes to wear, but still, we eye the things we don't have. Like a pair of shoes, we don't appreciate that at least we have feet. Have you ever thanked God for giving you a healthy and happy life? Have you felt gratitude for having a beautiful face, hands, and legs? We think it is normal, but it's not. Even giving birth in this world is a blessing. 

Rishona Chopra
Grade 6
Gyanshree School

The Best Element Of School - Rishona Chopra

The best element of School is the teacher. The way each teacher manages the class is remarkable. Every single teacher has several qualities. Along with taking care of students, they ensure that they are comfortable; when one does something very naughty while the class is studying, they are firm with that student. 

No matter how firm the teacher is, with most teachers, you will get this sense that you are safe and you can trust our teacher because she is a teacher; when mother and father are gone for the day, she becomes both!

Teachers are parents, and we must never disrespect them. They are always there for you and to help you out.

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

I want to become an Astro Geologist! - Archita Saxena

Archita is an intensely inquisitive student of grade 3 in Gyanshree School, Noida. She dreams of becoming an astro-geologist, someone who studies rocks on the other planets. Here she is showing her effort at building a Mars exploration rover. She has named it RAN,  based on Ritu Karidhal, Anuradha TK and Nandini Harinath, women scientists who helped make the ISRO Mangalyaan.

Archita Saxena
Grade 3
Gyanshree School

Appreciation - Varad Sadvilkar

All of us have been appreciated at some point. I can recollect being appreciated by my class teacher as the “Student of the month” for having completed all my classwork in spite of a fractured left hand.

Similarly, pre-primary graduation day, science project presentation, class paintings, annual day performances, etc. have all been appreciated. 

Participating in much loved sports such as Skating and Swimming have also been rewarding. Most of all, appreciation from my parents has always encouraged me to take up newer challenges and perform at my very best. 

Varad Sadvilkar 

Grade - 5A  

Billabong High International School Thane