Y is for Yaks

                                                                                       Classroom Experience Reflection       

It was only my third day of teaching Geography in Class 6. During the lesson, one of the students who understands English quite well but hesitates to speak it in class said in Hindi, “Pata nahi kahan kahan se aa jaate hain aur English mein patar-patar karne lag jaate hain.” (Don’t know where these people come from, and they start chattering).   

I heard this, and instead of feeling offended, I laughed along with the students. This moment, though funny on the surface, became a very important learning experience for me as a teacher. It made me realize that as educators, we must understand what our students are truly feeling, their insecurities, fears, and resistances.

After this incident, I consciously changed my teaching approach. I slowed down the pace of my delivery, used simpler language, and began encouraging that particular student to speak a few sentences in English every day. I also kept reassuring him that he already had a strong command of the language and just needed confidence. Over time, he started participating more, and by the mid-term, he performed really well in the exam.

This experience reminded me how vital it is for teachers to stay reflective and adaptive. Teaching is not just about delivering lessons; it is about understanding students, meeting them where they are, and growing alongside them. I am learning and improving each day, and such small incidents play a big role in shaping me as a better teacher.

                                                       

Krishna Nand Pathak is a teacher at NIRMAN. He is an education professional from Bhopal, holding an MA in Education from Azim Premji University and a graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication from MCU Bhopal.

He is currently teaching Social Studies to Classes 6 to Class 10.