Teacher’s Day: “Superheroes” are at the core of education recovery-News

The teacher is indeed our superhero.

Since the pandemic hit, our world has undergone earth-shaking changes, and our teachers have taken up the challenge brilliantly to ensure that education continues unhindered even when schools are empty and distance learning becomes the new normal.

On October 5 this year, World Teacher’s Day, the theme of these superstars’ celebrations is indeed correct: Teachers are at the heart of the revival of education.

In the past year and a half, teachers have been under tremendous pressure to change their classroom teaching methods to a completely online or mixed mode. They continue to attend classes, take exams, complete academic courses, and even implement complex standard operating procedures (SOP) to ensure everyone’s safety when the school reopens.

Teachers help students cope with the “new normal”, and now they readjust again to start the post-pandemic recovery, because full face-to-face learning begins again.

Khaleej Times empathizes with several senior teachers and brings stories of their struggles and victories to everyone.

Pandora in the Digital World

Daisy Justus is a senior English teacher at GEMS Our Own High School – Al Warqa’a. She has been a teacher for 41 years. She is the longest-serving teacher of GEMS Education. She said that when a pandemic hits, she must adapt to the huge changes.

“During the lockdown of the pandemic, our students and faculty must adapt quickly. Our top priority is to ensure that all students’ teaching and learning go smoothly, and take care of their well-being through unprecedented activities. Teaching through screens every day is challenging Sex. However, our students have also helped and supported us-we have been learning from each other.”

This veteran arrived in the UAE in 1978 and joined our own English high school in September 1980. Ms. Mariamma Varkey, who passed away earlier this year, guided my career. ” she says.

Justus is passionate about teaching. “What I have always liked about teaching is that I can inspire and be inspired by the young people who enter my classroom every day.

“One of the biggest changes I have seen over the years is the delivery of courses. When I started, it was the “talk and chalk” method; now teaching is multidimensional.”

Teachers said that although the trend of technology and digital platforms dominating education last year will continue, the human factor in teaching will never be replaced.

Conor Ralph, Head of English Language and Literature for Years 9 and 10 of the Jumeirah Bachelor School, and has been an educator for the past 10 years, said: “Although I have taught in different continents and experienced a wide range of educational backgrounds, it is enough for me to help me in 2020. We were prepared for the day we closed school and worked from home in early March.

“Adjustment needs to be fast. Teachers must adapt to using technology to teach and communicate with students, colleagues and parents. Faced with so much uncertainty, our students have shown resilience and courage.

“Innovation is the key; we use project-based work to give students time to complete cross-curricular tasks within a few weeks (called GRASPS). We use online group discussion rooms to facilitate group work in the course, and even try to include speakers Virtual gatherings from other time zones!

“The clearest conclusion I have drawn from this experience is related to the importance of teacher-student relationships. Online learning has witnessed the development of these relationships, but nothing is more appropriate than being together-we are happy to make everyone All returned to the same place safe and sound.”

Muhammad Ali Kottakkulam, the principal of Dubai Gulf Indian High School, who has been in contact with the education department for the past 33 years, said: “Teachers and students are equally excited about starting face-to-face learning on Sunday. Thanks to the teachers. They are basically satisfied with the face-to-face teaching. They did not encounter any major challenges. On the contrary, after the more challenging blended learning, they all feel comfortable and willing to provide face-to-face courses.”

Teachers sometimes have to share work space and gadgets with the whole family at home, but they manage to tide over the difficulties. Lorraine Williams, a 6th grade teacher at GEMS FirstPoint School-The Villa, said: “I think my job is not only a teacher, but also a person responsible for the needs and care of children. I also take it as my responsibility to ensure that children love learning. I am very happy that the children are now back to school because we can use the science laboratory.”

Educators said that the re-closeness between teachers and students once again brought a more natural, interactive and vivid classroom atmosphere.

“This is a sight worth seeing. The classroom is crowded with young, energetic and enthusiastic learners. With masks, their eyes tell thousands of complex emotions such as happiness, excitement, confusion and anxiety,” Sharon Marie, who has been in education for more than 15 years, said that he worked as a secondary school supervisor at the Gulf Model School, HOD, Dubai.

“It is a great relief to switch from online learning to on-site learning, because the black screen is covered with small faces, and there is no need to turn on the camera, mute or unmute the microphone.

“Now for me, how to readjust the active classroom curriculum is restricted, which is a challenge for me.”

Nandini Silka