Breaks bring a fresh perspective. Working as a teacher for over one and half decade, with few   breaks in between has garnered various reactions, like the typical why questions, some saying, ”Oh! You are a teacher! You must be having so many holidays” (which confused me as to whether they were criticizing the profession or telling me tell us something we don’t know), to just a nonchalant OH!

But I would say, and the teachers all around the world would agree, that we are being observed and emulated by very impressionable minds, and taking a break to rejuvenate, not only physically but for our extraordinarily-ticking minds, which keep ticking everywhere, thinking about “their kids” and what can one do to help them become better not only in academics but better human beings too, is important to say the least.

And hence this break has been welcome especially for a person who is creatively inclined and is not in a favour of boundaries. I keep telling my students and teachers and whoever I come across to think out of the box. 

Hence started the rejuvenation process with numerous things to occupy me, among others reading-it is absolutely blissful to just sit for hours and not think about work-restarted with painting, though in spurts, which I am sure all those into any form of art would agree, is absolutely cathartic. There was something at the back of my mind, something I always aspired to do was to give back in some way. And there is no better way than to share ones knowledge.

 

Hence I started looking around to volunteer, which has been an integral part of my teaching journey, having volunteered for different NGOs and done major events with the children like wall painting among others. Through friends and a few watasapp groups I came to know about ANGEL XPRESS FOUNDATION. As luck would have it, a new centre had just begun in ghatkopar. I got in touch with the lead volunteer Jigna and started my way to the garden. As I went there I saw volunteers teaching these children maths and English. They were very excited to learn new things and most of all excited about having new teachers. As I sat with them, with their work almost over, we decided on narrating a story to them. They listened with curiosity and concentration. By the end of the session we had bonded well. And I have not looked back since then!

Every day with these kids helped unearth something new in me. I could teach without boundaries. (No boundary person) And this helped me score boundaries for myself! We had hilarious story telling sessions, and every time the children saw me, they would say “Teacher, aaj kahani sunaona…hasne wali”(please narrate a  funny story). Of course there were a few of them who loved to mimic my voice, being soft spoken which may be new to them, having listened to teachers who are loud.

The love and eagerness of the children helped my creative mind to push the boundaries and make our interactions as interesting as possible. Apart from the normal reading, writing and arithmetic, I believe it is important to expose children to as much variety as possible. Hence we had a nature walk one cloudy morning, which they thoroughly enjoyed. The children set off on an exploration and found lots of new things…not only in nature but in themselves too, like observation skills, excitement to pick up new things on their way, seeing nature from a different perspective, team work, the confidence to present what they found in sentences and mostly creativity with which they made the whole project. And not to forget seeing the happiness in their achievement!

Reflections are an integral part of a teacher. This experience reinforced my faith in learning in creative ways. As I continue my search for ways to make learning interesting and in the process going to school fun, these little experiences help me to keep breaking boundaries.

I am grateful to AXF for this opportunity to work along with these children.

My fellow volunteers at the ghatkopar east centre amaze me every day with their selfless acts as well as their dedication to make a difference. This is where I see a different side of the Human spirit where kindness, compassion and the will to bring a positive difference are the only goals.

 

As I continued my journey, teaching and learning, I learnt new facets about AXF and their dedication to take volunteering to a new level. They have planned meetings and curriculum as well and hence helps give direction to the whole team of volunteers at every centre.

 Cheers to AXF and all the volunteers who are like guardian angels to the children they teach.

Nidhi Bagaria.