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Find out from Trishna what are the chances of growth if technical skills are added to the teaching profession…

Trishna Chaudhuri– Teacher, Mallya Aditi International School

Trishna Chaudhuri is an experienced teacher who teaches English language and literature. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and a Master’s degree in Sociology and Women’s Studies. She later completed a B.Ed. in English and Social Sciences. Trishna worked on a women’s development project with the World Bank and then pursued a career in education. She has trained in various education systems, including the IB, the British curriculum, the CBSE, and the ICSE. She incorporates storytelling, music, art, and physical activity into her teaching.

She uses various methods to motivate students to read, such as classroom libraries, dramatic reading sessions, and recommended reading lists. Trishna is also a writer and has chosen the romance genre. She incorporates her education and experiences into her writing.

Trishna believes in inspiring students to learn and encouraging them to think creatively. She is also the mother of two grown children.

Here are excerpts from our conversation with him on career and education related topics:

You switched from history to sociology for a postgraduate degree. What was the reason behind this change? What kind of professional journey were you envisioning at the time?

I’d always wanted to study sociology, and once I’d completed my undergraduate degree, I decided to pursue a master’s in sociology and applied to universities. I was very keen on a career in the development field, and this seemed like a good path.

After my Masters, I was offered an opportunity by the World Bank to work on a women’s development project with the Government of India. In 2001, India was creating several new states, and projects had to be launched in these new states as well. So, I joined the World Bank IFAD project with the Government of India as their Communications Officer for a project called Swashakti, and soon I was asked to oversee the launch of the project in the new state of Chhattisgarh.

This project focused on the economic empowerment of women in rural areas through self-help groups (SHGs). Thus, I started on the path I had envisioned.

As far as the reason behind the change is concerned, it was a very stressful assignment.

During one break, I went to my alma mater, Carmel Convent School, New Delhi. The principal was a former teacher I had when I was a student. She asked me if I would be willing to work as a substitute teacher for grades 10-12 during my break. I was free, so I agreed, and there was no looking back.

You went on to earn a B.Ed. and have had a long career as a teacher. Did you always dream of teaching?

No. I was actually adamant about doing anything but becoming a teacher. My mother was a professor, and she kept telling me I would do great in that profession. No one listens to their parents at that young age, and I refused to consider it. But, well, things happen if they’re meant to.

How do you make learning English fun for your students?

I’ve been trained in various education systems or boards, and each follows a different format and pedagogy. I’ve trained in the IB, British Curriculum, Common Ground Collective, CBSE, and ICSE. My approach is a blend of all of these. I like to plan my lessons with physical activity, storytelling, and a combination of music and art. English can be learned in such a fun way. For example, I like to read novels to my students in a dramatic way, so they experience the characters’ experiences, eat their food, and sometimes even draw pictures based on what I’m listening to.

What are your thoughts on the importance of English language skills in today’s world?

This is very important. English is the most common language of communication, which makes it a very important medium.

How do you motivate students to read more?

I believe that if you ask something from someone

If you keep asking them to do something, it becomes a chore, and no one likes work. That’s why I don’t believe in forcing students. There are other methods that can be used to give them the push they need.

I have a well-stocked class library and often pull out books to discuss. I use interesting excerpts from various texts and usually leave a short summary of the story and tell them where they can find the book. I also conduct dramatic reading sessions of 3 to 4 novels each year.

Students love listening to the story and often want to know if there are more stories like it. I also keep my recommended reading lists updated. It’s not just a list of books; I create a visual list with a picture of the book cover and tell them if the book is available on Kindle or Audible. This works very well.

How did your B.Ed degree help you in your teaching career?

It has not been particularly helpful but yes it is required by various boards and schools so it has been helpful in getting my job and getting the right salary.

– Garima Pankaj