Transformative Pedagogy -- 2016

Most employees want the same things: a fair and competitive salary, hikes and promotions, and proper TA/DA—all of which foster greater engagement and a sense of job satisfaction. Monetary benefits consistently top the list of what would give employees greater gratification. Provide these benefits, and one can expect a more positive culture, more engaged employees, and a more loyal and productive workforce.

The Ministry of Education has been working on developing teachers' skills and increasing their happiness. "A teacher is the heart of the school and of education," said Education Minister Norbu Wangchuk. Thanks to his vision and sound planning, teachers in Bhutan were able to attend five days of training at various centers across the country. Although the workshop timing fell during the summer break for some teachers, it was mostly scheduled at the beginning of the second semester. The workshop centers were carefully planned. To ensure teachers received entitlements such as TA/DA, they were sent a fair distance from their schools. For example, teachers from Darla MSS were sent to Phuntsholing and Chukha, while teachers from Chukha schools were sent to Gedu. This thoughtful arrangement was truly heartwarming, and many teachers were grateful. Thanks to this approach, all teachers were entitled to full benefits—something that might not have happened if the initiative had been steered by less capable hands.

It was clearly announced and published in newspapers how much budget the new Education Minister had invested in teachers. "In order to develop the capacities of teachers, Nu 116.8 million has been allocated this year, up from just around Nu 8 million last year. The ministry in 2016 will initiate new pedagogy training for around 9,000 teachers across the country" (Kuensel, "Investing to Better Teachers," June 6, 2016). We know that teachers do not typically receive benefits such as travel allowances. Providing equal TA/DA and mileage entitlements would boost the efficiency and productivity of civil servants in Bhutan, thereby benefiting the country's overall economic performance. Furthermore, this would increase the level of confidence, competence, ethics, and integrity among civil servants. In the long run, it might also indirectly reduce corruption and improve accountability. I particularly thank Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk for this good initiative—it will certainly boost teachers' morale.

During the training, we were provided with sumptuous lunches and refreshments. Given the nature of other workshops and training sessions in the country, I did not expect this to work at first. But I am confident it will.

By the end of the workshop, we felt a certain sense of satisfaction. We learned new skills and knowledge, including how to apply cooperative learning structures and active learning strategies. I will not reproduce that literature here, as we received detailed handouts.

Thank You My Teachers

As I write this today, on Teacher's Day, all that comes to my mind is "Thank you," "Thank you," and "Thank you." Today, I write words of excitement and appreciation—words devoted to many great souls. This short note is in honor of all my teachers and professors, and of the life you have helped me build. Truthfully, a million pages of gratitude would not be enough.

I thank you all a million times. What you have done is sometimes more than anyone else could. When I first entered the classroom, I was nervous and skeptical, but there was an abundance of wonderful people who helped me find my footing. Thank you for teaching me, for guiding me, for showing me a smooth path in learning and reading literature. You have been the best of friends, teachers, guides, and parents.

Thank you for all that you are and for all that you did, and for caring for us. We know your work is more than just a job—it is a calling. For that, we are deeply grateful for your sacrifices.

I have learned to read better. I would never have understood that the world is round, that there are many countries like ours, or who I am—what, how, why, and so much more—if you had not taught me.

You all deserve huge congratulations and thanks. Who could forget our amazing trips? Who could forget our noisy class? Who could forget your charming and sometimes angry faces when you grew annoyed with too much work and too many responsibilities? There are so many good things to remember.

I probably cannot thank you all enough.

Thank you for everything, my teachers.

I am happy because, even though I cannot be with you all in person, I can at least keep the memories always in my heart.

Thank you very much, Mrs. and Mr.

THANK YOU

As I write today here, and as I write about my graduation and departure, all that comes to my mind is ‘Thank you,’ ‘Thank you,’ ‘Thank you.’ Today I write words of excitement and appreciation. Words devoted to many great souls. This short note is in honor of you all my professors and the life you all have made me. Truthfully, a million pages of gratitude are not enough. (See my Professors profile link:five-dons-of-aims )

I thank YOU ALL a million times, for what you have done is sometimes more than anything. When I first came to the literature class, I was nervous and skeptical, but there were just these huge abundance of fine people who helped me to get my groundings. Thank you all for teaching, thank you all for guiding, thank you all for showing a smooth path in reading literature. You have been my best friend, teacher, guide, and parent.

Teachers and students of the graduating cohort of 2013, thank you for all that you are and for all that you did, and for caring about us. We know your work is more to you than just a job, it is a calling, and for that, we are so grateful for your sacrifices.

I have learned to read better. I wouldn’t have understood the depth of literature; British lit, American lit, Indian lit, World lit, Criticism, linguistics, Post Colonial Studies, Teaching English Language and Literature, Gender, Communication, etc if it weren’t tutored by you all.

You all deserve a huge congrats and thanks. Who could forget our amazing trip? Who could forget our noisy class? Who could forget the charming and angry faces, where you got annoyed with too many works and responsibilities? 

There are many good things to be remembered…

I probably can’t thank you all enough.

Thank you for everything, my teachers.

I am happy because while I cannot take you all with me, I can at least keep the memories with me always in my heart.

Thank you very much, Mrs. Mamta, Mr. Prabha, Mr. Samuel, Mrs. Parveen, Mrs. Chitra, Mr. Umashankar, Ms, Charita, and others.

A Cohort of Graduate Students with some Lecturers.

Blog and block from blockage

Blog, Twit, Goof, and the Many Worlds of the Net

There are many worlds inside the net world.

There is the world of Twitter, where people go to twit—sharing short, fleeting thoughts that vanish almost as quickly as they appear. There is the world of blogs, built for bloggers who long to express themselves at greater length. There is the world of Facebook, designed for face time or faced time—depending on whether you are truly connecting or merely performing. Then there is Google, where people goof off, drowning in unwanted information. And Yahoo, which greets you with a cheerful "tai-ho-a" before disappearing into irrelevance.

And scores of other inactive terms—carping, waiting, begging to be clicked.

Blog and Block from the Blockage

Now, there is the blog. And what I would like to call: Blog and block from the blockage of knowledge.

The site I am using recently is another addition to this universe—bringing both fun and weight. And I mean weight in two senses: the weight to my body, from sitting too long, and the weight to my mind, from thinking too deeply.

Sitting in front of a laptop, writing and reading, is undeniably rewarding for intellectual growth. But blog, twit, goof—what does all of this do to the body? What does it do to the soul?

We sit. We stare. We type. We scroll. The body pays a price, even as the mind expands.

What Matters in the End

Anyways, I hope to have a good time here. Because at the end of everything, what truly matters is not health alone, nor wealth alone—but good times.

Good times with words. Good times with thoughts. Good times with people who introduce us to new worlds.

A Note of Gratitude

Thank you, Monu Tamang—my sincere and dedicated student—for introducing me to this space.

I believe in you. And I am proud of you.