In today’s fast-paced and rapidly changing world, being a key player in the process of academic success for students means that the role of principals has never been more critical than it is now. Principals play a significant role in the instruction of their students, being their mentors or those people who have a powerful effect on shaping the lives of the students they are in charge of, not only academically but also in terms of their personal growth and development. This essential but intricate task was the centerpiece of another thought-provoking webinar organized by Edumate TV, which included distinguished education experts from different schools in India. The discussion, titled “Making Students the Best Versions of Themselves” ran on teachers and principals coming together from several schools to form a collective discussion sharing their perspectives on how administrators can foster growth through the development of student personalities.
The panel consisted of Dr.Niyati Chitkara from Chitkara International School (Panchkula); Shailja Kashyap, Director Principal, Takshila International School (Himachal Pradesh); Mrs. Raina Verma, Principal Cambridge International School(Mohali); Mr.Kuldeep Singh Gulleria, DAV Centenary Public School (Himachal Pradesh); Deepak Singi, Principal, Eicher School Parwanoo (New Delhi ); Dr. Avinder Singh Bali, Principal, Delhi Public School (Manali); and Dr. Rajesh Kumar Chandel, Principal, Dass & Brown World School, (Ferozpur). Jyotsna Raghunathan, a renowned face of the education sector, moderated the session.
The moderator, Jyotsna Raghunathan, briefly introduced the webinar. She encouraged the panelists to discuss helping students become the best versions of themselves. She began with Dr.Niyati to weigh in on the subject.
Chitkara International School’s CEO, Dr. Niyati Chitkara discussed the benefits of a balanced approach to education. She believed this is the most effective way for students to show the best of themselves. Dr. She stresses that education should build a practical foundation in cognitive, affective, and psychomotor areas, as advocated for by Benjamin Bloom’s taxonomy. The categorization in Bloom’s taxonomy suggests that education is divided into three parallel groups: cognitive (I.Q.), affective (E.Q.), and psychomotor (S.Q.). When these three aspects are given equal consideration, it will lead to a higher level of emotional intelligence, accountability, and ability to undertake challenges that life presents.
“It is not just about being empathetic or understanding other’s feelings,” says Dr. Rajesh Kumar Chandel, who believes Emotional Intelligence (E.I.) is an important aspect that makes students become better versions of themselves according to him. He sees E.I. as key in achieving self-awareness, among other qualities such as motivation, because without them, individuals cannot achieve what they want to accomplish in life, be it academic or personal goals.
One lesson observed in the discussion is the need to offer chances for students’ growth and development. Dr. Chandel highlighted that schools must provide tangible skills and experiences for students to find meaning in themselves and know where they are headed. He felt that this could be accomplished by including programs such as project-based education, internships, or extracurricular activities in their programs.
Eoching the sentiments, Shailja Kashyap highlighted the need to focus on character building, which is often overlooked. She said,”we must work on the power of showing up.We all must be role models, besides the curriculum and the studies.” She emphasized that learners need to learn how to take responsibility, be courageous, and accept failures as a part of the learning process.
Kashyap emphasized that children must learn this valuable lesson early on, as they often face peer pressure and competition. “They are taking lots of peer pressure. They have the competition with each other. So I feel that anything mom said, competition has to be with oneself,” she added. We can help children develop a positive mindset and mental health by focusing on E.Q. and character building.
While underscoring the significance of education, Mr.Kuldeep Singh Guleria talks about principals’ involvement in children’s upbringing. He said, “It is simpler to develop a strong child than mending a broken man. We can mold their mindsets.”
He emphasizes the importance of teachers serving as facilitators for student learning, helping students develop understanding from the sources of information available to them. The role of a teacher has increased manifold. They are not willing to listen to anyone else.
Furthermore, teachers need to instill in students a culture of mental growth and development by creating a conducive environment within the school. “Kids at school really need to know they can set goals. They should be able to chase what they like most. Students need to grow mentally through social and emotional programs, and teachers should guide them in character development,” he added.
Later, Mrs.Raina asserted that “Marks cannot define a child’s destiny,” highlighting each child’s individuality, talents, and shortcomings. Additionally, she emphasized the significance of students’ self-worth and self-assurance, proposing that education should be experiential and grounded in actual circumstances.
In response to a question on the idea of being the “best version” of oneself, Deepak Singi said that accepting one’s flaws and strengths is more important than striving for perfection. He underlined that creating learning experiences should be grounded on actual circumstances rather than merely academic knowledge and that each person is a soul traveler who must make their own decisions. Singi also emphasized the value of relaxation and acceptance in the challenging environment we live in today.
Dr. Avinder Singh Bali discussed how to foster a supportive atmosphere that promotes self-acceptance, mindfulness, and resilience. He underlined that giving children the freedom to make errors and develop from them is crucial. Failure is an opportunity for progress. Bali also emphasized that acquiring life skills should come first.
The webinar concluded by highlighting the vital role that principals play in assisting students to become the best versions of themselves. Instructors must help pupils reach their full potential. To achieve this, educators must balance imparting academic knowledge and developing emotional intelligence in their students, providing opportunities for learners to grow and develop, and implementing constructive teaching strategies to facilitate parent-teacher collaboration.
The takeaway from this webinar is clear: making students the best version of themselves requires a multifaceted approach that involves educators, parents, and policymakers working together to create educational systems that are better equipped to support student success.
Here are some key takeaways from the discussion:
- Theory-based learning is the key to unlocking students’ true potential.To enable children to acquire problem-solving skills, communicate effectively in speech or writing, and think critically about various issues in life, head teachers need to give them a solid structure based upon essential topics such as mathematics, science, and language arts.
- Emotional intelligence is essential for the students to be their best. Principals should prioritize E.I. in their schools by including activities that foster self-awareness, self-regulation, and motivation.
- To reach their fullest potential, it is important to create avenues of growth and development.To achieve this goal, head teachers must give students abilities and experiences that assist them in making sense of life.
- Positive reinforcement enhances students’ value and motivation. The head of the institution should provide timely, specific, and sincere feedback that enables students to develop into growth thinkers.
- Parents and teachers must work together to support student success. To ensure pupils receive this support to optimize their potential, head teachers should contact and collaborate closely with mothers and fathers.
- When preparing students for adversity, educators must abandon the idea that rote education is enough.If schools are to quickly provide their students with the capacity to change their objectives (just like moving targets), then the foremost choice would be experiential and project-oriented teaching methods.
