Ladder to Success
‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’. We have all come across this phrase but have you ever seen a person who has embodied this in real life? Ms. Archana’s story is no less than an inspiration. Coming from a simple background in Worli, residing with her children and husband, she never fathomed how life would change for the better.
One day, she came across a flyer that a new organization called Muktangan started their first balwadi in the community and required teachers. Having only completed her 12th Grade examinations, she was not sure if she could be a teacher. But they say that with the right support, anything is possible.
“My family stood by me like a pillar and encouraged me to go ahead and join Muktangan”
With determination in her eyes and the will to make a difference, she joined Muktangan in the year 2003. Just like any other person setting out to do something new, the initial days were daunting and overwhelming. Ms. Archana had a humongous task ahead of her to understand the pedagogy and practices of teaching tiny tots. However, all her insecurities and inhibitions vanished when she met the educationist and Founder of Muktangan, Mrs. Elizabeth Mehta, also known fondly as Liz Ma’am. Spending time with her and learning about the fundamentals of being an effective teacher really helped Ms. Archana realize the stark difference in the way education is perceived.
“Liz Ma’am is a gem of a person. She never ever underestimated my ability and helped us learn in our own ways. It’s remarkable how she made us feel at ease and so comfortable and without realizing it we became one big family.”
During the first three months of capacity building, we learnt many concepts of teaching children effectively but as they say, you will never know how to swim unless you jump into the waters. The classroom experience that she received actually helped her reflect upon her skills as a facilitator. The one key learning that has always stayed with her is that ‘The child must always be in the focus.’
With each passing year, she started climbing the ladder and before she could even blink, she had successfully taught from pre-school right up to Grade 10 in Muktangan. In the year 2011, she was appointed the Subject Faculty for English in all schools. She regards that the processes established in Muktangan such as the language proficiency sessions, curriculum understanding design and development (CUDDs) and professional development sessions helped teachers develop their capacity in an engaging and collaborative manner.
“Growing up we never had mentors or someone to guide us regarding our own learning. It was a refreshing change for me when as teachers, we were appraised based on our Key Performance Areas (KPA) and Critical Attributes (CA). This helped me constantly reflect upon ways in which I could enhance my knowledge and skills as a teacher. I always viewed the feedback as an opportunity to become better in what I did.”
Rightly so, with a growth mindset and openness to change, no challenge seems too monumental. Ms. Archana never felt burdened with any challenge that came her way but instead used it as the stepping stone to success. Initially language was a huge barrier for her and as the years progressed, lack of digital literacy became the next roadblock in her career.
“Initially I was a very shy person. I never had the opportunity to demonstrate what I knew. The culture in Muktangan is so inclusive and participatory that I always felt welcomed and cared for as a teacher. The environment is so conducive for learning that I could also complete by B.Ed. and M.A. Sociology while working in Muktangan. The amount I have learnt in all these years from my colleagues, children and parents cannot be described in merely a few sentences. All I can say is that Muktangan has equipped me with lessons for a lifetime.”
This experience has made a world of a difference in her life. In her new role as the Lead Faculty, she believes that teachers have a very instrumental role in shaping a child’s future. It is important to encourage children to speak and question the world around them. The lesson plan and curriculum delivery must have opportunities to actively engage the child such that they fall in love with learning every day. We are not just creating qualified professionals but leaders and change makers of tomorrow.
“Looking back at my journey, I feel happy to say that I am one of the first teachers of Muktangan. I have seen Muktangan blossom and grow into a huge tree providing opportunities to so many children from the community. I wake up with joy everyday knowing that Muktangan has given me a purpose to impact lives. My children are also learning in Muktangan and when they come home smiling, I know that the path I have chosen is right,”
Ms. Archana Arlekar, Lead Faculty