“Training of Trainers”: Sejalben Mahida Conducts a Workshop at Kadod High School

A major part of our efforts this year has been to identify and train a qualified Gujarati English teacher to give professional development workshops at Kadod High School. Not only does it make good sense to collaborate with local teachers and empower them to be leaders at their schools, it is also one of the most fundamental tenants of development work. In the lingo, it is referred to as “Training of Trainers”, or “TOT” for short. The buzzwords, however, are not what is important. Rather, it is the lasting impact these individuals will have on their community that is true focus of our work in India. One of the most accomplished English teachers at the school, and the head of the English Department, Sejalben Mahida, was more than enthusiastic to host a small workshop with our four co-teachers last month. We have worked with her consistently all year to gain a better understanding of the Gujarati educational system, identify issues, brainstorm solutions and collaborate on how we can make our ideas work in this context. Her energy and commitment to the Nanubhai mission, as well as her qualifications as an educator, made her an obvious candidate to host a workshop. Her specialty, and the topic of the workshop, was ‘How to Teach and Effective Grammar Lesson’. The workshop was conducted in Gujarati, and all four co-teachers atteneded. Sejal’s advice was sound: be extremely well prepared, know your topic inside and out, present the students with rules that are concise and easy to remember, and have many exercises that allow the students to practice. Any teacher can confirm that this easy-to-follow advice is the foundation for a successful grammar lesson. Sejalben is a skilled teacher, fluent in English, and a leader at the school. Her passion for improving education and her dedication to her profession is an inspiring example of a local person who, with the support of Nanubhai staff and donors, can make significant change in the community. Empowering her to give workshops has been one of the most rewarding parts of our work this year and will last well beyond our one-year tenure. I have included a picture of Sejalben and the four co-teachers during the workshops. Thank you to all our donors who make these types of programs possible! -Claire Lynn Arthurs