DEVA NANDA RJ

  Today at Palayamkunnu Government Higher Secondary School felt like stepping into the real world of teaching. Most of the teachers had gone on an excursion to Mysore and Coorg with the tenth standard students, so we trainees had to take full responsibility for the classes left behind. It was a long, busy day, yet one filled with valuable experiences that no textbook could ever teach. I began the morning with the IX E class, completing the remaining portion of yesterday’s lesson. Seeing the students respond and finally connect with what we had discussed earlier felt rewarding. By the end of the period, there was a small sense of accomplishment that quiet joy a teacher feels when a concept finally lands. Later, I had a substitution in the eighth standard. Among the group was a boy everyone called “naughty,” yet he turned out to be surprisingly kind and obedient. Even after being scolded once, he listened and followed directions sincerely. Moments like this remind me that student...

  My third day at Palayamkunnu HSS felt like stepping into deeper waters  new challenges, new faces, and a growing sense of confidence. Today, I shared two classrooms, teaching the same chapter, “The Unstoppable Sea Surfer,” to the 9C and 9D divisions. It was my first time handling two sections of the same lesson, and I quickly realized how different each class could be, even when the content was the same. Before beginning, I decided to make the lesson more relatable. I asked the students whether they had ever been to Varkala or tried any water activities. The question instantly sparked interest  a few smiled shyly, some giggled, and others eagerly began sharing what they knew. That little conversation helped me connect with them and set the tone for an engaging class. The teacher had warned me that these were the “naughty divisions,” but once I started teaching, I didn’t feel that at all. The girls were talkative more than I expected but their energy filled the room ...

Day 2 of Teaching Practice – Learning Beyond the Classroom The second day at Palayamkunnu HSS felt a little more familiar. The initial nervousness had faded, replaced by curiosity and a quiet eagerness to learn. Today, I observed two classes  one in the 8th standard and another in the 9th. The 8th standard class was handled by a Malayalam medium teacher. What caught my attention was her patience  she repeated each sentence several times to help the students understand better. It was a beautiful example of how teaching is not about rushing through lessons, but about making sure every child keeps pace. Her way of simplifying and repeating content showed me how deeply she cared for her students’ learning. Next, I observed the 9th standard class, where the teacher was teaching a chapter titled “The Unstoppable Soul Surfer.” The class was more interactive, and the students seemed curious and lively. Watching how the teacher connected with them, keeping their attention through qu...

  My First Day as a Teacher Trainee at Palayamkunnu HSS Stepping into Palayamkunnu Higher Secondary School today marked the beginning of an entirely new chapter in my life — my journey as a teacher trainee. Though I’ve spent years inside classrooms as a student, this time it felt completely different. The moment I walked through the gates of this government school, a mix of excitement and nervousness took over. Everything here felt simple, grounded, and raw  a striking contrast to the structured and polished environment of my CBSE background. At first, I couldn’t help but notice how my short hair and fresh look made me blend in with the students. A few even mistook me for one of them, which made me laugh and eased some of my nervousness. But soon enough, the sense of responsibility took over when I was assigned my first duties  invigilation for the 9th standard and handling their Physical Education period. Walking into the 9th standard classroom for the first time...