TEJAS Year 1

         I am Ashok Chavan, (SARP,DIECPD,Nashik)

Now I am working in District Institute of Educational Continuous Professional Development Nashik.It was formerly known as DIET NASHIK. I work here as an English teacher educator or as SARP since 2016 on deputation. Before I was working as a primary school teacher in Z p school khed Tal.Igatpuri (Nashik) since 2013 before getting selected as State academic resource person.

      I have a great passion to work with British council, as I had worked master trainer in ELIPS (English Language  Initiative for Primary Schools) in 2012/13. I got to know the advanced techniques of teaching English in ELIPS program.

It completely changed my attitude as a teacher. 

   I learnt different things in ELIPS 1 :

1. How to manage the class by using different ways of teaching.
2. The use of warmers, pictures, storytelling techniques, using songs to create fun
3. Use of ICQs, grouping, pairing
4. VAK (visual, auditory and kinaesthetic)-3 learning styles
5. Using puppets

 ELIPS program got huge success to create a positive atmosphere in English language teaching in primary schools throughout Maharashtra. Teachers were teaching traditionally with rote learning method.  But after ELIPS teachers' attitude changed.

  Now,Government of Maharashtra,Tata trusts and British Council have launched an innovative program ELIPS 2 in 9 districts in 2016.This program is generally known as Tejas... Technology enabled education through joint Action and Strategic initiatives.

I was looking forward to working with British Council after ELIPS 1. And luckily I have been selected as SARP.

We all Sarps had to undergo through rigorous process including interview, group task and written task.

We 30 persons throughout Maharashtra have been selected as SARPs by British Council.

  The main goals of Tejas innovative program :

•  build the capacity of  the state Institute of English (SIE) , Aurangabad.
• strengthen the core team of sarps through face2face training and CIPELT/CISELT online course
• Setting TAGs (Teacher activity groups )in 9 districts at cluster levels
• develop social media management skills
•  improve teachers' professional understanding and practice 
• empower teachers in practising English  through TAG meetings 
•  improve the quality of students in ELT

 As per MOU (Memorandum of Understanding ) There will be 750 TAGs which will meet once a month and tags will be supported and facilitated by 250TAG Coordinators throughout 9 districts.(Nashik, Nandurbar, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Amaravati, Yavatmal and Gadchiroli).  We all the SARPS attended throughout year one 3 blocks of Face to face training.We were trained by Dena mam and Purnima Awasthi. Dena mam has a very energetic and dynamic personality. She conducted 2 Blocks of training while Purnima took a training of 5 days. Radhika mam,John sir guided and supported whenever we needed them. Both are working as helping hands not only for SARPs but for all the Tag cs ,too. They are doing this through social media by forming a PLN through Twitter , whats app and Facebook. Radhika mam and John sir are the real experts in information and technology. 

  We got the deep idea about this project in the first block training of 10 days conducted at Aurangabad in september 16. Learning is a journey. This concept motivated me more than before.

I came to know my roles as a SARP.

1. Planning and delivering training
2. Supporting and mentoring teachers and Tag coordinators
3. Monitoring ,evaluation and report writing 
4. Social media management
5. Materials development 

I decided to know my goals very well and to achieve success in these areas I must work very hard.

   Being a state academic recourse person is a challenging task. He should be well equipped with many abilities and qualities. He should be well organised having sound knowledge of ICT skills.He must  possess the ability to speak in English fluently and accurately. He should have presentational skills. As he has to come up with a mind to talk with higher authorities of District Education. To convince them is a real task. Because they have their own egoistic nature. When I started to work as SARP,I faced a lot of problems, but I could solve many problems successfully. In training programs, I could not participate so enthusiastically at first. I had lack of confidence to speak or  participate. But soon I overcame this problem by joining in group discussions. Working in groups is motivational and encouraging for me and my colleagues. To speak with Dena mam and other faculties of BC was also difficult. I could not do it so confidently. And when John started to speak something. I got so nervous that I couldn't get anything. As his pronunciation was so silent and not so clear as we Indians speak. 

   Fortunately, by the end of year one of TEJAS, I overcome these problems. This happened due to organising focus group of sarps by Radhika,Urvi And John again and again. They talked to us a lot of time personally or in group or organising zoom meetings or by communicating with us through phone calls. Thus they removed my fear to communicate with them. I would like to thank to Urvi mam. She gave me lots of responsibilities and opportunities to work in Nashik district. She helped me through phone calls continuously.Her nature is really helpful and encouraging to me so that I could work confidently throughout the year. That's why I really helped many tag cs from my Nashik district and across. Even I got phone calls from other tag cs. They shared their problems with me and solved them as per my ability. I never discouraged any Tag c.

 " You are not my TAG C and you should talk to your SARP or I am not your SARP. Or this is not my district,I can't help you"  I never thought in this manner with talking with Tag cs . So I gained good belief from many tag cs. Even when I had been allocated 5 tag cs from Nagpur, I was not demotivated. I quickly formed whats app group and started sharing my ideas with them. I helped them through phone calls. So I could support Pratibha Gohane, Kirti Palatkar, Dnyaneshwar Gurukar, Ramakant and Omkar Patil. We were so attached that I went in Nagpur to meet them individually. 

 I encouraged them to conduct Tag meetings on time. I encouraged them to reflect on by sending emails. I motivated them to develop the skills of using email ,whats app and reflecting on social media. Sending reports was a real challenge for them, but they learnt to fill google report and tag details. At the beginning they were sending all the reports to me regularly. Lack of administrative support from KPs and officials, Tag cs have to do all the work themselves. It was really irritating to them. They shared their challenges  with me. But I told them ,"You are the real pioneers, you can do this with your own efforts and without the help of your officials. You manage yourself and this will make you stronger. " The words of motivation and praising through personal touch and by written form, it works very well. 

  It has been organised many review meetings at Aurangabad . Many sarps posted or shared their challenges. All the things were real ,but I hardly talk about any problems. I just found ways through challenges. 

 CIPELT - Certificate in primary English Language teaching . This online course was offered by BC.  It has to be completed online and it was moderated by Teodera Naeba from Romania. It was also nice experience to complete this course. I felt very hard to access it at the beginning but after a lot of practice, it boosted my confidence.And I completed this course on time. I got many new things from this course.  I also joined a few online courses on future learning . But I could not complete them due to workload.

 Deputation was a big challenge for me. 

 I was working in ZP school khed, Tal -Igatpuri. Fortunately my Headmaster was very good person by nature and after getting an order from Director , Hon. Govind Nandede saheb , he relieved me immediately. But it was a wrong process. I should have been relieved by CEO and then EO and BDO and BEO...But I got relieved only by the order of Headmaster. All the villagers came to school and they went to Panchayat samity. They argued with BDO and BEO . And  Our BEO said ," I have not relieved anyone. It is HM. of Khed who did that illegal work." So BDO threatened to stop the salary of mine and sent show cause notice to My HM. All the villagers went to MLA and Sabhapati and Also they approached Member of parliament. Everyone got angry over my HM Mr Bhangare sir. He annoyed me. It was natural. I was terribly frightened to join the DIET without proper channel.  

But everything sorted out successfully. My BEO put the file before BDO with necessary documents . He got signed it and gave charge of my class to my colleague Mr. Babasaheb Kale. I truly say thanks to him. He looked after my class for 2 months.( Later I convinced Babasaheb Kale to fill link of TAG c and he did and got selected as TAG C.Now he is working as Tag coordinator in Khed cluster and nearby 2 clusters after having so much chaos in the village). My BEO Mr. Shivaji Aher also pacified people by sending 1 teacher at my school.

 After the elections of zilla parishad and panchayat samiti none came to school to inquire  about HM or me or children

 Only one parent Mehboob Maniyar telephoned me," Irfan(my student in grade 2) has not attended school since you went. He is  insisting that he will come to school only when Chavan sir will come to school." So I talked to him on a regular basis and encouraged him to attend the classes. 

I can still imagine my school days as a teacher . 

DIET/DIECPD support 

I joined the DIET (District Institute Of Education And Training) Nashik on 20th Sep 2016. I had a dream to work in a diet as Lecturer. And it came into  existence not as lecturer but as SARP/subject expert. Thanks to british Council and SCERT for giving this opportunity. I received great support from principal -Hon.D.D.Suryawanshi sir. He has been helping me since I came to DIET. He availed me computer, internet and later laptop also. He also helped me to allocate tags to TAG Coordinators in Nashik District. Whenever there arose the administrative problems he solved immediately. He gave me a lot of freedom to work as SARP . He never gave me tasks other than TEJAS. Other faculties like Y. R. Sonawane (SR.Lec) also supported me for organising meetings and helping tag cs. Mr. Bhangare sir and I managed TAG Cs 3days training . It gave me experience of how to manage training program thoroughly.

" If we respect others ,everyone respects you.Give respect and you will be respected as well as being helped by others." This technique worked very well in case of me. So I never found any problems from DIET. I behave with every person in the diet with good attitude. So everyone helps me.

 But still I have learnt many things from the staff. I learnt from Gopi Bhoi (Steno) how to write letters to higher authorities. He made me strong in writing administrative letters.It helped me more while giving letters to relieve the TAG cs ,preparing draft of Tejas in marathi ,supporting tag cs of Nashik and planning a visit of Simon Borg.

" No one makes you strong until your efforts are stronger ."

TAG -Teacher Activity Group

Teacher activity group is a new concept . It's different from cascade model. Primary teachers from cluster will meet together once in a month on saturday. They will practise english, discuss english with the help of recourse book provided by British Council. But to facilitate tags ,it needs aTAG coordinator. 

He should be fluent in english and must be teacher. He or she has to undergo an interview ,group task and written task conducted by British Council.

 TAGs are formed in 9 districts. (Nashik, Nandurbar,Nagpur,Aurangabad,Beed, Gadchiroli ,Hingoli,Amravati and Yavatmal) . This is a 3 year teacher development program that aims to improve the quality of teachers in English language teaching in primary schools in Maharashtra.

 As per mou 750 tags will be rolled out by 250 TAG Cs. And each tag c has to roll out 3 tags.Our Nashik district has been given 50 TAG Cs to run 150 TAGs.

Encouraging teachers especially women teachers to become  TAG Cs :

Nashik has been allocated 150 tags to be run by 50 Tag cs. When I joined DIET ,there were only 26 Tag coordinators who were selected by BC. They could only roll out 76 tags in their clusters and nearby. The first tag meeting started on 3rd Dec 2016. 

 I encouraged many Teachers from sep 16 until dec 16 and onwards too. State Institute of English (SIE),Aurangabad had launched Spoken English program during Oct-Nov16. The teachers who demanded online training as per the new rule/GR of PSM     (Pragat Shaikshanik Maharashtra) ,they were offered this spoken english training. 353 teachers demanded this english training in Nashik. I helped Mr.Yogesh Sonawane sir (Sr.Lec) to plan and organise this training in Nashik district. Some KRPs( Key Resource Persons) were trained by SIE to conduct this program. 

 I also worked as KRP. But my focus was only to find out good tag coordinators. I took some sessions in Nashik ,Niphad, which had  more than 200 teacher trainees from different Blocks. I prepared an introductory PPT on TEJAS with the help of ppt which was already made by Dr.Ujjwal Karwande sir. I showed the  ppt to trainees and also told about the program. I requested many teachers to fill the link of Tag Cs.

After identifying fluent and active teachers in the training , I personally insisted them to fill the link. As result of it , Sheshrao Khairnar, Namdev Kachare , vikram Jagdale , Sandip Mahajan, Navnath Survade ,Sandip Pawade ,Babasaheb Kale ...these persons were selected as TAG Cs.

  I was conducting a workshop in a class at Niphad where many female teachers were presented . Most of them felt shy to participate in activities.  But they have the potential to speak in English.I removed their fear and boosted their confidence. I used praising and appreciating techniques.

I also used following activities:

 use of warmers, onion ring activities, grouping and pairing, back to back game, back to the board standing in ascending and descending order as per age, date of birth etc, ladder race running dictation, hot seat game,use of ppts with projector, chineese whisper,fire in the mountain, showing motivational videos,etc.

After a lot of practice speaking and reflecting ,I got success to get the participation of female teachers .  I found many gems in women. Pratiksha Gaikawad is one of them. She has an excellent caliber, good fluency and accuracy. I motivated her to present in front of teachers. She started to present in Fluent English without fear. Rekha Gadakh is also participated and presented herself before teachers.

I gave each teacher an opportunity to present for 15 min. As a result many teachers started speaking in english especially female teachers . 

 When Urvi Shah (Senior project manager ,British council,west India) gave me task of having interview of applicants, I specially called these teachers and motivated them to work as TAG coordinators. So Pratiksha, Rekha , Amruta Bhalerao got selected as Tag cs.

Once we had organised a meeting of tag Cs by Alaknada Sanap ( Project Manager of Tata trusts) working for TEJAS . She told me to include Ashram school teachers in TAGs and also motivate them to be tag cs.   So keeping this message in mind I included or encouraged many Tag Cs from Ashram schools. 

Now Jyoti patil, Amruta Bhalerao and Pritee Pagar are working as Tag Cs from Ashram Schools.

Many tag cs-Deepak Bhaskar, Namdev Kachare, Yogesh Agale are from Ashram school department and all are working confidently.

 Now I will like to add reflection of some women tag cs ....

"Hello,

                 I am Pratiksha Kacharu Gaikwad from Z.P.School Dikshi,Tal- Niphad ,Dist-Nasik. I am Tag coordinator of three tags i.e. NAS115,NAS116 and NAS117. At first I would like to share many things about my journey to become tag coordinator.I have attended many training programs but  in that SPOKEN ENGLISH TRAINING PROGRAMME was the bestest .Because through that training I got the golden opportunity to become a tag coordinator.Mr.Ashok Chavhan sir was the KRP of that training. He is working as SARP for TEJAS Project.At first I was not sure that I can become a good tag coordinator but after conversation with Mr Ashok Chavhan sir  motivated me to become a Tag coordinator.A lot of thanks to him because of him I am now working as tag-c.This participation in Tejas Project helps me to develop my professional development so I give a big thanks to Mr.Ashok Chavhan sir,My Husband and My family who supported me and encourages me to become a part of this Tejas Project.

                   About TAG I wanted to say that before conducting tag I was not so much sure that I can rolled out it successfully or not but after taking three successful tags my confidence level is so high that I can encouraged my colleges as much as possible.While conducting tags as a woman facilitator I faces many challenges but I overcome  from it very nicely. While conducting tags some teachers hesitated to participated in front of all but I encouraged them and tried to increase their confidence by praising them.So that they can work very well.When they give a good feedback on whats app about the tag meeting I feel very happy because they said that they enjoyed it a lot .That's why many other teachers are wanted to become a tag members but due to school administration problems they cant do it. If I found any queries about conducting tags our SARP officers i.e. Mr. Ashok Chavhan Sir and Mr. Raju Korde Sir helps me a lot.They both encourage me by giving feedback and solving my problems.They continuously connected with us by mailing,calling and messaging with us.

                    Really this oppourtunity is the best to stay connected with other teachers.Lastly  I would like to say a big thanks to Tejas Project, British Council and Maharashtra government for giving me this golden chance.

   

Thanks and Regards.                                                                                   Pratiksha Gaikwad 

                                                                                                                                                                 “Hello I am Jyoti D.Patil

TAG-c U am working in govt.Ashramschool Devargaon Nashik,I work as TAG C Nas-109,110,111.

I am feeling so glad and proud myself for being a English Language facilitator.My family encouraged me for this going specially my husband and Resp.Ashok Chavan sir always help me for doing this kind of best work. He increased my confidence and guided me every time whenever I needed.

I completed my qualifications in English since std. 11th to M.ed. but I hesitated of using English in front of people. But Ashok chavhan sir and my husband both increased my confidence. Today can talk more confidentiality in front of other than previous.

In the very 1st TAG I felt afraid because I thought that weather teachers will listen me or not?because as a lady trainer. Many questions arose in my mind weather I can or not? In my all 3 tags there are male teachers no.s are more than female teachers. so I had questions weather they will listen me or not? But I had great experienced.All teachers supported me and taken active part during tag.Mr.Ganpati sir given many tricks to us i used those while facilitating and got experience.

Even there are many challenges for lady tag c.In the very beginning of tag all teachers staired me as a strange. Because they had doubt in their mind weather  I can conduct my tag for 3 hours in English language. But after finishing that all teachers given great enthusiastic comments about my fluency and use of English and about my confidence. Some male teachers tried to disturb during tag in the very beginning but afterword they came to know the importance of tag and English language. They all attended all activities enthusitically.They posted feedback on whatsapp group.Their nice comments increased my confidence level too much.Some of teachers asked me for English speaking course but I told the it will automatically happen during tag training till 2019.I removed fear from their mind about English language.

This all can happened only because of Resp.SARP Mr.Raju Korde sir and Resp. Ashok chavhan sir.They always encourage me by giving their feedback and they always motivates me.

Thanks to British Council,Tejas and govt.Of Maharashtra. For giving me this great opportunity.

 THANKS “

 Regards

Jyoti PATIL                                              

“My opinion about Tejas Project

    Hello ,myself Rekha Sahebrao Gadakh(Z.P.Pri.school Chandori Boys) . I  worked as Tag-C for NAS112; NAS113 &NAs114.

I am very interested in English language.But having little   tention about Tag-C.But my friends,my staff members ,my family supported to me.i want to say Specially thanks to Mr.Ashok Chavhan sir .because he encouraged me,due to him I am able to increase my confidence.

     At first I was very afraid but after training there is too much confidence.But then also I have a tention because I am a lady and having always a question that Is this possible to me to conduct a tag effectively?can teachers listen to me respectively? Can I able to handle all gents teacher? But when I conducted my first tag its amazing experience for me.I was very happy  because I conducted my tag very effectively.its surprised to me.while conducting Tag I rememberd Arun sir”s expressions ,gestures and some clues and theme ,tips .i also wants to say thanks to Arun Ganpati sir.I find my own qualities due to the Tag.

          Even though there are some limitations because I am a lady.Definatly it’s a chanllangeing work for lady as a tag c . some members think that one lady going to conduct a tag!now it’s a problem of Indian culture.But then also I know I am able to handle all the situation &day by day able to change their  mentality .one more problem is that the lady teachers hesitated to participate in group activity with gents teachers.they has fear of gossiping nothing other .But I encourage them and said them concentrate only on your qualities .our SARP Mr.Raju Korde sir and Mr.Ashok chavhan sir always help to us.they took feedback continuesly and asked about our problems .both they are connected with us via calling ,whats app,mail,zoom ,massages ect.

      Once again thanks to Tejas ,british council and Maharashtra Government because they gave me a great opportunity…”

     Regards

Rekha Gadakh