3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms Niv

Issue #266, 12th August 2025

Anticipating a difficult conversation?

The most common pitfalls include teachers getting caught up in power dynamics. Parents often react emotionally. Students approach conversations reactively rather than strategically. Here is a question for you to ask yourself that is likely to help you engage more meaningfully.

For Teachers: “Am I approaching this conversation with the goal of understanding and solving the problem together, or am I primarily focused on being right or asserting my authority?” This helps teachers check whether they’re in a collaborative mindset that will lead to productive outcomes.

For Parents: “Can I stay calm and curious if my child says something that surprises, disappoints, or upsets me?” This question helps parents assess their emotional readiness to truly listen rather than react defensively or with immediate judgment.

For Students: “Do I know specifically what I want to achieve from this conversation, and can I explain my perspective without blaming others?” This helps students focus on constructive communication rather than just venting frustration, making it more likely the conversation will lead to positive change.

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Three Images of the Week

Two Thoughts of the Week

“The single most important thing [you can do] is to shift [your] internal stance from “I understand” to “Help me understand.” Everything else follows from that. . . .

Remind yourself that if you think you already understand how someone feels or what they are trying to say, it is a delusion. Remember a time when you were sure you were right and then discovered one little fact that changed everything. There is always more to learn.”
― Douglas Stone, Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most

The stronger person is not the one making the most noise but the one who can quietly direct the conversation toward defining and solving problems. — Aaron T. Beck

One Video of the Week

What stops you from speaking up when it matters most? Healthcare leader Sarah Crawford-Bohl offers a practical, compassionate framework to have difficult conversations with clarity and heart — and shows how it can lead to stronger teams and real impact.

Reading with Ms. Meenu: Tip of the week

How to Nurture Reading : Their Age and Stage

In today’s article let’s explore the road to reading from a child’s perspective, from infancy through early elementary school. The best instructors are always attuned to what the student sees and understands, so that they can patiently guide them toward greater skill and knowledge.

We all know that babies cannot read. It’s not even something parents or guardians should aspire to, let alone try to teach, despite the bogus claims of some products and the wishful thinking of the parents who buy them. The path to reading unfolds over the course of years, not months and trying to shortcut the process can misdirect you from providing the critical early support and guidance that are shown to predict later reading achievement and school success. 

Reading is making sense of print at a glance. It’s accessing the sound of words from letters and grasping words meaning to – the people, places, things and concepts they are meant to represent. There’s no evidence that babies can do that. At ALL. The parent’s job in the beginning is not to teach reading but to nurture its long-term development through active attention, book sharing and caring conversation. Think of these as your own ABCs. Do them thoughtfully and consistently from the start, you will create a rich early-language environment in which your child’s reading can bloom. No flash cards, computer screens or baby curriculum required. Just your thoughtful and meaningful conversations!

Happy reading!

Meenu Gera, Consulting home and school librarian reading guide.

Career assessment, guidance, and placement strategies:

ENGINEERING HUB

Do you know?

5 Reasons for Germany being referred to as the Engineering capital of the world:

1. World-class engineering expertise
2. Home to top engineering global brands like BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche, Siemens, Bosch, and more
3. Excellence in education and R&D: Germany’s dual education system is structured to create a highly skilled engineering workforce
4. ‘Made in Germany’ – a hallmark of technical reliability, precision, and quality worldwide
5. Leadership in Industrial Technology

Other strong engineering nations are the USA, Japan, China, and South Korea. 

Top universities in Germany to study engineering:

1. Technical University of Munich, Germany
2. RWTH Aachen, Germany
3. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
4. Technical University of Berlin, Germany
5. TU Dresden, Germany

Top universities globally to study engineering:

1. Harvard University, USA
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
3. Stanford University, USA
4. University of California, Berkeley, USA
5. California Institute of Technology, USA
6. Princeton University, USA
7. University of Oxford, UK
8. University of Cambridge, UK
9. University of Waterloo, Canada
10. University of Toronto, Canada
11. National University of Singapore

Top universities in India to study engineering:

1. IITs
2. NIT Trichy
3. VIT Vellore
4. IISc Bangalore (top research-driven STEM university)
5. BITS Pilani
6. Delhi Technological University
7. Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology
8. Jamia Millia Islamia

Plaksha University, Mohali, is a new-age, pioneering institution offering BTech programs in four core areas, designed to develop engineering minds equipped with entrepreneurial skills. 

Fermata Career Solutions inspires young individuals aged 13 to 30 to unlock their potential through focused and customised career and college counseling. With expertise in University Readiness, CareerGym, and Master Parenting, the experts empower you to pursue your dreams and shape your future with confidence. More about us on www.fermata.com

Dear reader,
I work with the school leadership team as an advisor and collaborate with teachers as a pedagogical trainer. I also help parents as a parenting counselor and regularly engage one-on-one with students as a personal guide and mentor. This weekly newsletter shares what I read, learn, and experience.

3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter you can subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.