Learning gap. Learning incline. Learning disparity. These have become the words much thrown around and feared in the world of education during the past couple of years of pandemic. Yes, the schools have been shut. Yes, the children have needed additional home support for learning. Yes, some children have not been able to be with their teachers online because of the digital divide. Yes, some children have faced sickness and death at home. These are all facts. But these are also incidents that have taught each of us – whether student, parent, educator much beyond what we could have learned about life and life-skills during peace times. No? What do you think?
Check out the African proverb in the thoughts for the day section of this issue. Are we more skilled life-sailors with all the turbulence that we have been subjected to in the past couple of years? What has it taught us about priorities? life? learning? and relationships? we are figuring out as we go along… what works best for us, our family, our team, our organisation. Success is contextual. My idea of my success is different from yours. Like wise one student’s success is different from another and is mostly different from what their parent’s idea of success is. Last couple of years, each one has had same yet different context to deal with. We were in the same storm but on different boats…and we all learned. But differently. It was learning nonetheless and big ones at that. Let us take all the things that we have learned to make a new way forward.
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Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent and original manner possible.” ― Richard Feynmann
“Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors.” — African Proverb
One Video of the Week
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we work for good. Can it also change it for the better? Consultant Patty McCord reviews four key insights employers and employees alike gleaned from their shift to working from home — and shares how companies can use what they learned in lockdown to creatively rethink how we do business.
Dear reader, I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I intend to share what I read, learn and, experience while I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions and, ed-tech organizations. 3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
Who is a great teacher? What do you remember about a teacher you loved? Which kind of teachers are loved by their students? Why are some teachers more successful in getting their subjects across? What can we do as educators and/or parents to teach our students/children what we want them to learn, understand, apply and develop an attitude that will help them in the coming years? Which teachers listen to their students and not just hear? Which teachers let them try? Which teachers learn as they teach?
You might find some answers, some provocations, some ideas in today’s newsletter. Happy New Year to all of you dear readers. Looking forward to continue enjoying sharing my learning journey with each of you in 2022.
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Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.” Albert Einstein
“I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well.” Alexander the Great
One Video of the Week
For the last 24 years, he has repeatedly asked students the same question, “What makes a good teacher great?” Azul Terronez is the author of the best-selling book “The art of Apprenticeship” Azul has coached teachers and schools leaders around the world in Spain, Chile, Canada, India, United States and China and he is currently serves as a teacher coach at Shanghai American School.
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I intend to share what I read, learn and, experience while I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions and, ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
Life long learning. These three words go hand in hand with education as that is one of the core attitudes we want to build in our students/children. For that, we have to role model it ourselves as educators and parents. What are you planning to learn in 2022? Why have you picked what you want to learn? Who do you want to learn with and/or from? When in the day/week you have kept the time out for your own learning? How do you see yourself improved as a result of your learning?
I have enjoyed learning and sharing with you over the years, thanks for coming along my learning journey. If you have not subscribed to my newsletter yet, please go ahead and put in your email id here so that this weekly newsletter reaches your mail box.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” ― Henry Ford
“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” ― Albert Einstein
One Video of the Week
Wofford College president Bernie Dunlap tells the story of Sandor Teszler, a Hungarian Holocaust survivor who taught him about passionate living and lifelong learning.
Bernie Dunlap is a true polymath, whose talents span poetry, opera, ballet, literature and administration. He is the president of South Carolina’s Wofford College.
Bernie Dunlap was a dancer for four years with the Columbia City Ballet, kicking off a life of artistic and cultural exploration. A Rhodes Scholar, he did his PhD in English literature at Harvard, and is now the president of Wofford College, a small liberal arts school in South Carolina. He has taught classes on a wide variety of subjects, from Asian history to creative writing.
He’s also a writer-producer for television, and his 19-part series The Renaissance has been adopted for use by more than 100 colleges. He has been a Senior Fulbright Lecturer in Thailand and a moderator at the Aspen Institute.
And Finally…
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I intend to share what I read, learn and, experience while I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions and, ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
I am packing and sending out little gifts for my friends and family. Some thoughts, some wishes and some blessings too. I hope that 2022 will be better than 2021 for each of us. If you are still wondering what your gift should be for your friends, family or yourself, check out the talk by Dr. Jennifer Rothschild in today’s issue.
Dec-Jan are quite characteristic months. We bring to a close the year gone by, carry some hopes to the next and make new wishes, some set goals and some make resolves. All within a span of next couple of weeks. What are your wishes, thoughts, hopes, goals, resolves for 2022? What would you like me to share more of in my newsletter? Waiting to hear from you.
Thanks for coming along in the journey, it makes all my efforts to put it together worthwhile. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please put in your email here and you will get the news letter every week on Tuesdays in your mail box.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home.”
G.K.Chesterton
Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from the store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!
The Grinch, by Dr Seuss
One Video of the Week
Finding the perfect gift is tough. Dr. Jennifer Rothschild, professor of philosophy at the University of Florida, shares her secret to finding the perfect gift. By balancing three crucial elements revealed in her talk, we can all learn to be better gift-givers. Jennifer Rothschild is a philosophy professor at the University of Florida. She specializes in ethics, primarily Aristotle’s ethics of virtue. Her work aims to use philosophy to help us understand what makes actions, people, and whole human lives good or bad. Jennifer has enjoyed using her TEDxUF talk to bring together three of her favorite philosophical topics: gifts, friendship, and the structure of action.
Showcase of the week:
Join us as we dive into the stories and crafts of Christmas. Through an interactive workshop, children aged 7 to 12 will spend an hour finding out little secrets and lesser known stories about some of the traditions related to Christmas and learn to make some delightful Christmas decorations as well!
Children will become familiar with artifacts and objects from MoCA, Goa, that reveal interesting stories about the traditions of Christmas. This joyful hour will end with the participants learning and singing a traditional Christmas carol. Brought to you by Museum of Christian Art and ReReeti Foundation
Age group: 7–12 years Date: 22nd December, 2021 Time: 4-5PM ₹ 150┃Zoom
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I intend to share what I read, learn and, experience while I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions and, ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
Ho! ho! ho! Christmas is here. What are you reading? What are you watching as your countdown to Christmas? Which are your favourite carols? Is Santa able to come to us amidst pandemic and its variants? what happens to the gifts then? What is your notion of gift? Shall we pay it forward this year – in the spirit of Christmas?
Here are some ideas of books to read, movies to re-watch, thoughts for gifts and a talk by a Santa. Enjoy this news letter and subscribe to my newsletter with your email. That would be a great gift to me 🙂 Thanks in advance.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” – Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Theresa
One Video of the Week
A wonderful close-up look at Santa Claus. George takes us through his three decade career as Santa Claus, touching on the real reason he still believes….and it’s not for the gifts under the tree, but the joy and love of the children. A wonderful and beautiful account.
In 1980 George Blythe with his high school sweetheart Patty Ripley and two of their four daughters came to Vero Beach from their home in the Valley Forge area of Pennsylvania. They found a historic Sexton/McKee house on the island, and in 1990, as empty-nesters, moved to an Oak Hammock in the western part of the county. George as he had since his teens continued in Real Estate and the Construction Industry.
An Auctioneer he has raised funds for many of our community organizations. George will give us a glimpse into the happiness of presenting Santa Clause to our community. He has been a busy man, in many a December since 1981, talking with our sons and daughters.
Showcase of the week:
And Finally…
Check out this video and go for some moves yourselves with your students/children at home and post a fun reel for your family and friends.
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I intend to share what I read, learn and, experience while I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions and, ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
Have you ever had a bad day? Can we go through lives without having a bad day? What about good days? We have all had our good and bad days whether a child or an adult or an old person. What is one thing that we can ask another person when we know they are having a bad day? what is it that we can do for ourselves when we are having a bad day? We can work with kindness. It is an emotion. It is also a skill that can be taught in schools. The world needs more of it. What say? Teach yourself to fly when you want to cry. Pandemic fatigue has set in… we need to be safe and we need to carry on. Let us carry on with kindness to ourselves and to all those who we touch and teach.
Please subscribe to my newsletter with your email id here.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” ― Plato
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” ― Anne Frank
One Video of the Week
When we help children to recognize and act from their “higher self, they take pride in their good behavior and encourage others to do the same. Kindness is its own reward, not simply a way of avoiding punishment. In this talk author/singer Barry Lane shows how his songs help transform a rule bound, anti-bully school culture, into a joyful place where students act freely as individuals to create a “Force Field for Good”. Songs and assembly information can be found at http://www.forcefieldforgood.com . Follow @barrylane That amazing troubadour of joy, hope, and song is coming back. He tells me a school without music is a prison not a school. Barry wants us to know music heals, music inspires, music matters. Most of all Barry Lane wants us to know music belongs in our public schools.
Love is Truth. Kindness is freedom. Be kind to be free. In this talk author/singer Barry Lane shows how songs can create a greater degree of self-awareness that helps students and schools move past a compliance model of kindness, to one where students are encouraged to act from a place of intrinsic nobility. When we help children to recognize and act from their “higher self”, they take pride in their behavior and encourage others to do the same. Together we weave a Force Field for Good.
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I intend to share what I read, learn and, experience while I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions and, ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
Our students need to be equipped with the knowledge and thinking ability for finding real world solutions to real world problems. STEAM – Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics. This integrated approach is the way to go starting with school education in the earliest years. Here are some tips for educators especially in Mya Țărmure’s talk.
Would love to hear how you have integrated it in your curriculum and teaching. Please subscribe to my weekly newsletter with you email id here.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
” I have no hesitation in saying we need to add the letter A… an education devoid of arts… is empty, half-brain kind of education.” Howard Gardner. Harvard University education professor.
“I’m enough of an artist to draw freely on my imagination, which I think is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Albert Einstein.
One Video of the Week
Mya Țărmure started her talk by sharing a story from her childhood, when she wanted to sue her math teacher. That experience made her want to change education. Even though, nowadays, we have tablets and white boards in classes, kids are still taught as if they are all the same, as if they learn in the same way. We still believe science is just for boys, girls should go to ballet and piano classes. It’s all about the mindset and the education we give to our kids.
How can we better prepare them for the future? By offering an education that helps kids become independent, ready to find solutions for any challenge they might encounter. Her mission and passion is to prepare children for the future. She helps them step outside of their comfort zone through technology, robotics and programming classes. Her goal is to engage children in all kind of interconnected hands-on activities, based on STEAM methodology.
Before discovering her true meaning in life, she has been working in the digital environment for 8 years, managing products and communication campaigns for Fortune 500 companies.
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I intend to share what I read, learn and, experience while I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions and, ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
Exam stress. All of us have gone through growing up in various degrees. Some of us found it debilitating while some of us coped and some is us used it to perform better than the rest of the time. Tests are a part of student life. Stress that makes our children and students lesser than themselves during tests is so avoidable. As parents and educators, we can support them by giving them some skills for our this generation of life long learners. Here are some ideas, hope they help in the ongoing and ensuing board exams. Let me know if you found more methods and don’t miss the 8th grader Ayase’s talk and his tips on managing test anxiety.
Please subscribe to this newsletter by entering your email id here. It is free and will take you along my learning journey every week.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“My advice is, never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.” – Charles Dickens ‘David Copperfield’
“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill
One Video of the Week
Ayase constantly feels pressured by school grades and exams. She wants to share her tips and strategies on how to take tests well. Ayase constantly feels pressured by school grades and exams, she wants to share her tips and strategies on how to take tests well.
And Finally….
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I intend to share what I read, learn and, experience while I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions and, ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
School closed. School reopen. These two words have carried deep impact on families and communities of every state and every country around the world in the last couple of years while living through the pandemic.
From my perspective, as a teacher, as a school administrator, as a school advisor across a range of schools and higher education institutions and ed-tech companies – it has been one uncertain time period. My north star during this period – of how to walk with my fellow educators and shine the light on the best possible path for them has been the stake holders themselves. Revise, Pivot and “Maslow.” The levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs were to be achieved ground up first. Physiological needs, Safety needs, Love and belonging, then the esteem, cognitive needs and self actualisation can be fulfilled.
How have you gone about giving voice to your students, teachers, families to find solutions that will light our way through the pandemic into post pandemic era for education?What has been your blue print through this un-chartered territory? Share with me and subscribe to this newsletter with your email id here.
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. The best is yet to come.” Zig Ziglar
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius
One Video of the Week
Schools had a unique position during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Diane Wolf describes her journey as an Assistant Superintendent leading during this time and gives hope to what schools have learned.
From basic needs to emotional supports; school leaders, teachers and staff put kids first! Dr. Diane Wolf has lead schools for the last few decades with hope and clarity. Her passion for teaching and learning is evident in her daily work and she believes schools are the foundation for a community.
Known for her candor and positivity, Diane gives hope to what can be while realistic about what is now.
Showcase of the week:
Engaging Children with Museum Objects.
Through an interactive and engaging session, educators and museum professionals will learn about the different approaches to connecting the museum objects to people.
The approaches will cater to different age groups, and will have corresponding hands-on activities. Creating educational pathways, making education more accessible through the museums collection is the key to successful education programming.
We will together explore ways how one object can be interpreted in many ways to tell stories, learn values, morals and can be a part of multiple disciplines.
Date: Friday, 19th November; Time: 3.30-5.30pm On Zoom
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I intend to share what I read, learn and, experience while I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions and, ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
November evokes some strange emotions. Parts of the world have day light saving times and there are glimpses of approaching winter with days becoming shorter. Dushehra-Diwali the big two festivals are over in India and the students are preparing for their pre-boards or half yearlies. There is anticipation of Christmas and New Year but not just yet… Autumn leaves, last of them are lost from the deciduous trees. We prepare for winter months. We reflect and enjoy the year gone by with some fun challenges, some interesting quotes, some mellow moments. This year, schools have opened post pandemic and the conflicting emotions of stress at many levels along side the relief of getting children back to school post pandemic is palpable. Take some time dear educators, parents and students for whom I create this newsletter every week, enjoy reading and subscribe with your email id here. Hello November!
Three Images of the Week
Two Thoughts of the Week
“Fear not November’s challenge bold— We’ve books and friends, And hearths that never can grow cold: These make amends!” — Alexander Louis Fraser, “November”
“This is the month of nuts and nutty thoughts — that November whose name sounds so bleak and cheerless — perhaps its harvest of thought is worth more than all the other crops of the year.” — Henry David Thoreau
One Video of the Week
Bojan and Brogan have figured out the way to motivate people of all ages and athletic backgrounds to wake up early, train their butts off, and meet new friends, all for a very affordable price of a hug or a high-five. This talk will give you an insight into the fastest growing fitness phenomenon and how it’s changing the notion that staying in shape should cost money.
Bojan (pronounced Boyan) Mandaric, born and raised in Serbia, made his way across the pond in 2002 after being recruited to row for Northeastern University Men’s Crew Team. After winning accolades at the national and international level, Bojan decided to turn his interests to running and cycling. Living in Allston, MA with his wife and a 100lb German Shepard, he promotes FREE fitness and off-line human interactions across North America and soon the world. His shaved head and Eastern European look can sometimes project a scary or arrogant personality, but that misconception is gone when he delivers a massive bear hug. Brogan Graham, brought up by hippy parents and raised FREE-range in Madison, Wisconsin. This basket-balling trash-talker jumped into D1 boat racing with Bojan at Northeastern University and BOOOOOOM! he became a racing athlete and city-boy all in the same oneway ticket to Boston, Massachusetts.
A world traveler and a promoter of friendly vibes, “BG” is known to be the louder of the two leaders of the November Project. You can plan on seeing this community driven personality building new tribes and new athletes while inspiring racers who are looking for something new. Prepare to hear the F-word a few times and know that this man is a hugger, not a shaker.
And Finally…
Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I intend to share what I read, learn and, experience while I engage with students, parents, and teams of teachers across K-12 schools, higher education institutions and, ed-tech organizations.
3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter for you to subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.
Nivedita Mukerjee 