The Progressive Teacher Vol 04 Issue 03

Principal Q&A
Principal AGNES RITA SEBASTIAN
SMB Matric Higher Secondary School
Birthday : 08 th April
Place of Birth : Chennai
Hometown : Dindigul
How did you feel on the first
day being School Principal/
Leader:
As an aspirant in my field I always
looked forward to accomplish
my dream: ‘A leader to shape the
future generation of the world’. I
accepted my position as Principal
after a decade of service as a vice
principal in the same school. I felt
I was the person responsible to
prove the truth of the old adage
‘children are the most important
assets of a nation’. I could shape
them into responsible citizens of
the world. So I started focusing
on the holistic development of
children in all their classroom
ventures.
The best thing about being a
Teacher-Leader:
The best thing about being a
teacher – leader is the ability
to develop leadership qualities
outside the classroom atmosphere;
promotion of the talents and
potential of teachers, students and
to a greater extent parents toward
achieving common educational
aims. Being leaders in our field
directly impacts leadership roles.
This leadership gives complete
freedom for decision making
pertaining to the school organ.
What are the traits of an
effective Principal:
The traits of an effective Principal
are the possession of high energy
level with an undeterred aim to
accomplish ones goals. One must
be assertive and have emotional
stability. One must be precise in
social interactions. One must have
a strong sense of ethics towards
work to build integrity in the
organization. One must also be
very careful with making decisions
or determining specific actions.
To be able to place yourself in the
other person’s shoes, I would say
is the best trait of an effective
principal.
Please describe the role you
feel parents should play in the
operation of the school :
Parents nowadays refrain from
involvement in schooling. This is an
important issue that results in the
absence of good education for their
children which begins way ahead at
home. My school motto is: Parent
is the first teacher, teacher is the
second parent. Parents should
be committed towards shaping
their own children and participate
in their children’s schooling. At
home parents should provide the
basic care and guidance with love
towards the upbringing of their
children. They must be abreast of
all the information pertaining to
the education provided to their
children by the school.
When you visit a classroom,
what are the first things you
look for as signs that the
classroom is an effective
learning place:
The strategies, I would say, that
determine the classroom as a
place of effective learning are the
explanations given by the teachers
to help the students imbibe the
topic. This involves knowing what
the students understand and then
forging connections between what
is prescribed and what is new. The
interaction of students with their
teacher proves the compatibility
of the learning atmosphere of the
classroom as a whole.
What is your vision
of Special Education:
Special education is education that
has to be imparted to children
with special needs. It deals with
the preparation of those children
to participate and pursue their
learning towards a productive
and meaningful life in the society.
Special education must also
strive in helping students to be
self sufficient and self-supporting.
Special education must be tailored
to the needs of the children.
What is your view on e-learning:
Today’s fast developing nation has
based its learning on computers.
e-learning gives a child various
options that result in exploring
the unknown and within minutes
can facilitate easy learning of
concepts. e-learning saves time and
money and brings to their desktop
effective learning materials that
boost their interest.
How to make inclusion
a Reality:
Being a committed person to lead
forth an institution that bears
fruit for the nation, I am open to
inclusion which is a key part of the
development of learning around
the world. We can move forward
and work with children, parents
and staff who play a major role
in shaping the policy that is laid
forth. Any kind of inclusion that
contributes to the betterment
of the school must be made a
reality. This kind of inclusion will
contribute a great deal towards
the growth of the children.
The most touching things that
School Children have done for
you:
Many issues have made me feel
proud about my children. The place
Students of SMB Matric Higher Secondary School indulging in extra curricular activities
that a teacher occupies in a child’s
heart can never be compensated
with the monetary satisfaction.
Sundar, a 16 year old boy, fights all
odds in the family and perseveres
because I have helped him in his
academics. When the laurels he
attained garlanded him, he leaves
his family behind and surrenders
them to me who he says is more
than his mother - what else can be
more touching than this.
‘Children may forget what teachers
have said but they will never forget
how you make them feel’.
Best conference/seminar that
you have attended:
World – Class School & PRIDE
Personal Responsibility in
Delivering Excellence organised
by Confluence Training &
Development. It was one of the
best workshops I have attended.
Your favourite Book:
My favourite
book is Who
Moved My
Cheese by
Spencer
Johnson, an
amazing way
to deal with
change in your
life and work. It is a book every
leader must possess and read.
What are the major qualities
you seek in a new teacher:
Dedication to their relationship
with children of today. A teacher
must be accountable and
compassionate. In today’s
world we need teachers who
are selfless.
One piece of advice that you
want to give to new teachers:
I would advise the new teachers
to aspire to be teachers first and
foremost. They must have the
ability to empower their students
and help them imbibe values
from education. They must be
able to pursue their own interest
and incorporate strategies that
are challenging in today’s world.
Teachers must consider work as
worship. Great teachers must have
a living mission. It is true that only
a great teacher inspires.
62 The Progressive Teacher Jul/Aug 2017