Ahlcon International School’s initiatives in empowering teachers resulted in all-round development and career growth
Ahlcon International School (AIS) supported teachers and facilitated training to enhance their professional standard and pedagogical skills by organising workshops. The school also closely evaluated their performance and gave them feedback so that they could introspect and improve. The school has a transient process for promotion of teachers from primary section to middle to senior section.
From 2003 to 2013, 12 teachers were assigned senior leadership roles as section heads, academic coordinators, HODs and moved vertically within the organisation. AIS constituted an in-house teacher development programme- In-Service Education and Training (INSET). AIS tied up with many national & international organisations for this programme and conducted training for its teachers. AIS partnered with Microsoft and came up with training modules for various tools.
AIS facilitated for certification for its staff from Centre for Teachers Accreditation (CENTA). Experienced teachers were encouraged to take up programmes initiated by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Designing and customising the class wise curriculum for its students in compliance with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) that focus more on thematic chapters rather than subjective knowledge paid dividends.
It emphasized on building textbooks that are more vibrant, lively and interactive so that children can have the integrated knowledge and understanding of the concept.
Digital technology was penetrating fast in the education space and making teacher’s tech savvy was paramount to accelerate quality education in classrooms. In 2005, the school in association with Microsoft, a technology provider designed various training modules for teachers free of cost.
By March 2019, almost all AIS teachers successfully earned Microsoft credentials, becoming a Microsoft Showcase School. It also encouraged its teachers to complete the Centre for Teacher Accreditation (CENTA) certification. Twenty AIS teachers also completed the distinguished Global Career Counselling programme of University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and more over schools played a crucial role in negotiating the course fees and waived off the topper’s fee.
Schools established various awards like ‘Best Class Teacher award’, ‘Best Co-Scholastic Teacher award’, ‘Rising Star award’, ‘You are Noticed award’ to honour as many teachers as possible for their commendable work. He also focused on teachers’ ‘inner growth’ by encouraging them to read and write in journals, as this practice helped them improve their public speaking and communication skills. Many AIS educators represented the school at the international forums as well.
School organised meetings with section heads, staff and academic coordinators to share knowledge, experiences and best practices to implement innovation practices in the school. The school invested earnestly in grooming a new teacher by helping her in lesson planning, classroom management & student notebook correction. Teachers were also encouraged to venture on social media platforms and the schools believe that its teachers should be well versed in every aspect of communication, allowing them to learn and grow. For the professional development of teachers, the schools earmarked 3-5% share of school earnings for teacher training.
The school aims to transform and strengthen its teacher’s wing not only in the administrative sphere but also improve and make them pedagogical leaders.
The case study is based on massive data collection, evidence gathering, and personal interviews with the stakeholders.
