Dharma class

Dara has been attending Dharma class during our 5 weeks here at Taktse. It is an elective class for students which teaches the traditions, prayers and fundamentals of Buddhism. Dara has been working on a circle of life replica which represents the six stages of un-enlightenment.  Here is a link to a video on the Dharma class.

Gumption, Grit and Goals

I may only have two days left at Taktse, but not a moment is being wasted!  Here is the title slide of my presentation to the 9-12th grade students this afternoon. We will do a self-assessment exercise, learn about the most recent neuropsychological research on the adolescent brain and discuss the most beneficial study strategies.

We will miss the dining hall

We even bought some stainless steel plates so we could remember all our fun meals there. Some of the teachers thought we were crazy!

Fun in the dining hall

Breakfast with Tang

Ms. Subani, Ethan's 5th grade teacher on the right

The lunch line

Kindergarteners eating lunch

Sonam and Jigme

A giant veg momo and tea for breakfast

Rice and dhal and potatoes, a typical lunch

Executive Functioning

On Friday night we had a lively workshop on executive functioning for select members of the faculty. I taught about recent advances in neuropsychological research on the adolescent brain, we did a self-inventory of our strengths and weaknesses in executive functioning skills and then the group brainstormed solutions for a case study of a 7th grade student with attention and writing problems.

The school culture here is unique because the faculty are truly invested in advancing their knowledge base and eager to be part of any type of professional development. Reflection writings after workshops and assemblies are standard here.  Hands on activities and active problem solving by talking with colleagues is expected.  This is probably the single factor that has most impressed me.  This commitment to learning also encourages risk taking. I have felt this first hand in my approach to presenting to staff and giving feedback about behavior management. I feel a part of this school now, which is really astounding to me given I have only been here for 5 weeks.

The principal was excited with the feedback he received and asked me to present to upper school students (9th-13th grade) on Tuesday and parents on Wednesday.  I expect the student presentation to be free flowing with lots of questions.  The parent presentation will be interesting because there isn't really a cultural expectation that parents collaborate with teachers, come to teachers with problems or participate very much in their child's education.  The very idea of a parent workshop like this is exceptional in India.  Taktse is forging ahead with bringing parents in and creating a collaborative dynamic.

Staff completing self-assessments of executive functioning skills. 

In my new kurti (traditional Indian wear).  

Week in Pictures

This week students are preparing for their mid-term exams, which are a progress monitoring opportunity. In October they take "Checkpoint" exams administered by Cambridge Examinations. These determine if they are ready to advance to the next grade level. Maria has several much younger peers in her 8th grade class -- quite a difference from our American model!

Here are some pictures from the week as I prepare to give an in depth workshop on Executive Functioning Skills to the staff tonight.

Happy last day of school in Cape Elizabeth!

A long sought after sunny day!

Third graders studying in the library before breakfast.

Breakfast on Tuesday.  Puri (like fried dough), halwa (like cobbler without berries) and beans, with hot chocolate

Dara and her friend Rajashweri on Traditional Dress Day. 

Fourth Grade girls on Traditional Dress Day

View from the library. We cherish the sunny days here!

A global map in the dining hall.  Can we get one for our cafeteria?

Plan B: Collaborative & Proactive Solutions

On Monday I conducted a workshop introducing about 20 Upper School teachers to Dr. Green's Collaborative & Proactive Solutions model.  This model is explicitly an alternative to contingency based models of behavior management, a model Dr. Green believes already leads teachers down a path of conflict with "challenged" students.  However the types of "behavior issues" that Taktse encounters are much lower level than what we are accustomed to in the US. My thought was that Upper School teachers can draw in both models as needed for different types of students. Some struggle more with motivation and some more with skills, whether these be emotional control, attention or executive functioning.  We had a discussion about the implications of the CPS model, as it is so antithetical to the hierarchical style inherent in Indian society and in traditional Indian schools.  With CPS, students in many ways are put in the drivers seat and charged with coming up with solutions alongside their teachers.

In my final week here at Taktse, I will be coordinating a study group with a core group of teachers and the new Dean of Students to explore this model in more depth and determine how it might be used at Taktse.

In the midst of an activity at Morning Assembly

Upper grade student and speaking with administrator

8th grade classroom

8th grade classroom

International Yoga Day Sunday

PM Modi declared Sunday International Yoga Day. However Indians regard yoga not as physical exercise as Westerners do, but rather as a practice laden with religious and spiritual meaning. Thus it has caused a great deal of controversy.  Read about it here in the NYTimes.

Students as young as 2nd grade are asking to commemorate this day at our school. I know our principal will encourage and welcome this sign of student interest and independent thought. I won't be surprised to begin the Monday morning assembly with a sun salutation. He has already declared Friday Dance Party Day!