IISJ panel kicks off efforts for school development

[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="IISJ panel kicks off efforts for school development" ids="97771,97770,97769"] By Faiza Rizvi Saudi Gazette In an effort towards further improvement of quality and efficiency of the International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ), the newly elected seven-member managing committee on Saturday, held a Teachers Meet at the IISJ Boys Section auditorium. With their motto, “Together We Can”, and “All Ideas Matter” the committee members, since their election, have dedicated themselves and been enthusiastically involved in development of the school. “The management committee has various plans and a clear cut vision of further improvement that can be achieved and implemented with coordination of parents, teachers, staff and the committee members,” said Syed Masood Ahmed, principal of IISJ, in his opening address. The event began with an introductory session of the managing committee where members Asif Rameez Daudi, Mohan Balan, Noorul Ameen, Shamsuddeen Kokakodan, Majid Saleem Siddiqi and Tahir Ali were introduced by the chairman of the committee Muhammad Iqbal. While addressing the gathering, committee member Majid Siddiqui, who is also an alumnus of IISJ, highlighted the importance of imparting values to the younger generation who are highly connected and learn using digital platforms. “We need to prepare a generation which is digital, at the same time emotional, a generation which is passionate about career yet loyal to family, who is valuable to nation at the same time to mankind,” he said. The highlight of the event was the inspiring workshop on classroom management, presented by committee member Asif Rameez Daudi, an academician with over 18 years of experience and Chairman Daudi Educational Trust. Daudi is a highly active Indian community leader, a seasoned presenter an eloquent speaker who had won the Toastmasters International Speech contest at Division L several times and represented at Districts in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait etc. As an Academic Committee in charge he has many professional development plans for IISJ teachers. To initiate it positively he himself being a presenter, delivered the ice-breaking professional training session for the teachers, which mesmerized and enthralled the audience. The workshop, which was not just informational, struck an emotional chord among the audience with his imaginative use of visuals and the best presentation techniques to complement the information. “A good teacher explains while the best teacher inspires,” said Daudi. He explained through series of videos and images, some essential qualities of good teachers, some of them being patience, friendliness, creativity and communication skills. He then spoke about the importance of engaging students and making their learning experience more personalized for students. Daudi rightly pointed out that for a teacher, earning respect from students is more desirable than fear, which suppresses students’ talents. He endorsed learner-centered approach and explained that teachers are facilitators who must encourage and engage students by acts such as re-enforcement and praise. “When you teach from your heart, you become a role model, and we, the best managed class,” he said. “I have attended a number of educational presentations and workshops in different countries but today’s interactive presentation by Daudi, I must say is the best one I have ever attended,” said Ahmed, IISJ principal. Muhammad Iqbal and other MC members congratulated Daudi for this great training session. The Teachers Meet ended with a 30-minute interactive session where teachers across various blocks of IISJ addressed their queries, concerns, and suggestions before the management committee. The panel attentively listened to teachers’ queries and suggestions, and noted them down, giving their feedback and assuring to address all the concerns raised by the teaching staff. The vote of thanks was presented by academic committee member Noorul Amin.