July 18th Reflections:

We started the day by meeting the students and faculty at the Purnapramati School, Center for Integrated Learning. (http://purnapramati.in). We began the day by meeting the students at their practice area for a traditional Indian game called Kho Kho. It is a game of speed, agility, and endurance. None of these physical virtues are anything I possess. To complicate matters, the game is played barefoot. So, naturally I joined in as soon as I figured out the game.The students were very kind and said that I was very good at it. I did enjoy their criticism. To quote the one that would be my  little buddy while there: You are fast but have no agility or endurance. I laughed. The brutal honesty of kids is priceless.

The school itself is a private school. If my notes are correct, there are only about 60 students on this campus. I think there are only 10-12 teachers on this campus as well. The ages of these students range from 8-12 years old. The students are mostly self paced and work in an open format in the classroom. They work by topic and the older students once they figure out the material aid in tutoring the younger students. The students, once mastering a subject, are allowed to move on to to newer material. 

The teachers have amazing connections with their students. There is a level of trust and respect between educator and student. I found this to be highly impressive and it also showed in their interactions with one another. The student attentiveness and engagement in the lessons was near 100 percent in every class that I had the opportunity to observe. 

It is a new approach in a newer school, so dividends and success rates on state assessments is yet to be determined as state assessments come in standard grades 10 and 12. The teachers' attitude and desire to work was reflected in their enthusiasm in their teaching.

That afternoon, we had a speaker by the name of Dr. Ashwin Mahesh. He has a a background that was not based in education but made some very strong points about what is needed to solve complicated issues like the issues that India possesses. The reality of India that complicates every and all issues centers on population growth. His common theme through talking to us about topics from steam lining traffic citations to eliminating choke points in traffic. His thought was complicated problems require creative solutions. Education in India no exception.  There is a myriad of problems that are presented because of  extremes in poverty, population growth, and extreme urbanization do not allow for simple solutions. It almost feels like fighting the Hydra of Grecian mythology. What struck me as noteworthy was the hope and enthusiasm in his voice as he addressed the issued. The complicated issues that exist here in India are solvable. They will just take some time, resources, enthusiasm, and a whole lot of hope.