May 1 2023

A workshop on AFS: Pathway to Global Classroom was conducted by Ms. Sarita Badhwar at The Shishukunj International School, Jalaria on the 1st and 2nd May,2023. Ms. Badhwar, a qualified ICL Trainer took the teachers of the English and Social Science departments through a journey of being better Global citizens and creating empathetic and responsible Global leaders. It was an action packed, engaging and meaningful session taken over a period of 2 days that helped educators to evolve and learn the skills to become harbingers of change and constructively contribute in making the world a better place to live in.

The session began with an introduction to the activities of AFS as an organization and training given to innumerable students and teachers across the country and abroad for intercultural exchange programs. The sessions were activity based and therefore, kept educators interested and hooked to the agenda under discussion. With each little activity the educators had an opportunity to learn the values of tolerance , empathy and better understanding of other cultures of the world.

Beginning with the Proverb based activity that enhanced the team building skills to providing an insight into the value of tolerance and acceptance for varied perspectives, inclusiveness in our perceptions bridging all cultural differences and correcting our skewed views towards other religions broadened the outlook of the teachers towards life. Learning about the use of stereotypes, their impact, the generalizations made, the vicious cycle of marginalization, the difference between high and low context communication styles, their effects in a classroom scenario, the disparity between the Hierarchical and Egalitarian structures in society, the DIVE Model, the impact of micro aggression on people around us and the correct mannerisms one must adopt to avoid being hurtful to students in class helped teachers to be better equipped and grow as mentors and architects of the posterity.

Understanding the Sustainable Development Goals and the 21st Century Skills, to bring about a difference as Global citizens was a value addition to the knowledge of the teachers. The videos, models and movie clippings enhanced the awareness among educators as respectful citizens of the world who value and appreciate diversity. In a nutshell, it was an enriching, interactive and impactful session successful in carving out empowered individuals out of the educationists grooming the future torchbearers of the world.