Please welcome Rajesh Kumar Biswal in this episode of 'Pratibimba'. 

Rajesh has been a primary teacher at Nirgundi Government High School in the Bisamcuttack block of Odisha's Rayagada District for 13 years. The innovative Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs) of the Ganitha Kalika Andolana (GKA )Maths kit assisted Rajesh in capturing students' interest in math, improving their understanding, and increasing their score during assessments.

Rajesh teaches EVS and Mathematics to students from grades 4-8. He was familiar with the students' fear of Mathematics as he has been teaching at this school since 2011. However, since 2017, with the introduction of numerous TLMs in the GKA Kit, he has seen an improvement in student problem-solving ability and math-love. As a 5T school, great emphasis is placed on improving students' performance in other language subjects as well through TLMs. The brightly coloured TLMs, group activities, various games, and digital platforms such as e-content knowledge help students improve their interest and understanding of other subjects. They are particularly interested in number line charts to learn counting and 10 base blocks to learn basic Mathematical concepts.

He has also trained teachers from various districts on how to use the TLMs in the GKA kits as an SRG. In such training camps, teachers express their enthusiasm for the use and success of TLMs in classroom instruction.

Rajesh witnessed how the GKA kit helped students develop a love for maths by stripping away the fear, difficulties, and failure associated with memorizing the concept. He believes that incorporating TLMs by other teachers will significantly improve children's performance in Maths.

Hope you enjoyed listening to this recording by Akshara Foundation. If you have an interesting story, please share your story with 98450 79590.

Please welcome Prasant Kumar Panda in this episode of 'Pratibimba'. 

The Government Nodal High School of Kaimaati in Odisha's Dhenkanal district is well-known for its inclusive education and high student performance. Prasant Kumar Panda, who teaches Mathematics and Science to students of 4th-9th grade, is at the heart of the school's fame.

Prasant was hired as a teacher on September 18, 1997. He has been working in this school since last 15 years to build a positive relationship between the school management committee and the parent-teachers association. His constant motivation led to student’s participation and excellence in block and district level competitions. His unwavering guidance, even during the lockdown, enabled Partha Sarthi Dehury, an eighth-grade student, to earn a national merit scholarship.

Normally, students struggle to understand Mathematics. Taking this into account, Prasant used a variety of mathematical games, events and other mathematical tools to pique children's interest in the subject. For lower classes, he formed pairs of bright and dull students who would assist each other in understanding simple Arithmetic calculations, as a mediocre student can freely ask his friend questions. Similarly, by conducting scientific experiments, he encourages children to participate and make observations to develop their scientific perception.

The kitchen garden is managed by the collaborative effort of the school's management committee and co-teachers. He cheers students to plant and care for the school gardens, which earned his school the Prakruti Mitra Puraskar last year.

Prasanna was thrilled when his poor tribal student named Sudarshan Dehury of seventh grade received a scholarship as a result of his guidance and support in 2011.

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Please welcome Akshay Kumar Das in this episode of 'Pratibimba'. 

Educators like Akshay Kumar Das deserve credit for the spectacular gardens and educational atmosphere at the Government High School of Balabhadrapatna in Odisha's Puri district. Since January 5th, 2013, Akshay has been teaching Mathematics for grades 1 to 8. He also teaches English to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.

Akshay prioritises activity-based teaching, which includes using games, TLMs, familiar objects, and real-life examples as teaching tools. This enables him to increase children's participation in classroom activities, pique their interest in learning new concepts, and alleviate their fear of math. Akshay teaches children numbers, place values, and basic Arithmetic calculations in concrete, differential, and abstract stages using GKA kits. 

The school holds competitions periodically such as sports, story-telling, quiz competitions and so on to help students develop co-curricular proficiency and confidence. This has aided students in delivering speeches in both Odia and English at special events such as Republic Day or Independence Day. They also compete in and excel at competitions held at the block or district level.

Every class is assigned a pecific garden within the school, that they are in charge of beautifying. Teachers encourage students to plant and maintain the kitchen garden, which provides produce for the school's midday meal. He also takes children on farm field trips to teach them about farming. Akhshay emphasises that the primary responsibility of a teacher is to do their job honestly and instill innovative teaching methods so that children can grasp the concept through active participation.

Hope you enjoyed listening to this recording by Akshara Foundation. If you have an interesting story, please share your story with 98450 79590.

Please welcome Mr. Ambika in this episode of 'Pratibimba'. 

Ambika Prasad Maharana, an educator, teaches Mathematics and Science at Biswanath Icchabihari Government High School in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district. He is well-known for his unique approach to teaching students from class 3 to 7 since January 2015.

Ambika Sir advocates for cordial teacher-student interactions in the classroom. He uses specific strategies to provide home-like teaching for effective classroom study. The first is the use of familiar objects and examples of real-life events that a child witnesses on a daily basis. It provides an easy learning experience as children are more connected to such examples. The illustrated TLMs, games, and use of drama grab children’s attention easily and improve cognizance of Arithmetic calculations, monetary transactions, problem-solving, and the logical application of scientific facts in everyday life. 

Apart from academics, Ambika places a strong emphasis on co-curricular activities. Every year, his school hosts an annual function and sports competition for the students, in which the children enthusiastically participate. As a Science teacher, he assists students in developing innovative projects for science and social science exhibitions. Sports periods are included in the timetable to encourage children's physical activity.

Ambika has had several instances in his 7-year teaching career that have given him great satisfaction. He believes a teacher must be satisfied with their own teachings and a kind, nurturing attitude towards the children encourages them to express themselves freely in the classroom. His unique teaching method and concept have made him well-known and respected not only among students but also among parents.

Hope you enjoyed listening to this recording by Akshara Foundation. If you have an interesting story, please share your story with 98450 79590.