My stint with iTeach + further steps with Samaan.

 This summer, I spent 2 weeks interning at an organization called iTeach. A little bit about iTeach; they are a Pune-based organization that focuses on setting up secondary education in low-income government schools. 

I interned at a summer school program conducted at iTeach BJR, Yerawada. My main responsibility was to conduct co-curricular activities for the children. Initially, I signed up for conducting reading circles, but I ended up conducting art lessons since a volunteer backed out. 

I interned at the same iTeach school 4 years ago, as part of a bridge course for some of the academically weakest students entering iTeach schools from 7th to 8th grade. At that time, however, my experience was vastly different as I was the same age as the students and didn't really know what it means to actually guide and teach them. However, it made me better prepared this time as I knew what to expect from them this time.

This time, I was slightly older than them, yet at an age group that made it easy for me to connect with them. I could understand the boredom and unwillingness to study in them. Yet, it was important that I establish boundaries with them. It was much easier for them to take me lightly as opposed to an actual teacher. They would often come to me and say, "Didi, you are one way inside the class and another way outside." That would make me explain to them about maintaining decorum and how each situation called for a different approach from my side. For instance, I could joke around and have fun with them on a field trip, but not in the middle of my conducting my class or with them having morning huddles. 

A lot of the kids had behavioural issues as well and dealing with them consumed most of my bandwidth. There was a strong sense of disobedience and defiance, combined with a lack of drive to get things done. It would take 2 to 3 times longer to do even the simplest of tasks with them, such as getting them to sit down. I realized that yelling only worsened the situation and was very inefficient. I would repeat my instruction at a low volume until they did what was expected of them. 

I do wish my internship experience was longer, as it was only 2 weeks long. Staying longer with them would have helped me have more impact and build a stronger bond with them. Nevertheless, this experience helped me work with students more closely on my own, as compared to the last time, which was something I appreciated.