Their dream is before mine....

Wow, can it only be day 3? It seems like it's been a week at least. The days are filled to the brim with activities and events. Today we visited our first school. On our way to the school I noticed all the children in different colored uniforms with backpacks filled on their way to school. I had to think for a moment to realize it was a Monday and we have been here over the weekend which is why we had not noticed this before. Cars with backpacks loaded on the top and students loaded inside. My guiding question for this program is "what motivates you?" I love my students these past 14 years in DPS but I'd be a liar if I say I haven't noticed the lack of motivation at times and lack of doing their best and lack of homework completion and so forth. So I want to find out why these students overcome such obstacles and come to school everyday and do their best. My belief that students from most other countries have more of an understanding of how important education is was solidified when I noticed (as we were driving to the school) a young boy of about 8-9 who was sitting on his bed/cot in the middle of a median as traffic was flying by. He was sitting next to what I think was his mother and he had on his school uniform (paid for by the government) and combing his hair in preparation for his walk to his school. This scene will be forever in my mind. What kind of motivation makes this child do this? What is the key to getting all students to understand that education is critical and so is doing our best - successes and failures included.

We arrived at the school -and students enrolled in the NCC program (like our JROTC) were out front and displayed some of their moves for us. As we entered the school, we got our 3rd Puja Thalia from two little girls welcoming us to their school. There was an extra special visitor with us as well - the Deputy Minister of Education. He was such a nice man and when he got up to speak to the students (who were sitting and giving the utmost respect and attention) he gave them a motivation speech. A few things he said that I found great sayings were " Having dream is easy - what will you do to get there?" and " Education is the only way to make a happy country". He spoke to the children in Hindi and really involved them and even at one point the cameraman who was responsible for filming everything was in front of the children and he ask him to move to the back because it wasn't about him, but the children. Evidently he has really done wonderful thing for the education system in the last three years and 25% of this state's budget goes to education. The teachers and principal clearly had the utmost respect and admiration for him. He had great rapport with the kids.

There was a ceremony where some of the students showed off their yoga skills - a daily practice for all students. We went to have a snack with the Deputy Minister and students served us. We then walked around the school and observed classes and answered questions for the higher grades 9-12. Here are some things I noticed:

1. HOT!!! I don't know how they focus...I was dripping wet with sweat and so uncomfortable.

2. Classrooms with desks and chalkboards (minus the one classroom with a SMART board)

3. Basic supplies - pencil, text for the most part

4. Respect - for themselves and most definitely for us. These students were so genuinely happy to see us and were so curious.

5. Proud teachers happy to show us their tools in their classroom they are using to engage students. Let me tell you it was much less than what any classroom I've ever seen have in the U.S.

6. Engagement and attention from the students with what they were learning

7. Uniforms -

These are just a few things. I also noticed many strategies being used that we us in our schools. Professional behaviors by both staff and students and a level of caring for their students and their success - which is what I believe most teachers in America have for their students as well.

I asked a few students my guiding question and I had basically three answers that were given.

The first answer was that their parents were from the middle class and they came to school and did their best so that their parents could raise their status in society. The second answer was the wanted to make their parents proud. One student mentioned getting an education was their parent's dream as well as their own dream. I asked him which dream was the most important - the parents or his. He said his parents. Lastly, they seem to realize that without an education , they will not be able to have the things in life that they will want when they are older. I wonder what the disconnect is between these Indian students and American students? Is it wrong to want to be successful to make your parents proud? Why don't students in American want this? (Please keep in mind I'm being general, not all students lack motivation....but it is becoming a pretty common challenge - IMO) Another amazing visit this morning. Again, we felt so appreciated and respected by everyone at the school.

I did have one question from one adorable little boy about violence in our schools. He asked why can't we stop this....I had no clue what to say other than some people have different beliefs on the topic of gun violence, but he seemed to believe that it was such as easy issue to solve and help schools be safe again....

The rest of the day was filled with professional development and visiting some organizations that run the Fulbright programs in New Delhi. After dinner we went to the India Gate which is a monument dedicated to the Indian soldiers that lost their lives in WW1.