Alumni Sharing Session

Written by Mr. Farrel Gara

“It feels like coming home,” described Ms. Sarita Arora or Dollie, alumna of 2005 and resource speaker for this semester’s Alumni Sharing session. The Faculty of Education expressed delight and excitement to have her present on the topic “Classroom Management: Strategies for Effective Instruction”. Both students and Faculty said they appreciated her sharing of 16 years of personal experience as a teacher and currently as the Principal of Student Administration at Ekamai International School. She talked on the challenges in teaching, managing and disciplining students in the International School setting while sharing personal encounters dealing with parents and teachers. She shared ways of handling difficult students, tackling the issue of bullying, and mediating demands of parents. In one of her experiences, she pointed out the importance of picking or choosing battles wisely because not all conversations, discussions, and arguments are worth the time and effort when the outcome is unproductive. I am sure and believe that within the short session given, faculty and students felt blessed and that they benefited from the presentation. Looking forward to the next Alumni Sharing Session.

“Ms. Sarita Arora, Principal of Student Administration of Ekamai International School, Bangkok, was invited by the Faculty of Education to the Alumni Sharing program on Wednesday, October 9, 2019. In her presentation, “Classroom Management: Strategies for Effective Instruction,” she shared some practical tips she learned through the years of experience she had as a teacher and now principal. As shown in research, the most effective lessons happen in classrooms that are well managed. Ma’am Dollie, as addressed by her students, shared her personal journey as a new teacher, and how learning and understanding her students helped her manage her classes better. Ma’am Dollie said her principal told her that no teaching should happen on the first day of school. Instead, it should be used to set the foundation: rules and expectations. I agree with her because even from my experience, if students know what the teacher expects from the very beginning, they will deliver. She also said she has learned not to “lose her cool” in front of the students. In other words, teachers must learn to be patient in dealing with the different types of students in the class.

By having a healthy teacher-student relationship, the class can be managed better. The misbehavior of students largely contributes to ineffective classroom management. Therefore, identifying the reasons for this misbehavior can help improve classroom management. As a whole, Ma’am Dollie shared some useful and practical strategies and eye-opening experiences with students. Students remarked that they enjoyed her presentation because they were able to get a glimpse of what actually happens in a classroom.”

Mrs. Hazel Wanda Ginajil-Gara
ESL Director, Faculty of Arts and Humanities

“Ms Sarita Arora’s presentation on “Classroom Management: Strategies for Effective Instruction” was something I personally believe is quite important information. Ms Sarita stated that the key to a conducive learning environment was classroom management. The classroom should be a place where students feel safe and motivated to acquire acknowledge. Some of the topics she touched base on were: classroom conditions, classroom rules and regulations introduced to students at the beginning of the first week of school, student conduct, behavioural goals for students, and misbehaviour interventions It will be advantageous if the department has such seminars to help equip us for what is out there.”

Mrs. Maidei Munemo
Freshmen Student, Faculty of Education

“I learned a lot about how to manage the classroom as well as deal with the students who have emotional and mental problems. As a teacher, one must know how to deal with the students and their parents as well. Some parents give a lot of pressure to the teacher, but a teacher must choose which battle she or he will fight.”

Ms. Dikee Sherpa
Senior Student, Faculty of Education

“This workshop is fantastic! As a graduating education senior, this workshop gave me a foresight of what challenges we might face. I loved it especially when the speaker shared her own experiences in dealing with those challenges.”

Mr. Loh Zhi Yong
President, Student Officer – Faculty of Education