Syeda, English Literature with Creative Writing
Teaching at La Montessori Kelheli this summer has been one of the most remarkable experiences of my entire life and is an opportunity you must seize as it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is because this is such a rare chance to experience where you immerse yourself into an environment and culture unlike our own. What helped enrich my experience of teaching was waking up in the picturesque town of Kullu every morning with the views of mountains and serenity. This allowed me to start each day with a sense of peace and inspiration, which I carried into my teaching, fostering a deeper connection with my students.
What makes this experience truly unique is the nurturing school environment at La Montessori for both staff and students. From our first day of teaching, we were welcomed by teachers and pupils with unparalleled warmth and support with teachers like Avantika Ma’am, Arti Ma’am and Lalita Ma’am who went out of their way to show us the dynamics of the school on a day to day basis and show us the dedication it takes to define the culture at La Montessori.
The students at LMS are not only eager to learn but are also incredibly curious and motivated. Whilst I was teaching the students creative writing, they had innovative new ideas that they were determined to change within their writing skills. An example of this was when I challenged my 10th Class (Year 10) to write hybrid poetry where they blend another creative writing form with poetry which is very difficult. However, they exceeded expectations by writing hybrid poetry mixed with epistolary form which was highly impressive. The students willingness to embrace these challenging skills and learn, made the teaching experience incredibly rewarding as it highlighted their passion for developing the skills that they already had.
Beyond the classroom, I had the opportunity to learn more about Indian culture through the school’s spirit, which was demonstrated by activities like the School Annual Function and the celebration of Indian Independence Day. Every year, LMS goes out of their way to showcase their students’ talent through creating Indian dance routines such as Bhangra and singing. As teachers, we also got the opportunity to help out by helping kids get ready for their performances and seeing directly how committed they are. I felt that this really helped strengthen the bond with my students!
I miss La Montessori Kelheli every single day and wish I had the opportunity to continuously go back and teach there again! I came back to London a completely different person due to the warmth and love I have received in India.
