The teachers or special educators at Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan are the torchbearers of change. They are not only educating the children with special needs, but also bringing a positive change in their lives. It is a heartwarming feeling to see the teachers interact with these special children and guide them in their overall development. Within the school premises, the children remain their center of attention. All their energies, attention and care revolve around them. This Teacher’s Day, we tried to look at the inclusive education model adopted at our school from a teacher’s perspective. We wanted to know what drives our teachers to bring this needed change in our society.

 So, we identified six teachers who represent the #WaveOfChange we have initiated. Our first Wave-rider is Mrs. Kamal, who has been working at our school for the past six years, but her enthusiasm is child-like and commitment unshakable. While at work, she enjoys a special bond with her students. And when it comes to being a teacher, she doesn’t hesitate to employ a little assertiveness to guide them the right way. Such is the balanced approach of Mrs. Kamal – always up for her students and their happiness.

 Student’s trust, respect and confidence define her working strategy at this special school for mentally challenged. On the job, she spends time with kids, gives them proper direction and enjoys the joys and satisfaction of doing something meaningful for the society.

 As a teacher, she believes that every child is blessed with some talent. And it is the job of the teacher to identify the talent and give it a platform. At MBCN, teachers provide lots of opportunities by organizing numerous events and competitions at classroom to inter-school levels.

 For the recently held Rakshabandhan celebrations, the students participated in making Rakhis and spreading out the inherent emotion behind the festival. Similarly, for every festival, there is an activity that involves students actively and gives them an opportunity to express through their works.

 Every Friday, the school organizes a two-hour long Bal Sabha for special children where they are totally free to sing & dance to music, recite poems or do whatever they like. Teachers whole-heartedly encourage all to participate in such events and more often than not, talent does shine through.

 All these activities make MBCN a second home to its students. Children just love to come to school and this makes a big difference to their lives and our initiative.

 When asked about the success stories at MBCN, Mrs. Kamal proudly talks about Meghana, an artist whose paintings are exhibited by Action For Autism at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. For the past few years, her paintings have earned a lot of appreciation from art lovers. Many of her artworks have been sold and this has certainly provided recognition to her talent and empowered her financially.

 At MBCN, teaching also focuses on enhancing their skill-sets through vocational training. The vocational training center at MBCN helps our children to develop skills like making decorative paper-bag, jewelry-box, sweet/ chocolate box, utility box etc. and making decorative envelopes, notepads, bookmarks, etc. The handmade stationary created by the students at the workshop is sold in shops as well as supplied to retail vendors and earns them stipend too. This training transforms their lives and makes them an earning member of the society.

 As per Mrs. Kamal, this transformative change among the students cannot be solely accredited to the teachers. Parents also play a crucial role in the metamorphosis of the MBCN students. Teachers at this unique school share a close and continual relationship with the parents and ensure the reinforcement of school’s teachings at home. Parents are encouraged to meet and interact with teachers, whenever required. The aim is to develop a collaborative approach and attune the atmosphere at school and home for total development of children.

 As a part of Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan, she feels that the school for special children in Delhi NCR is doing wonderful work in the field of special education at a big scale! Our charitable special school runs in two shifts and caters to close to 1000 special children; and the list is growing!

 As per her, the school is doing big service to the society and at the same time trying to bring about a change in the way our society treats the specially-abled. And she is proud to be a #WaveRider of change, working relentlessly to hone special talents and give them a productive life.