Mahesh Kumar
Legacy School Bangalore
Bangalore, India
The Educator Spotlight Series highlights teachers from around the world who have joined The Good Project Community of Practice implementing The Good Project Lesson Plans as part of a research study funded by The John Templeton Foundation.
About Mahesh Kumar
My name is Mahesh Kumar M and I am a passionate Chemistry educator born into a family of farmers in the serene countryside of Kerala, India. Having grown up surrounded by natural beauty and a supportive community, I was inspired to explore and learn about the intricacies of nature at the molecular, atomic, and elementary particle levels.
I have had the privilege of teaching Chemistry in both national and international curricula for more than 15 years. My foremost goal is to foster a scientific mindset among my learners, particularly with respect to Chemistry, and make a positive impact in their lives. Currently, I am serving as a faculty member and Head of the Science Department at Legacy School in Bangalore, India. I am passionate about devising innovative teaching and learning methods that enable learners to become independent and life-long learners.
How did you learn about The Good Project lesson plans? What made you interested in using the lesson plans?
I came across The Good Project research through a social media post from the Project Zero. I felt inspired to contribute to educational research based on the work of Howard Gardner. Upon examining the lesson plans, I was intrigued by the potential of these activities to empower learners to reflect and gain a deeper understanding of their values. Our school's vision enables teachers to try activities that enable learners to become leaders who make a positive impact on the world through meaningful, reflective learning experiences.
Tell us about the students with whom you are teaching the lesson plans. In which class are you using them? What makes them a good fit for your learners?
I specifically chose to work with the grade 12 A-level students because I could allocate 20 hours from their Chemistry curriculum mapping. Additionally, these students only had 4 subjects, meaning that good project work would not interfere with their study schedule, and they could dedicate quality time to it. The certificate of participation that the students received from completing this project was also valuable in supporting their university applications.
What has been a memorable moment from your teaching of the lesson plans?
As part of the first unit, I assigned my students to engage with various individuals within the school and inquire about their definition of good work. One of my students had the opportunity to speak with the school janitor and kindly asked for her opinion about good work. The janitor expressed her enthusiasm towards supporting students' learning by providing a safe and clean environment to study. However, she also shared her concerns about the disrespectful behavior shown by some students, which sometimes even resulted in verbal abuse. The incident triggered an emotional breakdown from the janitor, which was witnessed by the student. The student came back and shared the experience with the whole class.
Upon learning about this unfortunate event, the entire class took it upon themselves to express their gratitude towards the janitor by creating a heartfelt thank-you card. In addition, the student council organized an assembly to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of all the support staff in the school.
Two of my colleagues were then inspired to join the research study of the lesson plans and created a Good Project Corner for our school, where we display our students' exemplary work.
What are students gaining or learning from their experiences with the lesson plans?
These students have truly blossomed into reflective thinkers with the ability to see a difficult situation or dilemma from multiple perspectives. They have learned the key elements that contribute to producing high-quality work and how to approach tasks with purpose. They understand that having a clear vision for their future and being intrinsically motivated are crucial to achieving their goals. Most importantly, they have developed a deep appreciation for the values and beliefs of their peers. It's truly remarkable that, at their age, they have surpassed expectations and are able to view dilemmas from a multitude of perspectives.
Through their participation in diverse activities, students have gained invaluable skills that will stay with them for a lifetime. They have learned how to thoughtfully reflect on a variety of topics and engage in meaningful discussions with individuals from all walks of life. This experience has also fostered a greater sense of accountability for their own learning and helped them gain a deeper understanding of their academic goals.
What advice do you have for other educators before they begin teaching the lesson plans?
For these lessons to be effective and engaging, it is essential to establish clear classroom expectations and ensure that students understand that there is no right or wrong answer to any of the activities in this project. Teachers should carefully review each activity and have a clear understanding of them. The lesson plans provided are simply guidelines, and teachers should use their creativity to come up with their own activities.
How do you view the relationship between what you teach in the classroom and your students’ overall development as people?
As previously mentioned, my students have developed a reflective mindset. The debating and discussion skills they acquired have proved useful in our Chemistry classroom discussions. One of the great debate topics in the Redox Reactions unit is the comparison of the sustainability and eco-friendliness of electric cars versus petroleum-based cars. I strongly believe that the good project lessons have motivated my students to become more purpose-driven.
Why is it important for your learners to understand the meaning of “good work” for themselves, now and in the future?
It's remarkable to see that students today understand the importance of having an ethical mindset when it comes to doing good work. What's even more inspiring is that most students believe that enjoying their work is key to achieving excellence. It's wonderful to witness the passion and dedication they bring to their work.