Prachi S

Hello, I am Prachi Sood, an ordinary person with a blessed heart. A teacher by profession, a humanitarian by heart. At work and play, I am a mix of these two. I have been a teacher for more than a decade now. I have had the experience of teaching in three countries: India, South Africa and now Canada. This experience has shaped the teacher in me and provided me with rich experiences. Teaching, I believe, is the only thing I know and a way of life for me.

During my teaching stint in India during the formative years of my teaching career, I had a girl Nancy (name changed) in my grade 5 classroom. She was bubbly and a chatterbox; the problem was Nancy was hyperactive and couldn’t concentrate. It would often result in incomplete work and poor grades. She was a topic of discussion in the staffroom. You may be surprised we (teachers) were never able to find the root of the problem. The school counsellor and a psychologist were involved, but her parents denied any testing due to social stigma. None of the staff at school was able to help the child. Not due to her stretches, due to our lack of knowledge about designations and different student profiles. She was a student with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I came to know this when I got the opportunity to apprehend my knowledge about special education. I regret not being able to help the child. I always pray for Nancy that she succeeds wherever she is. Special Education is not given due importance around the world. To enroll in this course is very much connected to this fact, and I believe every classroom teacher should take a mandatory course in special education.

My teaching philosophy is grounded in the understanding that every classroom has its own unique community and it is my responsibility to create a climate that supports and encourages student learning. The classroom environment should be inclusive of all, where all the students have a feeling of belongingness, grow and thrive for knowledge. I believe the teacher's role is to act as a guide who makes learning relevant to life and helps students share their ideas and take risks, thus letting their curiosity direct their learning.

In my free time I love to spend time in my garden. I love going for all walks and practicing yoga. Apart from this I have two lovely children who keep me busy.