Day Three

Day Three we went as a large group on our second school visit to Shastry Memorial English School in Basavanapura, Bangalore.  We first met with the Principal who shared his vision for the school, interactive learning techniques, and his journey in education.  Teachers had the opportunity to visit a variety of classes and interact with students.   When I asked students about career pathways, among their interests were architect, business owner, cricketer, doctor, engineer, office worker, and teacher.  Students invited us to join in on a game of Kabaddi and then served us fresh coconut water.

                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                                 

           

Later that afternoon we sat in on a presentation facilitated by Dr. Narendar Pani, Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, entitled: “Identifying with India: an overview of its politics, culture and economics.”   We examined the relationship of when knowledge is constructed, when and where learning occurs, and Dr. Pani shared insights on pride, reality, and the process of globalization in India.   After researching more of Dr. Pani’s work, I am in the process of reviewing his study in the Sociological Bulletin titled: “The Collective Family and Migration Capital: Women Workers in Bengaluru's Garment Industry.”  This topic is relevant to both my teaching position as a high school marketing instructor and my research question on how can India and the US provide high quality learning opportunities to prepare marginalized students to enter the workforce.