Empowering Teachers: A Skill Development Workshop at Dostighar Library

What if every teacher had the tools to make learning fun and meaningful for kids? That's exactly what happened at the Dostighar Library's skill development workshop on September 13th and 14th, 2024.

Led by Aditi Tai Deshpande, Director of the Pathimba Foundation and Reading Keeda Library Initiative, this workshop introduced fresh ideas and practical tools to our Dostighar Fellow educators. The goal was simple: to help teachers build better libraries, connect with their communities, and create lasting impacts through storytelling and interactive learning.

The event was part of Dostighar’s mission to bring education to life. Tai’s experience in creating child-friendly resources and her work with the Reading Keeda Library Initiative made her the perfect mentor for this inspiring event.

Highlights from the Workshop

The two-day workshop began with a fun icebreaker activity called "secret friends," where participants exchanged kind gestures without revealing their identities. This activity helped everyone relax and set the stage for creative and open discussions.

Here are the standout moments from the workshop:

1. Understanding Kids and Communities Tai shared insights on the challenges teachers face when working with kids from different backgrounds. She emphasized the importance of understanding children’s social and emotional needs and adjusting teaching methods to fit their unique situations.

   

1. The Magic of Storytelling One of the most inspiring sessions was about storytelling. As Tai said, “A story has power; it can be remembered at any age, whether 6 or 60. When we narrate a story, it stays with us.” This session encouraged teachers to use storytelling as a way to engage children and connect lessons to their everyday experiences. Tai also showed teachers how to recognize the knowledge children already bring with them and use it to make stories even more powerful.

   

   
   

2. Building Libraries Kids Love A well-organized and welcoming library can spark a love for reading. Tai provided practical advice on how to create libraries that are fun and easy to use for children. From cataloging books to organizing materials, Tai helped teachers learn how to make their libraries more engaging.

   
   

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   Interactive and Playful Learning Teachers explored how to turn books into exciting activities that make learning more enjoyable. Tai showed them how to design fun, hands-on learning experiences that help kids get excited about what they’re reading.

   
   

4. Learning Through Play The workshop ended with the “Hidden Treasure” game, a fun and interactive activity that helped teachers see how games can be a great way to encourage teamwork and creativity in children while making learning more enjoyable.

   
   

Why This Workshop Matters

This workshop wasn’t just about gaining new skills—it was about reigniting the passion for teaching. Tai also had the chance to explore the beautiful rivers of Melghat, play traditional games with local children, and immerse herself in the community's vibrant culture.

The workshop highlighted the importance of connecting with children’s experiences and designing learning activities that resonate with their world. It also reflected Dostighar’s commitment to creating original, meaningful educational content that helps kids learn in a way they’ll never forget.

Join Us in Transforming Education

At Dostighar, we believe great teachers build great communities. This workshop was just one step in our ongoing mission to create joyful and impactful learning experiences for children everywhere.

Here’s how you can support and be part of our mission:

• Follow us: Stay updated on our upcoming workshops and programs.

• Partner with us: Help us bring teacher training and library development programs to more communities.

• Support us: Your contributions help us reach more educators and children with programs like this.

  
  

Let’s work together to create classrooms full of inspiring stories, libraries that encourage curiosity, and communities that thrive through education.

Together, we can create a brighter future for every child.