Chinmaya Mission® Washington Regional Center
BEING A BALA VIHAR TEACHER
All of us associated with the Chinmaya Bala Vihar program know what a joy and honor it is to be a part of this program. Along with the privilege are certain responsibilities and ommitments. We are strong as a family and this is the most wonderful seva we are doing for our children. Our ultimate goal is nurturing, mentoring our children and instilling the Vedantic values in them. Here are guidelines for the benefit of all of us.
Chinmaya Bala Vihar expects that Bala Vihar Teachers will:
1. Communicate effectively:
a. Concerns with co-teacher, Coordinator and Director. Good communication skills are very important.
b. By responding to phone calls and emails from Coordinators and other teachers – Be a part of the team, our Chinmaya Family
c. with parents if child is absent or has difficulties in class.
d. with BV coordinator and co-teacher ahead of time of absences and identify a substitute teacher if needed.
e. With parents by e-mail - send monthly class summary to parents by email.
f. Conduct Parent-Teacher Conference once or twice a year
We are role models and mentors for our children and we have to show them how effective we are in good communication. Most of all it is OK to agree to disagree and respect your co-teachers.
2. Mentor and be a leader - train new teachers and share class time with co-teachers. Plan classes together and discuss progress weekly. Do not share discontentment and disagreements with children and parents. Work it out amongst yourself – we are all here for our children and the Mission.
3. Prepare and organize - with co-teacher before each class (usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hrs per class to keep students engaged), for example
a. Purchase items related to class projects (or assign parents) at least a week ahead of time
b. Make notes to help yourself and other teachers,
c. Develop and write lesson plan for each week. This helps you, your co-teachers and the children.
4. Attend and participate - Summer Workshops and Annual Retreat. Attend BV Teachers’ monthly meetings regularly. Attendance at 80% of staff meetings is mandatory, your commitment involves sharing your views with other teachers and for us to serve as role models for each other.
5. Train, mentor and lead the students for one annual presentation (or identify parents to help). Presentations will be on predetermined two days at the end of the year. No common time presentations – they take away Swamiji’s time and conflict with other activities.
6. Plan one Field Trip/year, and collect Permission forms. The permission forms are a legal requirement. No field trip can be undertaken without complete form. Please note ONLY ONE field trip during class time is to be planned. No field trips or events are to conflict with Missions other activities such as Arts and Language Programs.
7. Be Punctual - Arrive five minutes before Common Time and help keep students under control. Identify children to perform Arathi during Arathi month.
8. Maintain attendance chart in Fire Safety book – this is for our safety, our children’s safety and for our facility.
9. Influence our students by being patient and positive.
10. Contemplate with conviction
a. the individual study of Vedanta with one class or group/week
b. Teach and preach what inspires
c. study and practice the Vedantic principles until you understand it!
11. Yajna Spirit - WORK IN GROUP (YAJNA) SPIRIT with other teachers, coordinators, parents, and children. This is a service to our children! And the service to the Lord of Lords and devotion to the people and the devotion to the Supreme Self.