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Anita Menon’s tryst with remedial teaching Sayonara! Bye, see you tomorrow aunty By Staff Correspondent Powai - 07 February 10 : Their teacher, Anita Menon has inculcated this practice to pep her students who come to her for polishing their Spoken English skills. She maintains that this practice resonates positive energy and kids love and await to ring this bell after the classes. It is said that it is next to impossible to teach adults and children at the same time. But Anita has been doing this for the last seven years. In her career so far she has coached 300 students. As you enter her house, there is an air of positivity. Spiritual idols adorn the house. It is a packed day for Anita. First come the children from S.M.Shetty School (primary) at 9 am followed by the ladies for spoken English and then at 3pm, walk-in the children from Gopal Sharma, SM Shetty and Hirananadani School. Basically, Anita is a Spoken English teacher, but in totality she is a motivator, communication skills coach and a counselor. She has donned this mantle from her banking job days when they stayed in Dadar. Being an extrovert, the junior staff would always approach her to seek guidance for writing clerical exams. Then she found that, though they could read and understand English as a language but could not utter a word except 'yes' or 'no'. She realized that it was the lack of confidence that prevented them speaking in English. It seemed she got the hang of first step towards her new found role of becoming a coach in Spoken English. She started to take classes from home for ladies and saw a stream of takers to this. In 1995, they shifted to Powai and by then she had taken VRS from her banking job. Now she got into full fledged coaching in Spoken English and got eager ladies from the Customs, Income Tax and other Govt officer's colony from MHADA in Powai. Soon word spread around of her good nature and students from schools started flocking for improving their spoken English and public speaking. She would counsel students, college girls and ladies how to cope with life and relationships in the changing scenario post marriage and facing life courageously. She was quick to do a course in counseling to better apply her innate skills, but she still prefers to call herself as a remedial teacher. However, she maintains, “Teaching is not a business for me. The satisfaction of seeing my students succeed in life is more important to me.” She helps the kids with their projects which are very much appreciated by the teachers. She conducts summer camps for children. She said, “Summer-camps are basically great confidence boosters for kids to mingle in informal setting and remove any hesitation they may have, to communicate under close guidance. I make sure that every student starts speaking confidently in English, even basic. This is the first window that has to open for gaining access to future vistas.” The door of her house is open from morning to evening. Ladies who have done a course previously with her are welcome anytime for practice while children can come anytime for project work or even for exam revisions. Her charismatic quality of striking personal rapport is itself a role model that others who come in contact with her want to emulate. Her study room display photographs and mark-sheet of children studies under her. Most of them are top rankers but some need special attention. She admits only a limited batch so that I can give personal attention. Being a counselor, she has identified and guided children who are slow learners. Though friendly by nature, if required she gives a piece of her mind to the parents when children neglect their studies. She opines, “There is too much pressure on children today. Parents must contribute to their growth so that they do well not only in exams but in life. The foundation years are the most important.” Anita's spouse is a qualified Personality Development Trainer, he conducts programs for corportaes and individuals. Her daughter is studying at college and teaches keyboard to kids. Anita is enjoying her work and immensely contended to make people's life worthwhile and meaningful by helping them develop and enhance skills to face life confidently. |
These are the words with which a group of children from HFS and SM Shetty School are rushing out of Anita Menon's house in Powai Vihar in the evening after donging a metal bell, meant to show their pep and enthusiasm.