GHAZIABAD, INDIA-On January 16, 2012, First In Math® Online
Program Implementation Strategist Monica Patel conducted a
motivational FIM student assembly at Billabong High International
School. The event was organized by Jasmine Gandhi, the Director of
BHIS, and FIM's own India-based Implementation Consultant, Akshita
Gandhi.
Left to right: FIM Implementation Consultant
Akshita Gandhi; BHIS Principal Dimple Anil; FIM Global
Implementation Strategist Monica Patel; Director of BHIS Jasmine
Gandhi; Simran Sapra and Mr. Imtiaz, Head of Sanchetna Center for
Special Needs at BHIS.
"I was thrilled to receive a traditional Indian welcome from the
Principal and staff, complete with the ceremonial lamp, flowers and
tilak," says Patel. The children's chorus sang the school song and
presented a folio of the Agenda for the afternoon. After meeting
with new principal Dimple Anil, Patel was given a tour of
Sanchetna, the school's Learning Center for Special Needs in
Education.
The assembly was attended by standards 3 through 5, as well as
teachers and supervisors of curriculum. Patel covered four main
topics, because she considers successful implementation to be a
four-step process.
"First, address the question many students ask themselves, 'Why
should I do maths?' Next, find ways to crush the 'maths anxiety'
that most students feel by tailoring FIM to their comfort level.
The third step in the process is for educators to relate compelling
stories of other FIM Champions and give their students the same
lofty goal-which is to be among the Top International schools and
inspire all Indian students to follow. Finally, educators must show
students how to reach for this goal while maintaining a level of
enjoyment with the process," explains Patel.
The added benefit is that this four-step process transfers the
ownership of maths practice to the students-where it belongs, says
Patel. (Only one month later, with a renewed focus, BHIS students
increased their school average from 378 stickers-per-student to 775
stickers-per-student!)
Patel's remarks were kept brief so that students could ask
questions. They were thrilled when the answer to their first
question, 'Can you speak Hindi?' was given in Hindi, the national
language. Students talked about some of their favorite modules,
such as Just the Facts, Know & Show and Bonus Games, and
excitedly promised Patel that they would continue exploring the FIM
world. Currently, more than 300 BHIS students are enrolled in the
FIM Online Program.
After a heartwarming farewell speech by a representative of the
student body, a delicious North Indian lunch was served with utmost
hospitality. First In Math's ability to engage students, and
translate ownership of maths practice, was discussed in more detail
afterward with School Anchor Shilpi Sharma and Anu Parabhakar, BHIS
supervisor of curriculum.
Patel left the school very impressed with what she saw. "The
teachers held their students to the highest standards of conduct,
which was evidenced by the respectful, yet warm interaction of the
students with me and with our consultant, Ms. Gandhi."