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Young World
Common goals on common ground
S.S. KAVITHA
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The group study exchange programme saw ideas being conveyed and views being understood.
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Photo: K. Ganesan
Students and teachers: At the interactive session.
It was a learning session for teachers. Five teachers from California visited Rotary Helen Keller Talking Book Library (ROHTALK) in Madurai and interacted with visually-challenged students. The teachers’ team comprising Julie Tandon, Timothy Dobbins, Sarah Clark, Anthony LaRue, and Bridget Persons has come as part of a Group Study Exchange Programme of Rotary International.
Ms. Julie Tandon, a teacher working with children with special needs in California, said she was impressed on seeing the personal rapport teachers maintain with visually impaired students.
When Ms. Tandon posed a question to students on how a teacher should handle a student, many children said that they expected the teacher to treat them with love, care and patience.
A few students said they fully believe that teachers are their mentors for a bright and successful life and hence they expect the teachers to be strict, if necessary, rather than sympathising with their physical status.
Ramar, a visually impaired student, asked the teachers how they viewed the performance of the visually challenged students in India.
The team members said they were surprised and happy to witness the hard work done by the students to pursue higher studies, besides getting them Government jobs and remaining a motivational factor.
Ms. Bridget said that she was very impressed with the extempore performances of public speaking and mimicry by the visually impaired persons.
She said with good training they could be a vital source for the promotion of performing arts like drama.
Aim to understand
The team leader, Larry Sundaram, of Rotary Club of Vista, said this was the first of its kind experience that they had, and it was very gratifying to see the academic and social progress made by the students.
Briefing about the aim of the programme, he said that it was more to understand the educational system in India, experience the rich culture and tradition of the country, besides enjoying the hospitality.
Nicholas Francis, director of ROHTALK, listed out the individuals who had climbed the ladder of success with the help of the talking library.
M. Sukumar, president, Rotary Club of Madurai Mid Town, said that the team enjoyed Pongal celebrations with the students and staff of Lakshmi School at Veerapanjan, and had a lively interaction with the students and staff at TVS Matric H.S. School during their visit.
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