I believe that the ultimate and most important ability of a teacher is to teach students how to understand the objective world we live in. Teacher This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx ...

Core Idea - The essence of being an "enlightened teacher" lies in inspiring and guiding students to discover their own knowledge and potential, rather than simply transmitting information [30][31] - The concept of "photaga" (φωτάγα), related to light, symbolizes optimism and significance, prompting exploration of its connection to education [5][6] - Social learning, as theorized by Vygotsky, emphasizes the importance of interaction and collaboration in the learning process, highlighting the "zone of proximal development" where individuals learn with the help of more experienced peers [25][26] Teaching Methods & Philosophy - Teachers should nurture students like seeds, providing the necessary environment (air, water, sunlight) for them to grow and develop [5] - Creating a colorful and dream-filled learning journey for children, fostering a connection with their experiences [2] - Encouraging children's curiosity and imagination through stimulating environments like children's museums, promoting independent learning and exploration [22][23] - Learning from students' unique perspectives and insights, as their observations can illuminate new understandings and perspectives [3][27][28][29] Impact & Influence - The influence of teachers can create a chain reaction, inspiring students to pursue education and become teachers themselves [14] - Acknowledging and valuing students' backgrounds and progress, especially for those who may feel different or foreign [9][10][11] - The role of a teacher extends beyond academics to include care, support, and creating a positive and inclusive environment [5][11]

教育理念与方法 - 教师应首先与学生建立稳固的关系，再传授知识，沟通是关键 [1] - 传统教学方法已不适用于当今学生，需要简化课程内容，例如“利比亚化学”[1] - 课堂环境对学生的学习吸收有显著影响，适宜的环境可提高 68% 的学习效率 [1] - 教学应以学生为中心，根据学生特点采用不同的教学策略，如游戏、谜题和实验 [1] - 鼓励在教学中融入幽默元素，通过“多巴胺学习”提高长期记忆力 40% [2] - 教师的职责不应止于课程结束，而应持续关注学生的成长，提供职业规划等方面的支持 [2] 学生发展与潜力 - 每个学生都是独特的个体，都有发展的潜力，不存在“迟钝”或“无用”的学生 [1][2] - 通过适当的引导和鼓励，即使是看似“惰性”的学生也能发生积极的转变，成为对社会有贡献的人 [1][2] 教师角色与责任 - 教师不仅是知识的传递者，更是学生的引路人，帮助学生找到自我价值和发展方向 [1][2] - 教师应努力帮助学生将分散的知识点整合起来，引导他们认识到自己的潜力 [1]

Core Idea - The art world connects tangible objects with intangible art, inviting participation and shared experience [1][2] - Human interaction and learning are interconnected, forming a web of influence where actions impact others [4][5] - Societal norms are learned through observation and interaction, shaping behavior within a connected flow of influence [7][8] Education & Socialization - The hidden curriculum in education consists of unspoken expectations and values learned in school [9] - Educators can manipulate the classroom environment to influence student behavior and connection [11][12] - Individuals act as both teachers and students, influencing each other through daily actions and habits [12][13] Influence & Impact - Actions create vibrations that influence others, emphasizing the importance of intentional living [13][18] - Living deliberately shapes societal culture through waves of influence and meaningful connections [19] - Individuals are encouraged to create connections that inspire transformation in a wildly connected life [20]

Career & Personal Development - The speaker initially aspired to be a doctor, influenced by her surroundings, but life led her to a different path [3][4] - The speaker transitioned from an accounting graduate aiming for corporate jobs to a teaching opportunity, initially met with apprehension [5] - The speaker experienced fear and responsibility when first teaching, concerned about making a difference for students [6] - The speaker emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in teaching, even when facing doubts [7][8] - The speaker balanced teaching with pursuing a PhD, highlighting the exhaustion and unexpected lessons learned [10][11] - The speaker found joy in teaching through personal growth, becoming stronger and more patient [12] - The speaker views teaching as believing in others' potential and recognizing potential within oneself [13][14] Teaching Philosophy - Teaching is not just about delivering knowledge but about believing in students before they believe in themselves [13] - Uncertainty should be embraced as part of the journey, as the best paths are often unexpected [15]

Core Idea - The speech emphasizes the importance of "unlearning" in personal and professional growth, particularly in the field of education [2][3] - Unlearning is presented as a challenging but necessary process for adapting to change and fostering innovation [13][14] Personal Transformation in Teaching - The speaker's teaching journey evolved from a traditional, teacher-led approach to a student-centered, collaborative environment [4][7][8] - The speaker shifted from rote memorization to promoting conceptual understanding and real-world application of knowledge [9][10] - The speaker learned from students, embracing their language and culture to enhance connection and communication [12][13][18][19] Strategies for Unlearning - Reflecting on practices that no longer work is crucial for identifying areas needing change [15] - Openness to experimentation and new approaches is essential for growth and adaptation [16][17] - Learning from students and embracing their perspectives can enhance teaching effectiveness [17][18] - Acting quickly and embracing lifelong learning are vital for continuous improvement [20][21] Cognitive Aspects of Unlearning - Cognitive science suggests that unlearning requires significant brain training due to the brain's resistance to change [13][14] - Overcoming this resistance requires activation energy, similar to breaking old bonds to form new ones in chemistry [14] Call to Action - The audience is encouraged to identify and challenge outdated beliefs or assumptions [22][23] - The speech promotes the idea of celebrating not just learning, but also the courage to unlearn and adapt [23]

Core Argument - The presentation argues for reimagining the classroom as a stage, with teachers as performers and students as the audience [12] - It advocates for integrating pedagogical practices with performance techniques to enhance the educational experience [13] - The central idea is that teaching is a performance, requiring teachers to adapt and engage students effectively [15] Teaching & Learning - Traditional education is often unidirectional, with the teacher as an authority figure [18] - Modern classrooms should be dynamic spaces that acknowledge individual differences and feelings [20] - Effective teaching involves discipline, care, and compassion [21] - Student learning is the best form of applause for a teacher's performance [17] Teacher Identity - Teacher identity is not stable and shifts with pedagogical research and classroom experience [10] - Teachers should view lesson plans as scripts, allowing for flexibility and adaptation [21] - Teachers should embrace their role as "educators," combining education and performance [13] Personal Journey - The speaker's experience as an actor informs their perspective on teaching [5] - The speaker's journey involved transitioning from acting to teaching, finding intersections between the two [6][7] - The speaker's involvement in a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (T-OL) program shaped their understanding of pedagogy [8]

Career & Entrepreneurship - College students generally have three career aspirations: a dream job with a high-paying package, following their passion (e g becoming a YouTuber or Instagram influencer), or starting their own company as an entrepreneur [1] - The speaker, Akshay Saini, shares his journey of successfully achieving all three aspirations: entrepreneurship with his EdTech company Namastey Dev, a YouTube channel with 19 million subscribers, and a dream job with a high package [1] - Overcoming mental barriers created in childhood is crucial for success, as society often provides a script for an ideal life that may not align with individual passions [1][2] Education & Skills - The speaker initially struggled with traditional academic subjects like Chemistry and Physics, which are prerequisites for IIT, but excelled in Computer Science [2] - The speaker chose to pursue Computer Science engineering in a private college, breaking societal norms that emphasized IIT preparation [2] - Combining passion (teaching) with skills (software engineering) creates a unique selling proposition that is hard to beat [4] Startup & Business - The speaker started his first startup from his college hostel and later joined a company after acquisition, eventually becoming a top performer [2][3] - Despite societal pressure to take placements, the speaker pursued his startup ambitions, facing initial failure but eventually achieving success with a subsequent startup that was acquired by Lending Kart within 8 months [3] - Starting a company requires curiosity and a willingness to learn various aspects like business, administration, marketing, and accounting, even without prior knowledge [5][6] Motivation & Mindset - Extraordinary achievements require extraordinary efforts, and consistency is key to reaching goals [6] - Maintaining a supportive community of positive and motivating people is essential for overcoming challenges and stereotypes [6] - Even in moments of depression and uncertainty, believing in oneself and persevering will lead to finding light at the end of the tunnel [6]

Everyone's got a phrase that is stuck in their head. Be it a government slogan like click it or ticket it or a slogan, a brand one like be kind, rewind. But just because it floats around your head doesn't mean that it does much more than crowd out your grandma's phone number.Some do. Some phrases take up space and haunt you up and down the bread aisle when you're having an imaginary argument with a co-orker that you're annoyed by. Today, I want to share some that have haunted me and I hope will haunt you as ...