In
2010, Sandra Bornstein’s teaching career took her to India and on a journey
that few get to travel. In the fall of 2010, she began the transformative
experience of living and teaching at a highly respected international K-12
boarding school in Bangalore, India. Sandra has chronicled her experiences in a
memoir titled May This Be the Best Year of Your Life and shares the
following insights with us about her experiences both as a teacher and a
writer.
Teaching
What
was the most notable difference about students in India from students in the
United States?
For years, the students in my fifth grade Indian
class had been taught to regurgitate facts. They had experienced few
opportunities to analyze and synthesize information like American children.
Almost everything followed a certain formula. Even English was taught using a
long list of grammar rules. Daily writing prompts were not part of the
Cambridge curriculum. I decided to add writing prompts to my lesson plans.
One day I told the class that they had a “free write.”
The concept of a “free write” is a basic part of an American writing
curriculum. I was totally surprised when
most of the class raised their hands after I gave the simple instructions. None
had ever been given the opportunity to write without any specific directions.
They were used to being told “what to do.” They struggled with the concept of
coming up with their own ideas even though each had created a personal list of
possible topics.
You
noted in your book that your classroom in India contained only a few books.
How did you address this teaching challenge?
When
I interviewed for teaching positions in January 2010, I was only provided a
quick tour of the classrooms and general facilities. I did not notice the lack
of books or materials.
During
the teacher orientation in August, I observed the minimal number of resources.
If I had encountered this situation in the US, I would have shared items from
my private collection or purchased new items.
In
India, I had almost no options to supplement my classroom. The school was
located far away from a bookstore and there were no teachers’ stores. I did not
have a car. I was frustrated by the limitations.
On
the weekends, I occasionally visited bookstores to purchase books. I created a
reading corner in the back of the classroom and encouraged students to borrow
the books. I started a reading challenge that promoted the meager selection of
library books and our growing classroom library.
Several
times a week, I volunteered my time to teach an ESL class for emergent learners.
One of my biggest challenges was locating multiple copies of easy readers that
jived with the 5th grade curriculum. Oftentimes I had to arrange for Xerox
copies to be made since there was only one book. I would have to plan well in
advance. It took several days for the copy room to complete a larger order.
The
Internet speed on my computer resembled an old fashion dial up system. It took too
much time to download most materials from the Internet. Moreover, the primary
school printer was frequently broken.
None
of the primary classrooms were provided any overhead projectors. Since the
classroom was long and narrow, it was difficult for the kids in the back of the
room to see the white board. My numerous requests for an overhead projector
were left unanswered.
Despite
the lack of materials, I tried to engage my students by modeling a passion for
learning and reading.
What aspect of
teaching in a foreign country presented the greatest obstacle for you?
How did you handle this challenge?
Most
of the Indian teachers were never exposed to some of these philosophies I
learned in the US and therefore did not
see the relevance of things like setting the tone of the class during the first
few days of class by creating a community of learners who understood the value
of cooperation and respect. They seemed to want to start teaching as soon as
possible as if they were in a hurry to complete the curriculum.
What advice would you
offer someone who wanted to teach in India?
I would recommend that prospective international teachers be
flexible since it is likely that they will encounter the unexpected. Living
abroad is totally different than life in America. Becoming overly frazzled by
unforeseen obstacles can inhibit one’s ability to enjoy a wonderful
international teaching adventure. After all, some of the most engaging teaching
experiences are a result of the unpredictable classroom moments you encounter
along the way.
Writing
What do you hope
readers will learn from reading your memoir?
There are multiple messages that I
am sharing with my readers. The most prevalent lesson pertains to individual
choices. People tend to be most comfortable living within their established
comfort zone and rarely make daring decisions. Stepping outside a self-imposed
boundary oftentimes creates unnecessary anxiety and irrational fear.
What did writing this
book reveal to you about your writing process?
Writing
is a process that requires unfettered dedication and a willingness to accept
criticism. Without dedication it is not possible to handle the multiple rounds
of revision and editing. Each time I read my manuscript, I fine-tuned my
writing. Whenever any of my editors or prepublication readers read my story, I
needed to decide whether I agreed with his/her editing comments and
recommendations. Being able to look objectively at the constructive criticism
was a challenge at times. I needed to take a step back and see if I could see
my words from a different perspective. After going through multiple rounds of
editing and revisions, I became committed to perfecting my voice and style.
How long did it take
you to write this book?
Due
to the process and time involved with revising and editing, it took almost two
years to complete the book.
How did you decide
which details to include and which to leave out?
Initially
I included almost everything. I was not paying attention to word count or page
numbers. After the developmental edit, I had a better grasp of my main threads.
I cut out parts that were not necessary and in some instances added information
that made my story clearer. I included more dialogue, streamlined events, and revised
the narrative so that it supported my key points and all of the lessons that I
learned.
What is your best
advice for aspiring writers?
Do
not procrastinate. Decide what you want to write about and don’t delay anymore.
Establish a daily time to write and adhere to the schedule as much as possible.
