TRENDS
Rishika’s father suggested that she set up a standing instruction in her savings account to put any remaining balance in her account at the end of the month into a fixed deposit on the same day that her next month’s salary is credited. This way there is minimal idle cash lying in her account.
Rishika realised that there were many small mistakes that she was making when it came to her finances. Restructuring them was not going to be hard and that if she implemented these small suggestions, she would end up not only saving a lot of money, but also ensuring that her money started working for her. She understood after applying these suggestions for a year, what the power of habit was!
After all, as financial literacy expert and famous entrepreneur John Hope Bryant says, “You can make money two ways – make more, or spend less.”
INNOVATION
In the past, the ‘charity’ model of educating citizens with disabilities focused on their ‘special’ needs, requiring for something different and customised to be done in a classroom, creating a mindset that children with special needs needed special schools.
The conversation shifted to the ‘rights’ perspective because a significant portion of regular citizens would face either temporarily or permanent disability from sickness, injuries and old age. Policies were framed to eliminate barriers to inclusion like the mindsets of people, physical infrastructure, teaching methodologies, etc. to include and empower all citizens.
Working with the spectrum of student needs over the years, teachers will experience the joy of their students contributing positively to society. Our students with significant learning difficulties have gone on to complete engineering degrees, among other careers, built on a strong foundation created in schools. The only issue with inclusion is that one enters a world of infinite possibilities!
LEADERSHIP
Leaders have sometimes a fancy to transport their professional behaviour to domestic environments and vice versa. Professional leaders need to understand that the gateways for both are entirely different. Trying to superimpose one over the other often leads them to avoidable value conflicts. Some leaders tend to display professional rewards and utilities to their families; when they get noticed or become subjects of debate their values are put to decisive test. I have found several stalwarts being humbled due to such misgivings and the loss they suffer professionally is immense. The argument advanced by a few for such things as an outcome of their priorities, schedules, privileges often does not stand to test. Says Stephen Covery, the celebrity author “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."
CURIOSITY
Have you ever wondered how insurance companies figure out how much you should pay for car insurance or how retirement funds make sure they don’t run out of money? That’s where actuarial science comes in! It’s a mix of math, problem-solving and predicting the future (well, almost!) to help people and businesses manage risks. Let’s take a fun look at how it all started!
Long ago, in ancient Babylon and Rome, people worked together to share money when someone had bad luck. For example, merchants would combine their money so if one of their ships sank, nobody lost everything. In Rome, people joined clubs that helped pay for funerals when a member passed away. These early ideas of ‘sharing risk’ were the seeds of what would become actuarial science.
Actuaries are consistently ranked as one of the best jobs globally for work-life balance, pay, and job security.
It’s a career that combines math with real-world impact, making it exciting and rewarding.
LEARNING
Your impact extends far beyond academic lessons – you are the architects of the future. While test scores matter, your true influence shapes values, critical thinking, and character in young minds.
Stay passionate about teaching, but prioritise your wellbeing. Embrace learning and innovation at your own pace – small, consistent steps often create the most lasting impact. Build supportive relationships with colleagues and celebrate shared successes.
Remember: when you enter your classroom daily, you're not just teaching subjects but inspiring dreams and creating possibilities. Your dedication to shaping the future, one student at a time, makes your role invaluable to society. Your impact often reaches far beyond what you can see at the moment.
Keep nurturing both your students and yourself, as what you do matters immensely.
MOTIVATION
Looking ahead, the future promises both challenges and opportunities. As technology continues to advance and global issues become more complex, the need for informed and adaptable educators will only grow. By embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and cultivating a culture of lifelong learning, we can empower future generations to thrive in an ever-changing world.
In conclusion, we can say that staying informed about current trends and affairs is not only essential for educators but for all members of society. By remaining curious, open-minded, and engaged, we can better understand the world around us, anticipate future challenges, and work towards a more equitable and sustainable future. As educators, let us embrace the responsibility of nurturing informed and empowered citizens who are equipped to navigate the complexities of our rapidly changing world.