Mishal Khurshid

Me

My name is Mishal Khurshid and I belong to the North West Province of Pakistan named as Khyber Pakhunkhwa or KPK (Means home of Pakhtuns). My Educational Qualification is a Bachelor (4 year) degree in Environmental sciences from University of Peshawar. I run my own educational institute named Iqra Jannat-ul-Atfal (Means Kids Heaven) with more than 1200 male and female students, established by my Husband Father about 15 years ago. Currently I am associated with one of the branch as an Administrator and wish to improve the prevailing system of education which is a blend of Modern as well as religious education, through improving my leadership skills so that I may be able to produce better and enlighten citizens with innovative and progressive thinking for positive impacts on the development of the Nation.

My Country

Pakistan is the ultimate destiny of all of us while all the four Provinces including a part of Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, it comprise a treasure of diverse languages, tribes and cultures. I live in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, formerly known as North West Frontier Province, is a beautiful part of Pakistan with amazing landscapes, diverse topography and rich culture. There are more than 20 languages spoken in this province including Pashto, Saraiki, Hindku, Khwar, Balti, Panjabi while Urdu is widely spoken and understood as National Language. The inhabitant of this Province are not only People highly hospitable as per their culture but are very hardworking, sensitive and fun living. The cultural events comprise of marriage ceremony’s, Circumcision of the young male children, engagements, Completion of reading of the Holy Book (Qura’an Majeed), Pilgrimage, and baby births. Our cultural dress is Shalwar and long shirt for men while there is an additional scarf or dupatta for female which seems very graceful and beautiful. The traditional food usually comprise of spicy and tasty meats (both mutton and beef) with rice apart from fresh vegetable grown in abundance in our area. Our Province is famous for its amazing Mountains’tourist spots like Abbotabad, Swat, Chitral (with a very unique tribe known as Kalash discovered for the first time in the history in 60’s). The cultural heritage also comprises a rich treasure of Pashto Poetry, music, traditional love stories and old history of our elders and tribal customs.

Traditions

Traditional, we live in joint family with Husband, his parents and usually his brother’s family as well. I am also a part of a family with my sweet mother and father in law and their daughter and another son. I was married in 2007 at the age of 18, and have two kids one girl (4 years) and one boy (One year old). My in-laws are very supportive and helpful, and have been supported me and my kids throughout my educational achievement as I resumed my B.S Environmental Sciences after my marriage. They not only supported me in acquiring higher education but also in administering the Institute. I am feeling very proud to be in Plymouth State University as my Father Khurshid Ahmed has also been in PEL Institute and is a PSU Alumni 2008. I got motivation form him as he has been consistently engaged with the affairs of PELI ever since he attended the Program.

Hobbies

I love music, and love to spend time with my family. I like cooking but mostly I cook those foods which are my husband’s favirote while the rest is cooked by my Mother in law. I love to play with my daughter in rain and have fun with both of them in vacant time. I am fond of mountaineering, hiking and visiting distant places in my country. Just like a normal human being I m also very sensitive to my self respect, relations and my kids.

Desires

My greatest desire is to inspire the young generation about imparting awareness regarding environmental issues and their remedies. We have amazing biodiversity however, unfortunately, it has been destroyed though unsustainable practices regarding forest, wildlife and waters. The wonderful treasures of forests and biodiversity are greatly degraded by malpractices, encroachments, and ruthless cutting of trees.

Goals for the future

Water pollution, soil degradation and air pollution are the causes of deterioration of the environment. It not only creates hazards for human lives but also cause depletion of valuable resources. All these hazards lead to the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife. My main objective is to impart awareness among the masses and develop good habits regarding sustainable uses of these resources. Solid Waste management is one of my main subject and I wish to involve school children through conducting first hand activities and Plays that could impact their personalities with positive approaches towards these issues.

Being an Educationist, I am focusing mostly on Enviromental Education Concentrating on three R’s, i.e. Re-Use, Recycle and Reduce! Just like my father, who has developed an illustrated book on various indigenous games converted into Environmental activities, I also wish to develop such material that could help impart awareness and sensitization among the youth and children of our country.

Educational institute

As stated earlier, my institution name is Iqra jannat-ul atfal having more than 100 staff members with 72 teaching staff and more than 1200 male and female students. It is situated in the heart of Peshawar, the Yakka toot area, one of the most densely populated areas of Old Peshawar. The syllabus of the school is developed under the objectives to produce enlighten and moderate Muslim Students with a practical knowledge of Islam and the Holy Book Qura’an.

Education institutions needs

In order to improve the current standard of the Institute, there is a dire need of imparting activity based education to the staff as well as the students. The staff mostly needs a practical knowledge of the psychology of children through periodic workshops, seminars and consistent counseling. A series of educational trainings and activities are also in the list. My teachers need to acquire modern ways of education and computer based learning through the use of internet and various electronic means. 

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Master Action Plan (MAP)

Pakistani Educational Leadership Institute

Plymouth state University New Hampshire

Theme

Environmental Education through Fun

Goal

Ø  To impart Environmental Education through delivering awareness, sensitization and mobilization among the young children.

Objectives

Ø  To enthrall the primary school student with EE through games, activities and fun oriented actions

Ø  To engage the students in stories, videos and audio material for sensitization towards environmental hazards

Ø  To inculcate possible remedies/solution of the prevailing Environmental issues in the minds of the students through fun-oriented games/activities.

The world conference on education for all 1990 stated that learning begins with birth. The framework for action 2000 included the expansion and improvement of early childhood care and education of first of six global goals.  As through my studies, I have concluded that there is zero consideration given to the inclusion of environmental education in  early childhood stage. Although it is very important topic especially in Pakistan as the l0ng term planning regarding sustainable use of the available resources and protecting the rich biodiversity of the country through inculcating the importance of such resources in the tender mind of the young spirits.

As suggested by the psychologists anonymously that the impacts of the first six years of the kid greatly affect his/her life. Unfortunately we, under the prevailing education system of Pakistan, emphasize more on Middle and Secondary Education as it open the doors to the professional colleges. In this process, the student may achieve the required objective but the balanced, productive and innovative manpower is never produced.

The current Pilot Project is a reflection of my actual MAP that I shall be going to prepare and implementing at my home country.

Schools are a place to teach students about complex environmental issues, preparing them to be good stewards for the environment. I just emphasize on kinder garden students that a single topic is not available in the curriculum of this class and if they put their trash in dustbin, it just because of school rules and also comes in good manners. But they don’t know about the Environment. Children do what the adults ask them to do, but when children learn (for example, learn about the environment) then they have new choices.

Context: Topics include in the Environmental education to the young children’s are

Ø  Explore nature with five senses.

Ø  Greening of school yards.

Ø  Trash is the big problem

Ø  Consumption of less water

Ø  A soft corner for living things.

Ø  Meeting with the principals of the selected school to acquire permission for conducting the EE Analyzing the level of the current information regarding Environment through asking questions. The Combination of methodologies shall be used imparting the information including inductive methods, lecture – Demonstration and storytelling, play – way method and role – play method. Apart from these a number of musical and rhythmic CD’s shall also be used during the sessions. I also check the level of student through questionnaire in pre-assessment.

The Pre-Project Preparation undersigned shall make a careful plan in black and white keeping in view the following:

Ø  The age/ sex and family background of the students

Ø  The environment and teaching facilities provided by the school

Ø  The method of teaching used in the school

Ø  The interest/aptitude of the teachers and the head teacher

.

 

In second day the teachers training will be held and it’s a type of simultaneously learning or two way learning. The particular teachers of kinder garden will supposed to attend the session . the timing of the training will 9am to 3pm.

First session

Ø  Four corner game

Ø  Presentation to the teachers regarding professional development in Fun – Oriented instructions.

Skill development

The Presentation shall comprise the following:

Ø  Designer (what, why)

Ø  Presenter  (where, who, when)

Ø  Facilitator (how will you engage your audience)

Ø  Coach (monitoring, applying what they learn)

In order to equip the participants with ample information, they shall be informed through the presentation about the current status of the biodiversity, Ecosystem and Environmental issues of Pakistan and the possible remedies that could slow down the degrading process. A full plane will be given to them about the activities for class rooms.

BREAK

2^nd session

The focus on what you emphasize in the lesson plan.

The teacher must know what kind of learner I am and through which I best understand the topic so in the To gain a better understanding of ourselves as a learner, we need to evaluate the way we prefer to learn or process information. By doing so, we will be able to develop strategies which will enhance our learning potential. The following evaluation is a short, quick way of assessing your learning style.

QUESTIONS	Seldom	Sometimes	Often
1. Can remember more about a subject through the lecture method with information, explanations and discussion.
2. Prefer information to be presented the use of visual aids.
3. Like to write things down or to take notes for visual review.
4. Prefer to make posters, physical models, or actual practice and some activities in class.
5. Require explanations of diagrams, graphs, or visual directions.
6. Enjoy working with my hands or making things.
7. Am skillful with and enjoy developing and making graphs and charts.
8. Can tell if sounds match when presented with pairs of sounds.
9. Remember best by writing things down several times.
10. Can understand and follow directions on maps.

The Lecture will be developed on the methods of teaching that on what they emphasize during educate students.

Less Emphasize On….                                                                     

Ø  Knowing Environmental facts and information         

Ø  Study subject matter studies

Ø  Separating Environmental knowledge and Environmental process

Ø  Covering many Environmental topics

Ø  Implementing inquiry as set of process.

More Emphasize on…

Ø  Understanding Environmental concepts and developing abilities of inquiring.

Ø  Learning all aspects of Environment rough flow chart.

Ø  Implementing inquiry as set of instructional strategies, abilities and idea to be learned.

The trained teachers than apply these techniques in 3^rd day to the students. The activities game shall comprise of introduction, affects and the status of element belonging environmental degradation. Since the current MAP is meant only for five days, the detail according to the assignment shall be mentioned while the detail MAP shall comprise a detail project for three months. Each group has to perform in the time limit given i.e. 15 minutes.

The teachers make the students in three groups and are supposed to ask different set of questions in the first session. The use of concrete objects which the children witness in their daily life either being used by them or by their elders. For example trees, birds, water, soil and air etc.

In the second half each group has given its own activity and shall be engaged in where they will decide their role in the play with the help of facilitator For example a child shall be transformed into tree and he/she will exhibit to the audience as what do the trees provide us and what hazards has she facing by ruthless cutting, encroachment and increase in population.

Daily usage of such biotic and non-biotic elements shall be highlighted again through engaging the students in role plays depicted in certain games. For example an inductive game known as “Who am I?” shall be conducted while the students shall be briefed about it at least one day prior so that they may play the game to the fullest of its utility.

A role play shall be organized in which the trees or other elements (Birds, water, air etc) shall      be transformed into characters for children to role play while certain scripts shall be written for them to present before the whole class. Each element shall tell his own story of ruthless use by human being.

One or two participants shall be encouraged to present a simple activity designed by them before the class. This will enable them to gain courage and share the knowledge among all the students while the facilitator shall be able to point out shortcoming out of the lesson/activity

Sample Game:  (Who Am I?)

The whole class shall be made sit while one of the kid shall be brought forward with the name of a plant or animal written on a piece of paper and pasted on his/her back. The kid with the name pasted will not know the name on the back while the students will be briefed as to ask questions about the name that may be responded only in ‘yes’ or ‘no’.  The kid with the name tag shall ask questions about him/her while the class shall respond in yes or no. The following are the sample questions:

1. Do I live in water?
2. Do I eat worms?
3. Do I live in mountains?

 After asking a decided number of questions, the kid shall tell the name of that animal/plant or bird.

(All the above information and activities shall be shared with participants while a first-hand exercise shall also be conducted by them involving the participants.)

Ø  A Documentary regarding environment and the earth shall be shown through multimedia hence using the non-linguistic method.

Ø  Wall Poster shall be designed by the teachers and the students as well for each class.

  

Remedies:

Students and teachers will role play highlighting advice about the sustainable use of or avoiding use of certain biotic and a biotic element.

Ø  After workshop is delivered by trained teachers to students  we will assess the students that how much they learned and what are their perceptions about environment by checklist, personal opinions.

Ø   A follow up session shall also be conducted after the successful conduction of the MAP. The follow up shall comprise the following: What was the impact of the new teaching method on students? Please grade your answer as per the table ( Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, Poor)

Ø  What is the possibility of designing a course of action on the same line for the students of these classes?

Ø  What recommendation you forward for improvement of the new techniques?

Recommendations:

Ø  Use water wisely through imparting sensitization about the scarcity of water on  this planet.

Ø  Put your trash in the dustbins as it damage the environment and create water, soil and air pollution.

Ø  Plant more trees at your homes, streets and surrounding so that more absorption of Carbon Dioxide and more yield of Oxygen.

Sustainability

Ø  More important than the training, the sustainability of the process shall be ensured through making the school and teachers as members of the Club.  Each school and the responsible members shall send a monthly or biweekly report of the activities they have planned and conducted.

Ø  The members shall be called upon for a meeting once a month.

Ø  The Head-Teachers and the Principals shall be involved in the monitoring of the process.

Ø  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is more interested in conducting such activities. They shall be informed for sharing the expenses and visiting the events periodically.

Ø  A number of Non-governmental Conservation Organizations are active throughout the country. One of them (May be WWF-P) shall be involved in providing the resources and monitoring the event through paying periodic and pre-planned visits to the schools involved. 

Ø  Report of the MAP shall be the last element that shall present all the details of the Project.

Assessment:

Formative Assessment:

To assess the student there will be a follow up program. Every student will draw a diagram of their own choice regarding healthy and clean environment and then I will ask a question about the poster which they design.

Simulative Assessment:

And in every week a task given to students to draw on Environment on any issue of your choice, atlast they get to learn about the environmental issues. The drawing of every student will be displayed on the notice board weekly and identify the issue who they emphasize on.

A monthly report from teachers which indicates the focus of needed topic or issues .and they also tells about the material in result we provide the material.

Budget:

MATERIALS	BUDGET
Resource person	10,000
Transport	5,000
charts	1,000
Accessories	5,000
Refreshment	10,000
Printing posters	10,000
Rewards(certificates shields)	5,000
Media coverage, documentary	5,000

Max Warburg reflection

A courage thing which gives you comforts level, make you strengthen and satisfaction of your ownself. I was surprised to see the organizational, like that, the people also done little work with great efforts. This story has given my students an opportunity to use written and oral expressions to reflect the idea of courage. Social interaction with the students is very important as compare to education which I think is lacking in our school system. Most of the students in our school are hesitating to tell their stories but now I motivate them to share their experiences with us and helped them to sort out their personal issues. I also learned how sorrowful situation of life which hurts continuously can be renewed into gracious cause. This noble cause “courage” was also used to induce others toward happy life.

Another important aspect was that teachers were also trained on how to incorporate curriculum in class room.

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DC reflection:

First of all Washington DC is the home of all monuments and museums. I like the conservation of past histories and everyone valued in their own work through making peace garden or statues.it seems to be the appreciation of everyone idea like Abraham linkon, Einstein .

The one of restaurant we found there “kabob place” was very much surprising for me that very delicious Pakistani food is also available there. The area was so much crowded appears to be developed a Pakistani food taste among the people of DC.

The most beautiful US capitol building we visit there. Every statue of his own story of struggle and work hard, it’s so impressive. Every portrait, posters are very stunning.

The senators representatives not to responds our queries well. I think its little bit in hurry and confused.

But we also discussed the budget for education in US and the protocols of leaders. Tour guide was also with us to give us the information about capitol building and also saw the documentary on the history of capitol building.

The flag on every building shows the unity and strength of Americans. I also had seen most of the people from different ethnic background.

We were also traveling through metro its very enjoyable and new thing for us in field of technology.

The RD’s and Blake Allen was very supportive and showing very caring behavior towards us.

The meeting with state department was very good we met with Brent Beemer; he is a very nice guy and impressive personality. We give them vote of thanks for funding us.

I also noticed that the weather there was very warmer than the Plymouth and but I realized from the aero plan that the DC were very thickly planted that’s why the area has no pollution and as an environmentalist I inspires from this fact.

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PELP Reflection.

During the month of July, the project welcomed the ninth delegation of Pakistani educators to the summer institute at Plymouth State. The incoming delegation consisted of 19 dedicated teachers from the remote, rural areas Baluchistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh.

During the project’s 2013 course study tour, Pakistani guests used Washington, D.C., as diverse learning labs for follow-on activities in Pakistan. In the process they explored dynamic initiatives and institutions from rural New Hampshire to urban Boston and points south. They also shared their own powerful work with underprivileged students: the faces and future of Pakistan’s vibrant civil society.

This PELP team have done a good job and it is the sign of good relation between the Pakistan and US. When I come there I have totally change my paradigm about americans.as it is the cultural exchange program I show my culture to them but also learn about the US culture. The people are very respectful and caring nature. As it is stressful days for us than the normal time but we learned every minute.

We learned from Kathleen Norris about the pedagogy of teachers training. She told us about to learner from the emotions is deeper. I come to know that the concept is more important than the topic.

Teachers education, academic improvement, change in the behavior, health hygiene, environmental ethics, professional development, paradigm shift these are the topics which is cover in our lectures and we accumulate this knowledge through different expertise.

The methodology of every teacher was very involving every student and motivates every one for question and it shows the value of one’s opinion.

As an educator I clear about most of the concepts of education and I implement through my MAP to my others teachers and colleagues. I learned about the importance of integration services and implement  this strategy of integration in my own school.

We also study about the environment of class that how we make our environment, and how we engage our students through different energizer and activities.

The most import thing I acquire from these session, the creativity and innovation, try to make our student to think and innovate something new. We ask different question and then rank them on their innovations, not by memorization only.

We also got to know  information about the culture of US.so I  improved my general knowledge. We also highlight the superstition of US as well as Pakistan and concluded that every culture has its own philosophy and perception of thinking.

Now I am more passionate about my job and learned to know that how we deliver our lecture effectively .

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