Opening Windows, Planting Seeds of Purpose
Opening Windows, Planting Seeds of Purpose
“Education is not the
filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” — W.B. Yeats.
All I want in my life is
to make my teachers and mentors proud. To do that, I have dedicated myself to
one mission: opening windows to the world for others.
One of the greatest
gifts I’ve always owned is a clear sense of mission, vision, and purpose. I
witness the profound transformation of students from diverse backgrounds as
they see their dreams manifest into reality here at the Asian University for
Women (AUW). For many, this is not only about achieving a goal; it is about
reaching a stage where they truly understand the meaning of the word ‘dream’
itself.
Human learning is a
complex and complicated process. At AUW, students do not just learn subjects;
they acquire the perception to define what their future should look like. They
discover their own mission and purpose in life. Here, as a teacher, the most crucial
contribution I can make is facilitating them learn to think through
compassion, passion, and active learning. My goal has always been to cultivate
a “natural critical learning environment”- a space where students engage with
experiential tasks and questions that spark their curiosity.
We aspire to ask
thought-provoking questions that ignite students into unexplored territories.
We move beyond the “surface approach” of mere memorization and passive learning
or the “strategic approach” of focusing solely on grades. Instead, we foster a desire
for genuine understanding and learning, encouraging students to see the
implications and applications of new ideas in the real world.
The Power of Peer Leadership
As a class teacher and
the Learning Center (LC) Coordinator, I have discovered a thirst in our
students; a constant search for different perspectives of knowledge. I feel
immense pride in the transformation I have witnessed while working with our
young Teaching Assistants (TAs) for the UG Preparation Seminar and Study Skills
Course.
Managing 3 passionate
teams, consisting of 14 faculty members and 47 TAs this trimester alone, has
been a cherished experience. Over the last four
trimesters, I have had the privilege of working with nearly 25 faculty members
and over 75 TAs, directly impacting 900+ students. Working with my
colleagues is always a meaningful learning experience, and seeing our
undergraduates step up as role models and leaders is truly inspiring. They are
not just assistants; they are enlightened individuals enlightening others,
standing tall like regular teachers in the classroom. It is my distinct
pleasure to guide them as they help transform the lived experience that AUW has
always envisioned. They have developed a constant passion for empowering
themselves by helping one another.
A Seed for the Future
When you read this
edition of The Learning Gazette, you will encounter our students’
dreams, experiences, challenges, and triumphs. I firmly believe these students
are changemakers. Many are the first in their families to access higher
education of an international standard. I am hopeful they will bring change not
only to their own lives but to their families, communities, countries, and the
world at large.
Maria Montessori once said, “The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.” Watching our students and TAs step into their own purpose, I understand this truth deeply. We plant the seed; they grow the forest. I am proud to have planted even a small seed in their minds- one that I know will someday offer shelter, hope, and possibility to people far beyond our campus. I believe in our students, their capacity and I believe in the changes fueled by AUW.
Read here!
'The Learning Gazette', Edn 04 on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
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