Keystone Magazine Keystone Magazine 5th EN | Page 53

effective teachers are the ones who challenge their
students to question the things around them, to think
deeply about their own beliefs and place in the world,
and who push their students so they can get the best
out of themselves. The other vital part of being a great
teacher is the constant drive to be a learner and educate
yourself,” says middle school Humanities teacher,
George Scorgie.
Not Knowing is Most Powerful
Dr. Bammi’s teaching approach, the partner teacher,
also lends him the opportunity to continue his own
learning. Though what makes him proud as a teacher
is when students write back about the lessons and his
teaching style that changed their lives, his more favorite
moments do not come from what he taught students,
but from what he could not. “We were in the middle of
an Ethics Unit in ToK one time,” Dr. Bammi started with
a knowing smile, “I raised the whole idea of karma. The
kids got interested and I began explaining a bit about
what it was. We got discussing leading to many different
ideas. At the end of the discussion, I said, as did the
kids, this is a great discussion because none of us knows
anything about it. It was a great ending because we all
realized we needed to learn a lot more.”
Not knowing may have fazed Dr. Bammi when he
started his teaching career because he remembers how
insecure a new teacher can be in those initial years,
but “you grow into the profession and realize you
don’t have to be. It is a profession that keeps you alert
because the world around you is always evolving and
changing, particularly with a course like ToK. You have
to not only be aware of your own subject, but also be
aware of what’s happening in Science, Math, Art, etc.
Your worldview becomes much broader; your vision
becomes wider.” So now Dr. Bammi is not afraid of not
knowing because he keeps learning. He reiterates that
not knowing is often the “most powerful learning.” It
spurs “humility, which is an underrated value.”
His humble nature is also what endears Dr. Bammi to
his colleagues, according to Mr. Scorgie: “Vivek is a
person and teacher who personifies what it means to
be not only a good teacher, but a great teacher. Most
people wouldn’t know he has a doctoral degree. Being
lucky enough to work with Vivek, and know him
as a friend, you realize it isn’t about titles that make
you look good, or trying to impress others, it’s about
working hard and sharing your knowledge so everyone
can benefit. It’s about being humble and listening as
much as speaking. It’s about questioning and being
thoughtful when you encounter new ideas or ideas that
are different form your own.” So, if you seek the fearless
freedom of thought (with evidence to back your
claims, of course) that is guaranteed to help you grow
into a liberated being basking in a glow of happiness for
the collective good, then Dr. Bammi is the teacher, or
should we say partner, you need.
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