Ep 52 | Lessons on Excellent Teaching (with Pritesh Raichura)
Feb 19, 2025
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In this discussion with Pritesh Raichura, an innovative science teacher and assistant principal at Arc Zone Academy, he shares his journey in education, highlighting his high-achieving students and unique teaching strategies. Pritesh emphasizes the power of building student relationships and fostering a collaborative classroom culture. He discusses effective engagement techniques like hand raising and structured participation that promote psychological safety. Through examples, he illustrates how clear teaching methods and interactive learning enhance student understanding and confidence.
Pritesh Raichura emphasizes the transformative power of cognitive science in developing effective teaching strategies and improving learning outcomes.
The use of structured learning booklets in Raichura's classroom enhances student engagement by providing a consistent roadmap for lessons.
Raichura advocates for establishing psychological safety in classrooms to promote open participation and normalize mistakes as learning opportunities.
Deep dives
Pritesh Raichura's Teaching Journey
Pritesh Raichura, a respected science teacher and assistant principal at Arc Zone Academy, shares his journey from being a student who loved learning to becoming an educator dedicated to the craft of teaching. Growing up in Northwest London, he had a passion for teaching from a young age, which led him to participate in a teacher training program similar to Teach for America in the UK. Raichura reflects on the challenges he faced during his early years, emphasizing his evolving understanding of effective teaching strategies. His experience highlights the importance of self-reflection and the continuous journey of growth in a teaching career.
Transformative Teaching Strategies
Raichura discusses the change in his teaching methodology, which he attributes to exposure to cognitive science, engaging resources, and transformative conversations with other educators. He emphasizes the significance of structuring lessons around clear explanations, practice, and consistent feedback. A pivotal resource in his development was Daisy Christodoulou's 'Seven Myths About Education,' which guided him towards using booklets and direct instruction in his classroom. This approach has led to higher student engagement and pronounced improvements in learning outcomes, showcasing the power of effective teaching practices.
The Impact of Booklets on Learning
Raichura highlights the effectiveness of using booklets as a tool for organizing student learning. These booklets not only provide a clear roadmap of the lesson content but also ensure consistency in language and explanations used across different classes. He notes that when students can refer to the booklet while receiving instruction, their understanding is significantly enhanced, leading to better retention of knowledge. The act of having all students working from the same material contributes to a cohesive learning environment where students can focus on the teacher’s instructions and engage with the content at a deeper level.
Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety
The establishment of psychological safety in Raichura's classroom is crucial for encouraging open participation and allowing students to express uncertainties without fear of being ridiculed. He takes proactive steps to cultivate this environment by recounting past lessons where mistakes were normalized and treated as learning opportunities. Raichura reinforces positive reactions to mistakes while being firm about maintaining a supportive community that discourages negative remarks. This culture fosters collaboration among students, enhancing their confidence and willingness to learn from each other.
Pathways to Improved Classroom Practice
Raichura stresses the importance of continuous professional development, open-mindedness, and the willingness to seek constructive feedback from colleagues as essential components for fostering effective teaching practices. He advocates for observing and learning from fellow teachers to see effective strategies in action, which can inspire personal growth and development. Encouraging a school-wide commitment to excellence and reflection creates an environment where educators can adapt and enhance their teaching methods. Raichura's insight serves as a reminder of the collective effort required to create meaningful learning experiences for all students.
This week on Sweath the Technique, Doug sits down with assistant principal and science teacher Pritesh Raichura for an illuminating conversation about best practices in the classroom.
And be sure to check out Pritesh in action below and visit his blog here.
