Teacher workshop- Fostering Positive Student Engagement

On 26 November 2025, The Indian School–Second Shift hosted a workshop on Fostering Positive Student Engagement, conducted by Ms Meghna Joshi, counsellor, and Ms Vrinda Bansal, psychologist at The Indian School. The session focused on equipping teachers with practical strategies to address classroom challenges while fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. Emphasis was placed on collaboration among teachers, underscoring the values of teamwork, shared practices, and mutual support in building a consistent classroom culture.

The workshop aimed to equip teachers with research-based strategies for proactive and reactive classroom management. It strengthened student engagement and relationships through collaborative practices that reduce conflicts. Additionally, it aligned classroom approaches with whole-school initiatives for social-emotional support and positive interventions.

Several important dimensions of classroom management were explored. Teachers were guided to identify triggers and set expectations, with techniques to define behaviours clearly, minimize potential triggers, and co-create classroom agreements that encourage student ownership and compliance. Emphasis was placed on verbal and de-escalation strategies, including the use of positive verbal cues, reconnection conferences, and empathetic communication to defuse conflicts and promote self-regulation among students. Other key areas included collaborative interventions, family involvement, and behaviour-tracking tools such as checklists.

The session also highlighted the importance of building supportive environments through inclusive classroom activities, designated regulation spaces, and teacher facilitation, all of which contribute to strengthening teamwork and preventing escalation. Importantly, the workshop reinforced that discipline should serve as a protective measure, and that the tone adopted by teachers must create a protective world—one that safeguards both educators and students while nurturing respect and trust.

By the end of the workshop, teachers had acquired step-by-step frameworks for consistent behaviour management, boosting their confidence in addressing disruptions collaboratively. With access to practical resources for ongoing implementation, participants are now better equipped to create calmer, more productive classrooms that encourage improved student participation and engagement.