Mrs. T.B.S. Padma has been working as HOD mathematics at Vignan College of Education since 2022. She hails from a family of teachers who have served the nation through education. She received her B.Sc. in Mathematics, Physics, and Electronics from the prestigious Koti Women’s College, Hyderabad, followed by a B.Ed. from Andhra Mahila Sabha College of Education. She also holds a M.Sc. in Mathematics and an M.Ed. from Osmania University, as well as a Diploma in Light Music from Potti Sriramulu Telugu University.

In her career spanning over 35 years, she has worked in different educational institutes, including curricula encompassing SSC, CBSE, and ICSE syllabuses, as well as teaching students at secondary, college, and graduate levels. In addition to being a school teacher, home tutor, and college lecturer, she has held roles with increased responsibility, such as head of department (HOD) as early as the age of 22, as well as administrative in charge and vice principal, working across all aspects of educational organizations.

Besides education, she has a flair for writing poetry and short stories in Telugu as well as being a Veena musician. During the years 2004–2008, she contributed and gave multiple talks on All India Radio to raise awareness and support education outreach.

Vignan College of Education

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

Soon after my graduation, I pursued a B. ED course and entered the teaching field right from the beginning. Over the years, I have witnessed different educational policies, latest trends, briefing techniques, and the integration of information technology. The primary goal of my teaching is to cater to the diverse needs of all children, including those who are dull, intelligent, or gifted. Moreover, I believe that education serves multiple purposes: imparting knowledge, preparing students for livelihoods and job placements, and meeting the specific needs of our country. Depending on these requirements, we have to nurture engineers, doctors, and professionals in various fields. The teaching profession plays a crucial role in fulfilling this objective. Consequently, my mission is to teach and educate children, contributing to the overall literacy and aspirations of our country. As an educator, it is essential to keep the aspirations of students and the developmental needs of our nation in mind. These factors bind me to the teaching profession and shape my career.

Kindly Provide overview of the departments that are available in B.Ed courses.

Basically in the course we train the students for the field of education. I. e. "How to teach. " We have six departments in B.Ed course as "Mathematics, Physical science, Social studies, Biological Science" as subject methodologies, 'Telugu & English' as language methods. we have facilities like labs, library and computer lab to support our teaching. 

What is the Curriculum being followed in the Vignan College under Osmania University?

We use both theory and practicum. I semester include general papers, Philosophical foundations of education, Psychology of childhood and adolescence, Assessment in education, practicum, EPC 1(Enhancing professional capacities) which includes yoga, life skills, and communicative English and methodology of subjects and language . Each student is trained in two methods., like Bio and English, Maths and Phy. Science or Social and Telugu.. 

In the second semester, the practicum paper EPC2(. ICT mediation in teaching and learning)., Micro and Macro teaching (Reflective teaching) as practicum papers. We have sociological perspectives on education general theory paper. 

In the third semester, we have art and drama. 

Internship:

Heart of the B. ED course, is Internship or teaching learning practice,which spreads over four semesters. That will be done in government-allocated schools. Our students will go and practically be interns there, and practice teaching in schools. That is the core or practical part of the teaching and learning process of the B.Ed. course. In college, the theory will be taught with some practical papers. But internships are the main thing that happens in school. And finally, EPC will be there, covering all extracurricular activity papers.

This college is affiliated with Osmania University, and we will follow all norms and instructions from the university to implement the curriculum.

How did you train yourself/faculty to deliver this program to the students?

Frequently, we will be having staff meetings. We discuss the program or project to be undertaken.we discuss in detail and then implement. We accept suggestions from our faculty and colleagues, exchange ideas and teach. We refer Textbooks and different methods to teach, use of technology, digital tools, whatever possible way we can deliver them, we do, all of us. 

What are the Latest methodologies & new learning techniques you are using in teaching methods?

Previously, the teaching method primarily involved lectures. However, now we encourage active participation of students through workshops, seminars, group work, and collaborative activities. Additionally, we incorporate Information Communication Technology (ICT) into our teaching approach. We make maximum efforts to implement these latest trends and technologies.

What are the challenges that you are facing as the Head of the department? and how do you tackle that ? 

One challenge we face is student attendance. For various reasons, students may be missing classes, and that poses a significant challenge. However, we are dedicated to helping the students by repeatedly teaching them the material they have missed. That's one aspect of our efforts. Additionally, we will reach out to students individually to identify their problems and strive to solve them. Our commitment to teaching compels us to fulfill this duty.

Being HOD, how do you guide or train the students to help them make informed career choices?

Those who are trained here will give a demo in our school. In the same premises, we have Junior colleges and a High school, so there are vacancies. We advise students to go there. We have many other campuses. With our training, they will be capable of cracking other interviews and achieving their targets. We will guide students and provide suggestions based on their abilities. I am personally involved in guiding them, and all of us are doing the same.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

Determination, dedication, and discipline, mixed with hard work, can help an individual achieve success wherever they go and in whatever task they take up, not only in teaching but also in life. There are no shortcuts to success, so one has to first decide: If there is a force of determination, then there is nothing that cannot be achieved. When you work sincerely, the result will be fruitful.

"Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached."