Thrilled to receive ‘Nobel Prize of teaching’

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This article was published 31/12/2021 (1383 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dr. Anju Bajaj has been recognized with what she calls a major highlight of her teaching career.

The St. Vital resident is the vice-principal and STEM educator at Holy Cross School. She also teaches health, physical education and social studies. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Bajaj is one of two Manitoba recipients of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence for 2021. The southeast Winnipegger was been recognized for her success in mobilizing students around STEM and connecting STEM learning in the classroom to current research; for the work she does as a practicing research scientist; and her support for students in remote First Nations communities.  

When asked how it feels to be recognized with the award, Bajaj said it’s an opportunity for her to make a bigger difference, both personally and professionally.

“It feels great. For me, this award is like the Nobel Prize of teaching,” she said, noting she was nominated for the honour by past and current students.

“It’s the highest honour for a teacher in this country, and I’m still absorbing it. I’m so humbled. To have the support of students and their families is so special for me. To be nominated is a big process, and it brought a tear to my eyes. It was like an early Christmas present.”

Bajaj has long been a strong supporter of STEM education — especially for girls. She introduced the Kids’ New Horizons Club at Holy Cross School, which gives students the chance to engage with the province’s science curriculum and elements of STEM education that can be applied to the real world. She also founded and now co-ordinates the annual Bison Regional Science Fair, which is a forum for Grade 4 to 12 students.  

Featured among her teaching techniques is the 10:2 method — for every 10 minutes of instruction, students are allowed two minutes to process what they’ve learned and respond to the instruction. At the end of a lesson, Bajaj says, she guides students in using the 3-2-1 method of summarizing, where they record three things they learn: two interesting things and a question they have about the subject. This method gives the students the time to share their findings with a classmate and make learning a more collaborative and interactive pursuit.

Bajaj believes “teaching is not just a job, it is a human service, and it must be thought of as a mission.”

“It means it is the task entrusted to you in this world. For me, to teach is to influence every child entrusted in your care to become better and happier because life becomes more meaningful. To teach is to help a child become more human. Aspire to inspire until you respire. Keep learning,” she said.

“STEM is important for girls as it empowers individuals with the skills to succeed and adapt to this increasingly complex, changing, technological world. STEM is intended to lead to innovation necessary to sustain our economy. This innovation and science literacy depends on a solid knowledge base in the STEM areas.”

“Too many girls and women are held back by biases, social norms and expectations influencing the quality of the education they receive and the subjects they study. Introducing girls to STEM education at a young age will give them equal opportunities to pursue and thrive in STEM careers later on in their lives, which helps narrow the gender pay gap, enhances women’s economic security, and ensures a diverse and talented STEM workforce.”