Gowramma I P, PhD

________________________________________
Chrismukkah is a charming portmanteau, a cultural blend of Christmas and Hanukkah, embodying the harmonious merging of Christian and Jewish traditions. This delightful term first graced the German-speaking world in the 19th century, embraced by middle-class Jewish communities. Post-World War II, its popularity soared, particularly in the United States, spreading its warmth across other nations as well.
The origins of this cultural confluence can be traced to 19th-century Germany and Austria, where the proximity of Hanukkah to Christmas inspired a seamless interweaving of traditions. Known in German as Weihnukka—a fusion of “Weihnachten” (Christmas) and “Hanukkah”—this celebration became a testament to shared joy and familial love. The Christmas customs of the era, such as adorning a Christmas tree and exchanging gifts, transcended religious boundaries, evolving into cherished seasonal practices. The first documented Christmas tree in Vienna, erected in 1814 by the Jewish socialite Fanny von Arnstein, stands as a luminous symbol of this gorgeous amalgamation.
________________________________________
An Invitation to Celebrate
Yaacov, his gracious wife Erin, and their spirited children—Ada, Naomi, and little Teddy—extended a heartfelt invitation for me to join them on Christmas Eve. Without hesitation, I accepted, eager to immerse myself in the warmth of their familial celebration. I was keen to enjoy every bit of stay in my host country for that is what is my focus – to explore the possibilities of socio-cultural practices in child’s holistic development and its contribution in early literacy acquisition.
Arriving at their home at the stroke of 1 PM, I was greeted by their collective joy. Naomi, their vivacious middle daughter, took my coat with the care of a perfect host. Inside, Erin’s parents, her brother, and his charming wife Amy completed the vibrant gathering. While the family basked in the leisure of togetherness, Erin orchestrated the final touches in the kitchen, occasionally joining us to engage in conversation about my family, country, and work. She brought forth a platter of vibrant vegetables encircling a luscious dip, a refreshingly healthy prelude to the feast.
Amy, a counselor, and I delved into enriching conversations about mental health challenges in schools. The house brimmed with festive decorations, including a thoughtful nativity display crafted with care by the children. Ada and Naomi, with youthful exuberance, set the dining table, transforming it into a visual feast of artifacts and arrangements. They assisted Yaacov and Erin in placing an enticing array of dishes on the side table.
Before the meal commenced, we stood in a circle around the table as Yaacov led a prayer of gratitude—for the togetherness of the moment, for Erin’s culinary efforts, and for the joy of the season. Erin then graciously introduced the menu: a sumptuous broccoli bake, crispy fried potatoes, a tempting meat tray with two varieties of sauce, and a traditional Jewish buckwheat dish. A verdant green salad adorned the spread, complemented by an assortment of beverages—water, wine, and juice. Each morsel was a revelation, prepared with love and savored with delight.
________________________________________
A Spiritual Interlude
Post-dinner, we ventured to the church for a 4 PM service. The atmosphere resonated with soulful hymns, eloquent scripture readings by Josh, and heartfelt reflections. Though the eloquence of his language occasionally surpassed my grasp, the spiritual fervor was palpable. After the service, we mingled with other congregants, exchanged festive greetings, and indulged in delightful cookies before returning to Yaacov’s home.
________________________________________
The Seventh Night of Hanukkah
In their warm abode, Yaacov and Erin shared the significance of the seventh night of Hanukkah. With reverence, they lit the menorah candles, a ritual imbued with history and meaning. They narrated the tale of Chag haBanot, the Festival of the Daughters, celebrated with feasts, gifts, and blessings. This beautiful tradition, rooted in the heroism of women and familial bonds, echoed the universal themes of love and resilience.
________________________________________
A Day to Cherish
The evening unfolded with laughter, conversations, and shared memories. As the night deepened, Yaacov and Ada kindly drove me home. By 6 PM, I found myself reflecting on a day etched in my heart—not just as a chapter in my Fulbright journey, but as a reminder of the profound strength of familial connections.
The beauty of such gatherings lie in their ability to instil life lessons in young hearts. From organizing events to conversing with adults and strangers, children like Teddy absorb invaluable skills and virtues in these intimate moments. The love and nurturing they receive become the foundation for their confidence and growth.
This Christmas Eve was a symphony of love, tradition, and togetherness—a timeless celebration of the human spirit. How much it can contribute to early literacy is beyond measure if I view through the lens of my socio-cultural practice and its contribution to human development.

I recruited three schools for my observation. In my Fulbright blog series number 9, I have written about the recruitment process of one school, the FSU preschool. I am continuing with the other two schools I recruited for my study.
School two – Trinity United Methodist Preschool (TUMP)
With the help of Prof Carla Wood, I got in touch with Dr Elizabeth Madden, who is working at the School of Communication Science and Disorders at FSU. Carla is the Director of the institute and I will write about my meeting with her in an exclusive post. Elizabeth goes to the TUMP to drop her daughter off daily and thus, she helped me get in touch with the Director of the school, Ms Stacy Dugger. Elizabeth’s son studied in the same school and she had a good rapport with the Director of the school. Elizabeth connected me to the Director and as usual, with emails promptly replied to and phone calls professionally answered, I made an appointment to visit the school. The school is on one of the city’s major roads, close to the city bus stand and the public library. The main gate will be locked, and only one person can enter the school with permission. The schools are guarded by all sides. When I pressed the bell, the school manager, Ms Mary, came smiling to receive me and lead me to Stacy. As she knew my purpose for the visit, we worked on the possible days and times. I suited their convenience and the school was very open to my comfort. Stacy introduced me to all her teachers and took me around the school to orient me to where I would be spending a couple of months from then on. She also briefed the school that the preschool comes under a faith-based exemption and is accredited by the United Methodist Association of Preschools. There are six other organizations in Florida for preschools.
As the school comes under the independent association, though controlled by Federal regulations, the school can choose to do unique activities. What guides the Director of the school is to prepare a framework to know the whole child. They consider the multiple dimensions of an individual child while planning curriculum and specific activities under the curricular theme.
The school is using as many local resources as possible in Tallahassee. This is due to the location and the link with old students and parents who can help conduct tours of the local areas. The public library is right in front of the school and the school take children to the library to explore the children’s section. Children are encouraged to attend the programmes the library conducts for children during weekends but under the care of parents, as the teachers do not take responsibility for children during the weekends. The school is near the Florida capital complex, the government building where the Governor stays. The children had the opportunity to spend time with the governor once, as one of the parents was the governor’s chief of office. The school is attached to a Church that is 200 years old.
Stacy expressed her concern for the Mental health issues of the people of the city. She said that they educate children right from the preschool stage on negotiation and honest communication skills to resolve their differences with each other.
After recruiting two schools, I was keen on getting one more school where children from socio-economically deprived families could attend. I got a reference from Sarah to five preschools through the FCRR preschool research group. I looked through their websites, sent mail to one, and registered for an appointment for the other through their portal.
School three – Bright Future Christian Academy Preschool
I got a reply from my third school with the date and time of meeting. Based on the address on their website, I reached the St Augustine Road branch of the school. After getting there, I realized I had to go to their other branch at Tharpe Street. The Director, Mr Terry Price, gave me directions as he realized that I had reached the school by bus. He asked if I could wait for his driver to take me to the Tharpe Street school. Given my circumstances, I couldn’t say no, as I had no reason to say so. He asked me to sit in one of the classrooms; I got to observe the children there. The driver arrived and I left for the second centre. As I reached out, the director, Mrs Madria Price, permitted instantly. She asked to start that day after the children woke up after their nap.
Terry and Madria were so generous and kind; without even asking for details, they let me enter their school, treated me with respect, and let me do my work freely. The next day, the office staff asked for my identity card to keep a copy. Along with that, I gave my background screening and IRB approval certificate.
Help came from unknown corners, unseen people to recruit all three schools that fit my study perfectly. I was planning to have three kinds of schools, and by divine grace, I could recruit three schools within my data collection time. I had almost given up on the third school. As a last straw, I met Sarah and she immediately connected me to the FCRR preschool research group. Though I had not met the group personally, they gave me the contact information of. It fitted into my plan so cosily that I could efficiently complete my school visits for data collecton.
Whom shall I thank, and where shall I start? It just fell into place with Yaacov letting me know about the mandatory human subject research online course requirement, IRB approval, Greg connecting me to Sarah, guidance on the application, the IRB journey and the approval coming from them on time. John and Srimani gave feedback on my filled-in IRB protocol, informed consent forms, and letters, which was the perfect time to suit my submission. Hugh’s connecting me to Carla Wood initially opened up a chance to connect to several schools. Elizabeth Madden, Mollie Romano and Morgan Evers (None of them I know personally; it is only through Carla and Sarah) were in constant touch with me through email in getting connected to schools. With all their help, I could recruit TUMC preschool, FSU preschool, and FBCA preschool, and the observation intaction with teachers and the directors went smoothly. I can’t thank them enough for their constant touch with me till I got to the school. In my anxiety to get to school, I was mailing them frequently, but they used to respond immediately despite all of their fully packed routine. This taught me to be responsive to people in need, no matter how busy I may be in my routine. I still have time and must extend the possible support to needy people. I prayed silently, “God allow me to see genuine people seeking help and let me rise to their expectations to reach out to people I know and I don’t know” .
As it unfolded, each event in that year taught me one beautiful lesson. I allowed myself to embrace this new land, learn each celebration’s cultural relevance, and feel grateful for slowly becoming a pluralinguistic person. I also realized that coming to Bhubaneswar from Mysore was a preparation for this research work that I was undertaking and all that I have worked on from my days as a research scholar in Mysore was slowly falling into place as if parts of a jigsaw puzzle. Life is that journey where we are slowly collecting pieces of that big puzzle, and today, I am telling all the people who are reading the parts of my experiencde to observe and write about each of the incidents of their own lives. That not only is a workout for our research, but it is also the making of a small piece in that big jigsaw puzzle that will be our life.

In this part I am sharing the festivities associated with Thanksgiving of America with a little bit of my analysis to it!!
Every November, the fourth Thursday is Thanksgiving Day and the weekend is made long by including the day earlier and the day after the holidays. It is clubbed with the weekends and almost a week is devoted to enjoying the festivities. The history of this day dates back to 1621 when the Wampanoag tribes welcomed the pilgrims of Europe. It marked the autumn harvest feast celebrated by the Wampanoag with the colonies. It was celebrated in individual colonies until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared it a national celebration. Since then, it has symbolised reuniting, cooking and serving various foods of the season.
Thanksgiving though has its versions, from the Civil War and the great depression to the present-day celebrations. Like all festivals in all regions of America, the festival has lost much of its significance and has become synonymous with holidays. Turkey, still the staple of Thanksgiving, is also known for hot cinnamon apple cider, vegetable casseroles, baked sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie for dessert.
Historians have noted that Native Americans had a rich tradition of commemorating the fall harvest with feasting and merrymaking long before Europeans set foot on America’s shores. Paying tribute to the Almighty after harvest is seen in all cultures. The Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Jews have variations of harvest-associated feasts. We also have several harvest festivals in India, depending on the season and crop nationwide, Pongal, Lohri, Baisakhi, Onam, Bihu, Nuakhai…to name a few. Not to forget “Puthari” of Kodavas the paddy harvest festival that come on the full moon day of the Kodava month of “Birchiyar” that fall in November-December.
Thanksgiving is much-awaited time of fun with family and food. Children look forward to the festivities as they meet their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It is a lot of food, eating together, playing together and finding happiness in giving. In America, get together in a commonplace or go for a long holiday to an exotic location, are also on the “to-do” list. Immigrants have found family in friends of their host country and compensate for family living in far-off lands. The traditional meal is cooked with a lot of fun and frolic. Children take part in cooking and arranging the dining table for the feast. After the luxurious meal, playing games or taking long walks is fun to welcome the winter setting. Some families give food to the homeless or host a feast for the small community around their living space.
The underlying thread is expressing gratitude for the bounty of nature we relish yearlong. In addition, it is also a time to express our appreciation for the benevolence we receive from people around us. Such celebrations make us generous enough to give back to society for what we receive. In short, I felt it was enjoying the goodness and becoming selfless to do more work to serve others.
I had a chance to enjoy the company of friends from India settled in Chicago for Thanksgiving week. Visited Srimani family in Neperville, where she had invited her big group of friends to celebrate Thanksgiving It was fun cooking together, shopping, travelling and playing with a big ‘family’. I prepared mushroom curry in Kodava style and the famous Dalma of Odisha. Everyone liked it and shared the recipe, while I learnt pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, sweet potato bake and butternut squash soup. As it was a vegetarian group, the Thanksgiving was minus the staple Turkey. Turkey is reserved for the next thanksgiving!!
But, this year, I was truly grateful for the bounty of my home and family, known places and known faces. The priviledge of being surrounded by my loved ones and being able to return to the place I grew up, thoughts hovering again and again with which I closed November in my living room in Mysore.

Embarking on a research study is often akin to preparing for an intricate voyage. It involves meticulous planning, tireless effort, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring all elements fall into place. My endeavour to recruit schools for observation was no different. It was a journey of learning, perseverance, and a deeper understanding of the delicate art of collaboration. One institution I contacted stood out: the FSU Childcare & Early Learning Program.
FSU Childcare & Early Learning Program: The Beginning of the Journey
Nestled in the heart of Florida State University, the FSU Childcare & Early Learning Program serves as a nurturing space for the children of the university’s faculty and students. As an essential arm of the university’s broader educational ecosystem, the preschool embodies FSU’s commitment to its community. The school’s emphasis on internships, volunteerism, and research makes it an ideal partner for studies like mine. Little did I know how profoundly this journey would unfold when I reached out to initiate the recruitment process.
The first step was to submit my research protocol through the university’s online platform. This formal process required a detailed outline of my study and approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Once this was completed, I received a prompt reply from Tiffany Karnisky, the Director of Operations at the preschool. Her email was warm and welcoming, and she expressed her interest in discussing the possibility of my study at the centre.
The Initial Exchange: A Virtual Meeting and Connection
Our first meeting was set for November 30, 2022, at 11 AM. It was a virtual meeting that would define my research journey and my understanding of how gracious and efficient leadership could transform a bureaucratic process into something genuinely seamless.
The moment the Zoom call began, I was greeted with the kindest of introductions. Tiffany’s warm smile and calm demeanour immediately put me at ease. She had prepared meticulously for our meeting, and her professionalism was evident. As I explained the purpose of my study, she listened intently, asking thoughtful questions that revealed not just an interest in my research but a genuine desire to understand how she could facilitate my work.
Tiffany’s clarity and precision were striking. She ensured I understood every detail about the data I needed, the exact number of visits I would make, and the hours I would spend in the classroom. This kind of person had already anticipated potential hurdles and preemptively cleared them out of my path.
Navigating the Paperwork: A Seamless Process
One of the most crucial aspects of this study was the background screening process, a federal requirement for anyone interacting with children in an educational setting. Tiffany did not just hand me a list of tasks; she walked me through each step as though she were guiding me through a well-rehearsed choreography.
With impeccable precision, she highlighted the mandatory sections of the forms, explaining each one clearly and ensuring that I felt confident in my ability to complete them. I could sense the care she took in preparing me, not just for the paperwork but for the journey ahead.
Her attention to detail was extraordinary. Every instruction, from submitting my Social Security Number to scheduling a fingerprinting session, was clear and transparent. She even sent me the address and office hours for the Human Resources department, ensuring every step of the process was as easy as possible. When I was unsure or had a question, she promptly replied with answers that were thorough and delivered with a sense of calm reassurance.
The Heartfelt Support: A True Leader
Tiffany’s generosity in guiding me through the logistical maze didn’t stop at the paperwork. She understood that research is not just about the data; it’s about the people involved. Her leadership was not just administrative — it was personal. She showed me how powerful it can be to make someone’s experience as simple as possible.
On more than one occasion, Tiffany took it upon herself to ensure I had everything I needed. She even scheduled a personal call to collect my Social Security Number, ensuring confidentiality by never asking for it through email. She prepared me for every step with such grace that I never once felt anxious or uncertain about what I had to do next.
Her leadership taught me something invaluable: how to make others’ lives easier by anticipating their needs and providing support in a way that feels effortless. Tiffany’s communication was so thorough and timely that I knew exactly what to do, when, and how to do it — all while feeling entirely supported.
The Final Touch: Reflection and Gratitude
As I reflect on the entire recruitment process, what stands out the most is how efficiently everything was handled and the kindness, transparency, and leadership Tiffany exhibited throughout. It wasn’t just a process; it was a partnership. Her ability to break down complex tasks into manageable steps taught me that research, at its heart, is about collaboration.
Ultimately, this recruitment process was more than just a logistical necessity — it was a profound lesson in leadership and communication. Tiffany made a potentially overwhelming experience feel not only manageable but pleasant. I carry the lessons learned from our interactions with me, cherishing the opportunity to work with someone who truly exemplifies leadership in its finest form.
A Lesson for the Future
I walked away from this experience with a successful school recruitment and a deeper understanding of what it means to work with others in a way that leaves them feeling empowered and valued. Tiffany’s meticulous attention to detail, grace in communication, and unwavering support have left an indelible mark on me.
It’s not just about the research; it’s about the relationships we build along the way. And I will forever be grateful to Tiffany for showing me the power of simplicity and kindness in making even the most complicated processes feel like a breeze.

Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, has a rich history rooted in ancient traditions and cultural evolution. Originally, Halloween, or “All Hallows’ Eve,” was observed the night before All Saints’ Day on November 1st, a time for honoring saints and remembering the dead. The festival’s origins trace back over 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, a time when the Celts believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to roam the earth. Bonfires were lit, and costumes were worn to ward off these spirits, marking the beginning of many of today’s Halloween customs. Over the centuries, Halloween has transformed into a secular celebration filled with vibrant traditions that resonate globally, uniting people in a spirit of festivity and fun. From pumpkin carving to “trick-or-treating,” Halloween is now a beloved time for children and adults alike to immerse in a blend of history, community, and creativity.
The Pumpkin Affair
Halloween preparation often begins with the quintessential pumpkin hunt. In the last week of October, open yards and supermarkets overflow with pumpkins of every size and shape. Choosing the perfect pumpkin becomes a family affair, teaching children valuable skills in estimation, comparison, and judgment. They select pumpkins based on size, color, and symmetry, all displayed prominently with price tags. It’s a lesson in honesty, too, as buyers drop their payment into an unattended box, embodying a tradition of trust. Once the pumpkin is home, the real fun begins. Children draw faces on the pumpkin, often intricate designs motivated by neighborhood carvings they admire. The top is carefully cut as a lid, and the insides are scooped out, leaving a hollow canvas. Each cut of the scalpel is precise, as children etch eyes, a nose, and a mouth to give their pumpkin personality. After the carving is complete, a candle is placed inside, its warm glow illuminating the carved designs in the dark. This simple act transforms the pumpkin into a symbol of Halloween magic, with light flickering through its carefully carved features.
Costumes: An Exploration of History, Imagination, and Culture
Choosing a Halloween costume is another enriching experience. This tradition isn’t just about dressing up; it’s an opportunity for children to learn history, engage with culture, and celebrate creativity. Kids may dress as mythological figures like mermaids or superheroes like Superman, while others opt for characters from favorite TV shows. Each costume choice is often researched and discussed, bringing historical or fictional figures alive on Halloween night. Families help with costumes, but children invest time in understanding their chosen character’s story, discussing it with friends, and adding personal touches that make their costumes unique.
On Halloween night, children take to the streets, calling “trick or treat!” as they visit neighborhood homes. The saying, “If you don’t treat, be ready to be tricked,” is a playful reminder of Halloween’s mischievous side. Households offer candies and treats, with some leaving bowls outside for visitors to take while they join the celebration themselves. Halloween night is filled with “Happy Halloween!” and “Thank you!” as children fill their candy bags, often overcoming fears to approach even the scariest, most elaborately decorated houses in their quest for treats.
Building Social Skills and Creating Memories
Halloween provides a wonderful platform for children to learn social skills. They practice knocking on doors, greeting others, and expressing gratitude—all essential life skills. The experience teaches them how to engage in polite conversation and to enjoy interactions with neighbors and friends. From “thank you” exchanges to laughter and storytelling, Halloween fosters a sense of community and social bonding.
Costumed adults join in the celebration, and even older residents participate by welcoming young trick-or-treaters with treats. For children, it’s a night of adventure, where the joy of collecting candies is matched only by the thrill of exploring the neighborhood. Halloween fosters an environment where they can practice independence, strengthen friendships, and revel in the excitement of shared experiences. They learn to balance ambition—filling their candy bags—with bravery, facing their fears of eerie decorations and ghostly music.
Parallels with Festivals in India
Reflecting on Halloween brings to mind similar traditions celebrated in India, where various festivals honor ancestors and celebrate community bonds. Indian festivals often involve gathering with loved ones, decorating homes, and sharing food—practices mirrored in Halloween’s essence. Many Indian festivals also include rituals to remember those who have passed, drawing a connection between the living and the dead. Halloween, like these festivals, conveys that death is not something to fear but rather a reminder to cherish life and remember those who came before us.
This underlying philosophy of humility and respect for life is a profound message embedded in Halloween and other cultural traditions worldwide. Each festival reminds us to honor our past and embrace our community with grace, compassion, and open-heartedness.
My First Haloween
My first Halloween was like stepping into a storybook come to life. I celebrated it with John, Deepti, and Geetanjali, and every moment brought a thrill that made me feel like a six-year-old child again. The streets were alive with laughter, eerie decorations, and the soft glow of pumpkin lanterns flickering in the evening. As we walked through neighborhoods filled with ghoulish scenes and cheerful trick-or-treaters, I found myself enchanted by the traditions and magic surrounding me.
Yet, even in this excitement, I couldn’t help but miss Dhriti Kaveri, my granddaughter. Every little detail, from the carved pumpkins to the fun costumes, made me think of her. I imagined sharing each of these experiences with her, describing the way people greeted us with bowls of candy or how the jack-o’-lanterns glowed in the night. Halloween was a night of wonder, and all I wanted was to recount every moment to Dhriti, making her feel as if she’d been there, too.

Shhhh!! just turn around ………….there may be a ghost

Designing data collection tools for research is both intricate and challenging. It demands a deep understanding of the research objectives, as well as the context in which the research is being conducted. My journey with this began during the proposal phase of my Fulbright application, where the groundwork for these tools was laid. That preparation proved invaluable when finalizing the tools for submission alongside my Institutional Review Board (IRB) application (more on the IRB in series 5). The submission process, while daunting, was a blessing in disguise as it forced me to refine the tools meticulously, ensuring they were ready for approval.
Creating tools that could gather data accurately without bias or error required not only a clear grasp of the research questions but also an awareness of the essential data points that needed capturing. My experience as faculty at NCERT, where I frequently designed or adapted research tools, provided me with a strong foundation. However, preparing these tools posed a unique challenge: they needed to be user-friendly for participants I had never met, individuals whose backgrounds and work conditions were entirely unfamiliar to me.
The process of crafting the tools was iterative, often requiring refinement through multiple rounds of testing. It was crucial that these tools didn’t unintentionally influence participants’ responses or behavior. The support I received from Srimani John and Upasana during this phase was invaluable, as they helped validate the tools at various stages. Reflecting on those days, I realize how deeply I immersed myself in studying the local society, school culture, and community in Tallahassee. My dear friends June and Asia were constant sources of insight into the family dynamics and cultural nuances of the region. And no, June isn’t the month, and Asia isn’t the continent—they are my wonderful friends who made life in a distant land joyful.
Now, let’s delve into the specific tools I developed:
School Profile: This tool sought to capture and visually depict the schools I visited. It had to document everything from physical facilities to student enrolment, teacher details, and the general rhythm of school life—assemblies, classroom engagement, outdoor activities, meal breaks, and more.
Classroom Observation Schedule: This tool was designed to observe and record the subtleties of classroom practices. It aimed to document rituals, stories, songs, food customs, paintings, classroom displays, languages spoken, games, curricular content, pedagogical approaches, student-teacher interactions, and reinforcement techniques. The classroom environment, materials, and cultural variations were all given due attention in the observations.
Teacher Interview Schedule: This tool became central to understanding teachers’ perspectives on incorporating children’s socio-cultural backgrounds into the curriculum. A series of questions focused on curriculum, pedagogy, and inclusion practices.
Community Member Interview Schedule: Designing this tool was a delightful experience as it allowed me to explore my new city through the eyes of its long-term residents. My goal was to understand how deeply the locals appreciated the city’s rich history, its architecture, festivals, cuisine, literature, arts, and the traditions that shaped their upbringing.
Adapting these tools to fit the context and environment of my research added another layer of complexity. However, regular discussions with my mentors and friends at FCRR, as well as members of the local community, made the process smoother. My real challenge lay in integrating these tools with existing systems to ensure seamless data collection, storage, and analysis without errors or loss. Moreover, managing ethical considerations throughout the tool development was vital. Ensuring compliance with data protection laws and respecting participants’ privacy and consent was a delicate balancing act that often required legal consultation—a lesson I learned from my HRP course for IRB submission.
Beyond technical and ethical hurdles, maintaining these tools throughout the research project demanded constant attention. As new data was collected, the tools sometimes needed updates to address unforeseen challenges. This required ongoing technical support, which could be resource-intensive. Finally, I needed to ensure that the tools were validated and that the data collected was both reliable and accurate. Pilot testing, calibration, and establishing quality control procedures were essential in achieving this.
In short, creating data collection tools is a highly specialized task that calls for a multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise in research methodology, data management, and ethics. The process is time-consuming and resource-intensive, requiring precision and attention to detail to develop tools that are fit for purpose and capable of supporting high-quality research.
The structured approach at the university made the process systematic, allowing me to complete the work on time. There was no room for procrastination, as each cognitive task had to be finalized before moving forward. The next phase—recruiting schools—presented its own set of challenges. I couldn’t just walk into a school and start collecting data. But more on that in the next series.

As I settled in my Seminole Trails apartment, the first Sunday Hugh Catts, one of my mentors in FCRR offered an outing to me, a long drive to the farms of Florida that keep open during weekends for tourists. As planned Hugh and Susan came at 2 pm, picked me and on the way made sure I bought some green chilies (serrano chilly that is close to our green chilly) and similar stuff that I was missing from the day I started cooking in the US.
Nestled in the serene countryside, the farmhouse offered a secluded yet comforting retreat. Life was slowly turning back to normal, after COVID and it was evident as friends gathered once again, sharing laughter and stories that had been stifled by distance for too long. The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers, and the gentle rustle of leaves added a soothing soundtrack to people once again meeting. It was a time to reconnect, not just with each other, but with the simpler joys of life that we had almost forgotten.
Florida combines two of its largest industries as agritourism. It allows farmers to open their farms to tourists for education and entertainment. While doing so it targets agricultural production and marketing. Opening of farmhouse is a business idea where the agriculturists let the general public walk through the farm land, buy farm products, expose to the country side cuisine. Families in huge numbers get attracted to these tourist places as children get to run around and play and learn about the living in villages, growing of food crops, get first-hand experience on poultry, dairy and similar stuff. Agriculture is getting tougher as cost of production is raising and it is hard for the farmers to maintain the farm. Agritourism is a source of income for them by selling farm fresh products which the visitors are ready to pay because of its freshness and taste. We can walk through the farm, pluck fruits and vegetables, pay for it and walk out. Orange orchard sells fresh orange juice in plenty of variety that is priced as per the goodness in it. With sugar, without sugar, with pulp, without pulp, in large and small cups are sold. Lots of variety of dry fruits and fruit jelly, jam, sauce are also sold in the counters. Traditional art forms are exhibited with its detailed history. All are organised in such a way that it is attractive and easy to shop. Workers of the orchard stay in the counter and explain the food processing with technology support. We treated ourselves with the richness of fresh orange juice from the counters in the orange orchard visit. In the series of farm visits, we stopped over by the vegetable garden with poultry where the German origin couple bake fresh bread and make delicious sandwiches with fresh tomatoes and eggs that was a treat! We landed in their farm as Susan was their regular customer buying the delicious bread they sell in the Tallahassee farmers market every Saturday.
Exploring the farmhouse and its surroundings introduced me to the rich flora of the land and also to the culture of the area. I saw from close angle the Spanish moss hanging off from huge trees, the commonly found epiphytic herb in Florida. I tried to learn about the regional cuisine and tried my hand at traditional crafts. The experience was immersive and enlightening, allowing me to appreciate a different way of life that had been quietly enduring the pandemic’s storm. It was a reminder of the resilience of communities and the beauty of human connections, even in the most isolated of places.
On our way back stopped at Hugh’s beautiful mansion that is decorated with care in every corner. Showed with enthusiasm the decorative art pieces that he had picked from Delhi and Bhubaneswar. The garden and the lawn display the classy taste that Susan and Hugh have. Be it Indian cuisine or American life style knowing the best of it, they relish each bit of it.
It was a pleasure to be with Hugh as I had seen the enthusiasm in him in wherever he goes. He makes me embark on my learning journey with similar eagerness to learn and to give back. It was a privilege as well as prestige to be able to be in the guidance of scholars of that potential not just in the academic front but in simpler acts of daily life. It is a rare opportunity to spend long hours with Hugh the language scientist of global repute. We talk of schools in India, the distinct cultural milieu of our countries and its impact on child language development, method of teaching reading in the early school years, teacher education and availability of language assessment tools. Indian food and easy recipe will always be part of our conversation only next to the topic of learning to read and write!!

I started my work on 6th October. I was introduced to the staff and structure of the Reading Research Centre. Meetings are held online, and I met my mentor, Prof Petscher, online on 11th October. He talked more to make me comfortable and get settled. I started talking about my work in my usual anxiety, and he gave his views. He asked me to visit the university website and learn about procedures like the IRB!!
It was something very new to me. I met with a research support staff member, Sarah, virtually on the 14th, and she explained IRB elaborately. All these meetings are planned, scheduled, and conducted with the administrative support of Greg Hutchins. I was introduced to the Institute Review Board (IRB), where I had to submit my proposal and get approval to conduct the study. I can’t submit it in my style; I had to do it in their fixed format. The format itself was 17 pages!!
I almost fainted when I saw the format for the first time. It is a very rigorous process. I filled in the format and prepared all the required enclosures to fulfil the formality. An online human subject protection (HSP) course is compulsory to get through the IRB. The HSP certificate has to be uploaded to the IRB portal as a mandatory step. I enrolled on the online course and started reading the modules.
It was interesting, though bulky. One must get 80% to get through the online course and apply to IRB. I had no option but to make it happen. Out of the 15 compulsory modules, I started taking one per day, which is hectic, but I rose to the challenge of completing it as soon as possible to start grounded research.
The content in the HSP course is very well organized into modules. It is in text and video format. We can choose the style we prefer. I did both to get the best of both. After completing each module, there was an assessment before going to the next. The questions are so well prepared that they assess the outcomes precisely. Once we complete the quiz, we will be taken to the automatic grading procedure. The right/wrong answers are discussed. If you get less than 80%, there is a chance to review it. You can go through the modules once again and retake the assessment. The questions will be different next time!! I wonder how they prepare these modules. Reading, taking assessments, re-reading, and improving your score at your own pace is self-motivating. I also noted this as a way to be introduced to the MOOCs and online assessment I will prepare once back In India.

I understood one hard-core truth. You should be very good with language, reading and comprehension. When we identify children with specific language impairments in schools, we should guide them into professions that don’t require reading prints and oral and written comprehension. Reading the modules, listening to the modules, and taking the assessment all require excellent control over language. As we are not native English speakers, I had to read and re-read to understand the depth of knowledge embedded in the content. Many examples, case illustrations, and videos are included to make the modules exciting and help comprehension. Still, I think the language load is overwhelming to those who are not linguistically intelligent, as per Harvard Gardner, and as a teacher of Inclusive Education, I made notes to deliver these points to my students before they go for internship. I have collected the modules in text form in Word files by copying and pasting. I am unable to download the videos, though. I also copied one or two assessment examples out of the fifteen modules I completed, to share with my collegues and students to appreciate the standard of the modules and the assessment. I scored 100% in seven modules and 80% in seven. In one module, I scored 60%, and overall, as ot is above 80%, I am eligible for the certificate. Now, I am relieved that I am eligible to apply to IRB. It was a tedious process and a demanding journey.
Along with the IRB format, all the tools proposed to be used in the study, the letter to the schools for permission, and the informed consent form for the participants must be enclosed for the review committee. I worked on them, too, with the help of my mentors and friends. The language, the content, the clarity and the adequacy of the information will all be reviewed by the board before giving approval to carry out the study.
Ultimately, the University intention is to make research highly ethical no where no research participant would be harmed physically, socially, economically, or psychologically. Privacy and confidentiality were highly regarded. The participants’ autonomy is respected. I learned through this procedure that I shall always preserve that “Nothing is and nobody can be taken for granted”. The HSP report certificate gets automatically generated upon course completion. The report certificate must be uploaded to the IRB portal to complete the procedure. IRB review report is very elaborate running to three pages that we have to keep safe during the time of conducting the study.
I started understanding the socio-cultural and academic environment here and adapting to it. Every time I got adjusted to a new situation there was a feeling of empowerment from within. That is such a enjoyable journey!! The happiness is beyond measure and beyond expression. It is a learning opportunity to expand the horizon of knowledge beyond the boundary.
I troubled Hugh, Yaacov, John and Srimani at different stages of filling up the IRB format, preparing the required letters and tools that had to get uploaded with the format. Sarah and Greg were of great help too.

Destiny took me to another land to establish yet another home, far away from home!! Greg and Deepti helped to buy all the requirements to begin life in the US. I am sure I wouldn’t have bought half the stuff Deepti listed for me! The bathroom and kitchen shelves will be packed for almost eight months. Greg helped with basic furniture and Deepti with other home requirements. The bedroom has a queen-size frame and bed, and the living room has a table with two chairs and a work chair.
I was getting started in my new apartment, opening the door several times to unload the things sometimes with Greg and sometimes with Deepti on different occasions. Several cars could be seen filling the parking lot. But not even a single human structure was peeping out the window or the door. I couldn’t help but smile and think of moving to a new house in our locality. Inquisitive, innocent faces will peep, come out and begin a conversation. From where have you come? Who are they with you? Are you married? How many children/grandchildren do you have? What are they doing? Come for a cup of coffee. Shall I prepare some lunch for you? I missed those. I was so disappointed that none were seen to smile around.
During the evenings, I went for a walk to get to know the neighbourhood, if not the people in the neighbourhood. The Seminole Trails apartment complex is for Florida State University (FSU) students. Single, double and four-room apartments are built in large spaces with a well-maintained garden, office, standard reading room, gym and swimming pool. The residents can use all the facilities 24X7.
The kitchen in my single-bedroom apartment has four electric burners connected to the cooking range to bake, grill, steam, and boil. There was a dishwasher and a refrigerator of the huge size I had not used earlier, laundry, microwave with grill and bake facility that can wash and bake for a big party. These were the basics that I had in my apartment. Most other vibrant kitchens have much more than this. The cutlery is overflowing with gadgets and accessories everywhere. At home or institute, sets of knives, spoons, forks, mugs, plates and bowls are easily accessible and in excess. Various sizes of cutting boards, peelers and graters adorn the kitchen cabinet. Despite all this, cooking is a chore that people avoid. They don’t even understand that someone can enjoy cooking. It is just the culture here. It seems to be a huge, laborious process where people end up eating packed food. Even salads are packed and ready to eat. Cutting vegetables to make salad is a time-consuming task! They probably use that time for more productive work. But, I thought nothing could replace the beauty of an Indian kitchen, where the cuisine recognizes every household, and people can hardly think of something more productive than cooking five different items per meal.
It is astonishing to find people eating packed, pre-cooked, and restaurant food despite having the best gadgets and accessories in the kitchen. Our ancestors will marvel at the kitchen facilities with 24X7 hot water in the tap to the kitchen sink, a switch to open the clog, and a switch to cut the food waste into bits. My hostel students may stare at me when I educate them not to throw food in the wash basin if they see these facilities. Different types of detergents, soaps, papers for the bathroom and vessels, groceries, vegetables, fruits, milk, and curd for the kitchen look smartly loaded.

Each step I take here expose me to a strange sight; each expression is a new language. There is no end if I start. I have to be careful to throw (I am sorry you can’t throw!!) waste. It should be put in a particular bag. You can’t use a waste plastic bag. It has a colour; it has a shape and size. You should put in that ONLY. No one will come to pick it up if you hang it on your doorstep or gate. You should go to the nearby dump truck and place your bag precariously inside. Early in the morning, the truck will come and pull it along and vanish somewhere. I am tempted to put the organic waste in the garden under a plant. I have not been able to do it till now. But it is for sure that before returning to India, I will teach these people how to use bio-degradable waste for the garden. Somehow, I will find a way to hide the kitchen waste under the trees in front and around my apartment.
Dogs are never found around moving at their will. They are cared for much more than humans. They are dressed well, fed well, and taken for walks. Group walking is like ours; talking loudly and laughing cannot be seen anywhere. I smile thinking of how Negi and Dhanya would frown while Elizabeth, and I plucked Jasmines and collected wild fruits and edible leaves around the RIE campus during our evening walks
You see some people walk with their dogs. There are dustbins with a pickup brush every ten steps to remove dog waste and drop it in the bin. Dogs are trained more than training children to behave well. If there is no caretaker for the dog, it is open for adoption, and they are taken quicker than taking kids. Dogs are trained before they are given for adoption. John and Deepti adopted two dogs, and they were lovable. Usually, I don’t admire dogs, and I could never find a reason why Upasana had to feed per pet Max with her hands and sing to him, but after coming here, these dogs have made me feel that it is acceptable to keep dogs as pets.
I may be missing my family and friends, but what I miss more is green chillies. My God!! How these people live without the pungent bite of the green marvels on Earth!! I pity them for missing such a taste. Anyway, they do not know what they miss!

The Florida State University has its bus service throughout the city of Tallahassee. They run on all weekdays. Monday morning, I took a bus (OS bus. All buses have names of the destination from FSU circle. Two letters are the short form of calling the bus. OS is Osceola) to the University centre with the help of the driver and from there, another (IN – Innovation) to my institute, Florida Centre for Reading Research (FCRR). The drivers were so helpful in letting me know where to get down and where to look for the next bus. After getting down from the second bus at Ivey Avenue, the street where FCRR is located in Innovation Park, I couldn’t understand where I was. I was lost!
Greg had taken me earlier on Thursday and Friday, but finding the exact location was hard. I asked a lady walking with a bag (a rare sight) where FCRR was. She was helpful but did not know the exact location of the building. Greg was texting me where I was, but I did not know what to say. Finally, he sent me the address, 2010 Levy Avenue, which I searched on Google Maps and started walking in that direction. It was showing one mile!! It has been an hour since I left home. I was walking fast in that direction, and an FSU IN bus stopped and looked at me, gesturing to get in. I couldn’t help thanking all the Gods enough for the courtesy of the driver. I identified the FCRR building as he drove, got down and entered the building. It was a feeling of great relief and achievement.
Whenever they see people standing or walking, they stop and ask if they need to be picked up. It is such a privilege. We don’t have to run for the bus; the bus will stop and wait for us!! Interesting. Though there are designated bus stops, buses will stop when a button is pressed as requested to stop and when they see someone standing on the road to pick them up. Charging points are available at some bus stops. Everything is automatic and quick. They stop appropriately for charging, something comes out and gets hooked to the bus, and within 10 minutes, the bus moves. All bus drivers I have seen are Africans. Lady drivers outnumber men. Most of them are very courteous. They greet when students enter the bus and wish when they get out. It is mutually done. Don’t imagine the bus to be packed. I am talking about university buses called Seminole Express. Seminoles are a tribe of Florida. There is an interesting history of Seminoles, and you may read about it to learn more details about them in the series that is following…….

The administrative officer of FCRR Greg Hutchins drove me to the institute and oriented me to the location, physical structure and people working. Many weren’t there as they have the option to work from home after Covid-19. They do all meetings and most classes online. Their student strength is very much manageable for blended learning. My mentor Prof Yaacov Petscher is a wonderful person and is highly sensitive to my need. A man of few words, he understands without saying things and responds in action. As he was recovering from Cancer, he offered me the full support of the Admin to take me out to introduce to FCRR and the city of Tallahassee. As Greg drove me through the quiet yet beautiful city of Tallahassee, I could see the big buildings of Florida State University (FSU), smart cars parked in large numbers in all the academic areas and the lazy daisy lanes. Houses are made so well with gardens around. Mostly independent houses, but for few student apartments adorned the area. Cars parked inside and on the roads. With the silence and scarce population as compared to India, one would surely wonder who lives there and who drives the cars!!! It is a rare sight to spot human beings or even dogs and cows and our beloved buffaloes on the road. Without any application, requests to people behind the computers, my FSU identity card was made and handed over to me instantly. Bank account was opened so easily and the documents reached in couple of days to my residential address. Knowing the importance of local telephone number, got one sim card into my existing smart phone. Everything was done so efficiently not only because of Greg, but also because of the smooth system that is in place.

The FCRR building is huge, corridors are wide, well carpeted and decorated with pots, paintings and quotations but silent, unlike our corridors where students and staff keep bumping into each other smiling, wishing, whispering and cracking jokes to each other. You have no option than to google to find a place or a person!! There is no one to ask for Gowramma’s room, not even a security guard. In RIE Bhubaneswar a Cheeku Bhai or Gopal Bhai is always around to direct a visitor to my room.

Anyway, the comforts outdo the emotions. I have not had a single day to wait outside the rest room with emergencies. A stark contrast where we often bang doors. I wonder how they remain so clean, well equipped with soaps, wipes, well-functioning flush tanks. Never have I seen a leak of a drop of water in my eight months stay, not just in FCRR rest rooms but in every rest room I used across the country. Rest rooms are made in such a way that you don’t need to open the latch to enter. You can just walk in and latch from inside. The doors never remain open. The automatic door closers are so well functioning. There is no confusion to use the rest room in the country. Wherever you go, the same design, the same location for rest rooms. There are no variations in basic requirements.
The lounge in every corridor of FCRR is with vending machine, microwave oven, refrigerator, coffee maker, tea bags, creamer and sugar. You can walk in anytime to make your choice of food and drink. The items never dry up, staked up well in time.
The office room is with stationary well organized with labels. No Biswa and Seema are there to assist. It is so well maintained you don’t need any one to assist. You pick up what you want and do your work. Every kind of stationary is kept in reachable range to save waste in time in looking around for paper, file, pen, stick pad, cello tape, pins, clips of different size, scissors, printer, colour papers, thick papers, rulers, markers. Take as per your need and use it without the fear of note sheets, stock registers and files.
There is a dining hall you may heat your lunch and eat peacefully all alone. The social construct is different. Not easy here to find a company for sharing food. After lunch usually all take a walk around the beautiful location with large gardens with well-maintained lawn, ponds with water birds. After first two months I found an Indian friend Subrat Mallick from the adjacent research building doing post-doctoral work in Oceanography with whom I could have lunch and walk around.

I was given a spacious well-lit room with all the comforts to work. Double desk top on movable table is a regular feature in every room. It is a pleasure to work on two desktops connected to the same keyboard. We can refer to reading materials in one and do our work in the other without wasting fraction of seconds every time to minimize and maximize windows in the same desk top.
There is no entry time exit time that is recorded. The inner consciousness is the only judge. Work completion is the only requirement. If one is not completing it is their problem they will not get salary and not be recruited for the next term. Everything is clear. There is no mid way or there is never a favour to any. The system is well oiled and functions by itself. Weekly online meetings of the research groups are held to take stock of the work in progress. The director of FCRR has her time to come as routine and conducts brief meetings to know the status of work on each project. To get the feel of the magnitude of research work at FCRR my mentors had given chance to be in meetings of research group that was being carried out as part of a multi institutional project “Reach Every Reader” (RER). It was immense learning just being a listener in the meetings. My mentors – the magnificent Prof Hugh Catts (I fondly call him Bheeshma Pitamaha of reading research) and the kind hearted Prof Yaacov Petscher had given me the freedom to message, call and plan online meetings with them at the time of my need.