The Preeminent Principals of the Year 2022 | TKR

Capt. AJ

rincipals of the

Head of School

Role of Principals in Today's Modern Education

BLACK

BLACK HORSE OF THE EDUCATION!

rowing up as a student, have you seen the

Gprincipal of your school present in the classroom and interacting with pupils like a teacher does? This might be changed over the years, but it is quite a rare sight in major schools. However, though you do not see the personality behind the school's progress, a principal's role in the school's growth and grooming of the students is exceptional.

Editor’s Note

During the schooling years, seeing the school from the four walls of the classrooms, Principals were often found roaming in those empty hallways. Another common picture that pops into our minds is a well-educated person standing at the centre of the stage and addressing the entire school. In the midst of limited interactions that a person has with the principal, one question arises: What exactly does a principal do other than just signing the approval letters?

To answer this, let's skip some of the learning years of life and enter the productive and working years. Throughout their learning arc, the principals influence the entire personality of students that have newly entered the real world. Let that be a person inclined towards creativity, great management skills, or exceptional leadership qualities; the credit for all these things directly or indirectly goes to the principals.

Today, the role of the principal is changing, and they have been heavily involved in the holistic development of students at different stages. Rather than just giving out a result that will help in bringing admissions to the school, the principal has got additional responsibility of managing students, maintaining quality education, helping in contributing to the growing arc of the teachers and non-teaching staff, etc.

Even after actively contributing to the school's growth and indirectly grooming the students for a better future, their role in students' lives is less talked about. The Knowledge Review magazine came up with this edition, 'The Preeminent Principals of the Year, 2022,' to address and bring stories of such influential principals to light.

In this magazine, you will find stories of prominent principals from different parts of India and how they are contributing to changing the educational sector for good. From highlighting their role in developing the school's growth to grooming students towards an ideal life, let's find out what makes these principals stand out in a highly intertwined and diverse country like India.

Have a happy and insightful read! T R

Ashlesh Khadse ashlesh.khadse@insightssuccess.com

Capt. AJ Singh

Agnes Davies

Artcles

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Head of School Role of Principals in Today's Modern Education

Leadership Qualities Characteristics of a Good Leader in Education

o n t e n t s

reminent e rncials ip

BriefName of the Personality

Capt AJ Singh Headmaster

Name of the Institute

Sherwood High sherwoodhigh.com Pinegrove School pinegrove.in

Mrs Agnes Davies (MA, MPhil, BEd) is currently the Director Academics & Principal Sherwood High, Bangalore.

The founding headmaster and director of Pinegrove School, director, St Soldier's School, Panchkula, chairperson of the IPSC and also a member of the Board of Governors of the CBSE.

Sainik School sainikschooltvm.nic.in

Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science srcas.ac.in

Col Dhirendra Kumar assumed appointment as Principal of Sainik School Kazhakootam. He is a P.G. & M Phil holder from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is also B.Ed,NET & JRF qualified.

Dr B.L.Shivakumar is the Principal at Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science Coimbatore, Tamil nadu. He has about 25 years of experience in teaching, research and administration.

Dr.A.S. Khemnar Director of Institute

Mrs Sheila Alexander Principal

Government Institute of Forensic Science gifsa.ac.in

Lilavatibai Podar High School lilavatibaipodarschool.com

Dr A S Khemnar is Director of Government Institute of Forensic Science. He brings a hands on experience to the table and gave the prestigious institute a proper pathway for the future.

Mrs Sheila Alexander has been associated with Lilavatibai Podar for the last decade and a half, she has had an illustrious career spanning almost three decades of teaching.

Shabnam Bhowmick Principal

Hiranandani Foundation School hiranandanifoundation schoolpowai.com

Vidya Niketan School tmeet.org Silver Oaks silveroaks.co.in Podar International school podareducation.org

Principal at Tata Motors Employees Education Trust's Vidya Niketan English Medium school. Vidya Niketan school Pimpri.

Mrs Kalyani Patnaik is an experienced School Principal with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry.

An Educator by profession and a Trainer by passion. Director Education. Silver Oaks International Schools, President.

Shabnam Bhowmick B.Sc (Chem), M.A, BMC, B.ED Principal, Podar International SchoolMuzaffarpur, Podar education network.

Dhirendra Kumar Principal

Dr B.L.Shivakumar Principal

Mrs. Bani Roy Choudhury Principal Seetha Murty Director Education

Mrs. Kalyani Patnaik Principal

Agnes Davies Principal

Capt. AJ Singh

The Wind Beneath the Wings of Pinegrove School

“

We believe in the creation of 'exalted lives' by nurturing the body, mind, heart, and soul and aim to reach the stars of achievement through toil and determination.

“

TThe prerequisites necessary for the making of great personalities are the qualities of discipline, dedication, perseverance, and fortitude all of which are in reality ingrained into the very fabric of their existence.

One such personality who has dedicated his entire life and energy for promoting the noble cause of providing quality education to pupils is Capt. AJ Singh After having served in the Armed Forces for ten years, he decided to shift his focus towards the education sector.

Executive Director Capt. AJ Singh founded Pinegrove School with an unrelenting will to contribute and serve society by providing better educational facilities for students in the green environs of Himachal Pradesh. Under his stewardship Pinegrove School has grown by leaps and bounds into one of the finest and most sought-after residential schools, the story that the stakeholders narrate with pride and passion.

"Switching from a completely divergent profession was not easy. Four years in a day school were tough and gruelling till I decided that my calling was a residential school and then came up

The Preeminent Principals of the Year 2022

with the idea of involving myself in one. The genesis and the growth of Pinegrove School, a co-educational, purely residential, English medium public school affiliated to the CBSE, Delhi up to Senior Secondary Level, into an ebullient ray of light is a long and eventful one. From a handful of students in a small non-descript campus of 2.5 acres in 1991 to a colossal architectural marvel that's spread across 25 acres of salubrious yet challenging topography in District Solan of Himachal Pradesh is a dream come true," says Capt. AJ Singh.

Learning from the Best Passion is what drives us towards a particular goal. However, it is the motivator or the role model that inspires to work towards that goal. For Capt. AJ Singh that role model was his father, Late Wing Commander S.S. Gyani. Having a similar story of serving the army and later dedicating his life to education, Wing Commander S.S. Gyani was an eminent and

progressive educationist who considered education as the best service one can do for humanity. "Not patronising any profession, he strongly felt that it was more worthwhile than being in the Indian Army," expresses Capt. AJ Singh about his father.

Moulding Students into Good, Great and Godly Individuals Capt. AJ Singh, like his father, believes that education is the best service to humankind. Wherein one gets the opportunity to nurture and shape the heart, mind, and soul of the students and mould them into Good, Great, and Godly individuals. With that vision in mind, Capt. AJ Singh allowed Pinegrove to spread its wings, and in the year 1998, at Subathu, Pinegrove School got its second branch.

Moreover, the school campus is designed and curated in such a manner that the school's mission statement resonates in every nook and corner. "We believe in the creation of 'exalted lives' by nurturing the body, mind, heart, and soul and aim to reach the

stars of achievement through toil and determination. Hence, we dream, plan, endeavour, and pray in that order to achieve our mission," says Capt. AJ Singh.

State-of-the-art Modern Campus

Talking about the campus, Pinegrove School at Subathu is situated on the banks of a perennial brook which heightens the serenity of the campus. The gurgling of cascading waters creates a melodic symphony in the exotic valley of Kuthar on the SubathuKuthar-Kasauli – State Highway, at the height of about 3300 feet. The Dharampur branch is located at about 5000ft from the sea level on the Dharampur-Kasauli Road, 3 KM off the main Kalka-Shimla National Highway (NH-22) amidst the pristine idyllic environs of dense Pine forest and lush foliage with avian species serenading its inhabitants with veritable chirpings.

The school houses state-of-the-art wi-fi-enabled campuses, smart classrooms with hybrid capability,

“ In a world where knowledge is a mouseclick away, the role of educator must change too.

“

Capt. AJ Singh Executive Director, Pinegrove School

well-equipped science laboratories, tastefully designed dormitories, multi-sport Indoor Sports Complex , multiple floodlit playfields, ovalshaped Cricket Stadium 'The Arena' and a state-of-the-art auditorium 'The Colosseum', to name a few.

Apart from this, the school has installed solar panels to generate 100 KW of electricity. Apart from having about 20 Lakh litres of Rainwater harvesting tanks , it has also made serious efforts in recharging groundwater as well.

A Habit of Self-Discipline through Experiential-based Learning Maintaining a high happiness quotient and inculcating the habit of selflearning in students is challenging. However, under the efficient leadership of Capt. AJ Singh, Pinegrove School, has found a way to achieve that effectively. The school has started programs like Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) and awarding of Affirmative Measures, both of which are designed to handle varying degrees of intensity amongst children.

Over the years, the school has succeeded in grooming morally responsible individuals, which is no mean feat in the present scenario all the while, promoting numerous sustainable initiatives like organic farming and dairy farming under Eco

To strengthen the diversity amongst its pupils, Pinegrove School regularly organises the Staff and Student International Exchange Program with a number of institutes in the UK, USA, and South Africa.

Adapt, Adopt, and Redefine Emphasising on the new methodology of modern education, Capt. AJ Singh says, "In a world where knowledge is a mouse-click away, the role of educator must change too. Keeping pace with this progressive outlook, we at Pinegrove adapted, adopted, and redefined the learning methodologies to reduce the knowledge gap and provided a secure online platform to all the students and faculty members."

The School has adapted well to the online teaching methodologies be it delivering lecture through video conferencing, giving assignment,

administering online tests, sharing notes, uploading homework or viewing recordings of the lessons at a later time by students if they missed their online class due to some technical snag.

The Executive Director adds,"In view of the implementation of NEP-2020 a 5-day week teaching model with an activity-based curriculum for Saturdays and Sundays has been introduced for children up to Class 10 with the prime objective of competency-based learning through latest pedagogy and to provide improved participation in Public Speaking, Sports, Activities, Visual and Performing Art, Social Service, Experiential Learning, Knowledge Development, Dual-Language Proficiency, and Problem Solving, as these play a vital role in shaping one's personality."

Trust the Learning Process and Grow While explaining his process of

Club apart from being a Zero Waste Organisation for the last 4 years.

dealing with and overcoming problems, Capt. AJ Singh shares, "In this volatile period in the history of mankind, clear vision and quick solutions are the need of the hour. The challenges that we face as a school leader is not only to take measures to guarantee continuity of learning but also to ensure a safe learning environment for the students. One must adopt new methodologies and train and equip our staff to meet the challenges of the future, be it continuous upgradation of the teaching-learning process or ensuring maintenance of high order pastoral care."

Roadmap to Effective Future

Sharing his opinions on the future aspects of Pinegrove School, Capt. AJ Singh states that their endeavour has always been about making teaching and learning a wholesome affair for students, irrespective of the student

being at home or in school. The school has in fact devised an effective way to enhance student engagement by weaving the nine C's into the curriculum that aims to increase their knowledge Content , boost their Confidence , hone their Communication skills, ensure maintenance of high degree pastoral Care, instil Compassion for fellow human beings, enhance their Creativity, develop Courage to bear the consequences of one's action, build strength of Character and finally develop Common-Sense which would ultimately lead to the ability of Problem Solving by acquisition of all the C's.

Highlighting the schools' aim for the future, Capt. AJ Singh says, "All the efforts are directed towards developing Physical Quotient, Intelligence Quotient, Emotional Quotient and Spiritual Quotient of the child so that we continue to maintain our USPs of being a Bully-free, Smoke-Free, Cashfree, Mobile-free, Drug-Free, ShoutFree, Punishment Free and Anger-free institution where children feel safe and secure and blossom into confident individuals."

Educator's Advice to the Future Educators

In his advice to youth who wish to venture into the education sector as

educators, Capt. AJ Singh said, "As an educationist, my advice would be that we need to understand that education is a social-charitable-service and all excess of income over expenditure is incidental in nature, and the motive behind stepping into the field of education service shouldn't be only for making a profit. All incidental excesses must be used for further development of the institution so that the students benefit from the policies of the management."

He concludes, "The school management also needs to be transparent and keep pace with the shifting dynamics of the learning process with regular interaction, discussions, and anonymous feedback from the stakeholders over various issues in order to address and plug any discontentment or dissatisfaction."

“ Teaching children to coexist with nature be it segregation of waste at the source, organically composting kitchen waste, dairy farming, agriculture, treating sewage water and using it for gardening purposes and not a kilogram of waste produced by the school goes to the Municipal Dump Yards.

“

Head of School

Principals in Today's Modern Education

Role of

W successful?hy are certain schools most

Why do certain institutions gain high importance over others?

Could it be the school infrastructure? Or the facilities provided? Or the teachers? Or any other reason unknown.

Probably, the most logical answer would be principal. Yes, the silent yet the most important role is that of the principal. This point may probably get maximum nods.

When we hear or read the word

principal, the first thing that comes to our mind is our school or college principal. Whoever the individual might have been come up as a figure of inspiration, discipline, command and respect.

A principal is the single most important governing authority of a school or of a mid-level educational institution. He is a teacher, supervisor, administrator, manager, decision-maker, role model, guardian and much more that can be added to this extensive profile.

On a simple note, the school structure comprises of the students, teachers, librarian, office assistants,

housekeeping staff, security staff, accountants, store and inventory manager, supervisors, and administrative staff, all working in their respective departments in a set hierarchy under the control of the principal.

A Principal is responsible for the smooth functioning of the school in every functional aspect, including teaching, administrative, operational, human resources and accountability. The responsibilities of an average principal are listed below:

Ÿ Set the School curriculum and yearly syllabus with the assistance of the subject teachers.

Ÿ Supervise and manage the teaching staff for effective and timely teaching.

Ÿ Communicate through the coordinators with the parents of the students on the school curriculum, new developments, exams, holidays, and the students' progress.

Ÿ Organise and monitor the entire functioning of the institution.

Ÿ Take deliberate efforts in the institution's marketing for gathering new admissions, generating voluntary donations for developments and school participation in inter-school competitions in sports, languages, elocution, mathematics etc.

Ÿ Check and monitor the accountability of the school accounting heads in terms of expenses, fee collections, maintenance bills, taxes, salaries etc.

Ÿ Plan and set and execute the organisational goals and relevant objectives.

Ÿ Should have a strong vision and a mission for the future.

Ÿ Ensure that the school students, teachers, and other staff members observe strict discipline.

Ÿ Act as a leader to supervise, guide, and monitor the teachers' performance, work, and requirements.

Ÿ Represent the school body in the corporates, government sector, and directors and trustees' management.

Ÿ Analyse and organise the timely recruitment of the teachers and the staff members for the continuous functioning of the school in the respective calendar year.

Ÿ Be an inspirational and influential idol for the students, guiding them with values and principles.

Ÿ Plan and inculcate the culture and

the spirit of nationalism in the students through various events, activities, competitions and related games.

Ÿ Research on improvement and development of new educational pedagogy for elevating the school's standard across the nation and abroad.

The responsibilities of any principal look diverse and comprehensive and encompass the entire work of the school.

Retaining The Rhythm

A Principal is responsible for the smooth functioning of day-to-day updates and interactions of every core department of the school. Assessment of all functions through regular meetings and a systematic reporting system ensuring that all departments function properly according to the set task routines.

Empowering the Teachers Teachers are the souls of any educational institution.

A principal conducts regular meetings and discussions with the teaching staff to comprehend the statement. They should understand their limitations, challenges and doubts to provide feasible solutions.

The principal ensures the proper arrangements of the teachers with respect to the modern teaching aids, accessories and facilities. Teachers are given complete liberty to teach the subjects per the curriculum and plan the schedule as per the yearly syllabus.

They also encourage the teachers to undertake special training sessions on psychological, linguistic and presentation skills while supporting

them in handling the student challenges in interacting with critical situations.

Elevating the Student Performance Teachers do their duties with complete dedication and devotion. However, the principal also monitors their reports and advice them on taking differential training sessions to ensure the development of all the students.

In some instances, he identifies bright students and takes special initiatives to prepare them for government scholarship programmes. While in the cases of the slow learners, they conduct some extra batches to practice and train the struggling ones to learn with effort.

Nurturing Oneness within the Institution

A principal works with a broad vision to ensure the growth and development of the institution. This is practised with the smooth functioning of the entire pedagogy, improving the quality of education, and encouraging the students to learn and develop their innate skills. Developing practices and activities promote strong values of culture, discipline, virtues and selfdevelopment.

The Silent King, Behind the Curtain There are numerous challenges the principal school needs to face and handle effectively and smartly. That's why this position, though looks very rosy, is a seat of high responsibility and competence. Every great thing or victory of the school students or teachers winning awards, the principal is the active motivator who discreetly monitors and initiates the learning culture. The principal ensures the learning and progress of the students through value-based teaching.

Mrs. Agnes Davies Director Academics and Principal

Mrs. Agnes Davies

Enhancing Modern Educaon with Finesse

Principals of the Year

Education and experience are the two elements that draw the roadmap of one's career. Students in this modern age are getting to the point of education that will help them extensively to make a better future. However, it is the responsibility of a teacher to impart guidance drawing from their experience.

Looking at the changing nature of the education space in India, several educationists have changed their teaching style to indulge and convey their experiences with the children from their teachings.

Addressing the unique needs of the industries and for the complete development of the children, educators in India are effectively transforming the modern educational space.

One such educator who has enhanced the education space with her incredible leadership and making her experience yield significant changes in her students' lives is Mrs.

Agnes Davies , MA, MPhil, BEd, the Director Academics and Principal of Sherwood High, Bangalore

Along with her incredible leadership skills, she has also brought a rich traveling experience and discipline that she inherited from her father in her school's eco-system.

The Conviction and Early Progression

Mrs. Agnes Davies says, "My life has swayed from the pandemonium of classrooms, the rough and ready routine of an Army home, and the exotic bucket list of a traveller. It may seem like a jig-saw puzzle as they appear not to have anything in common at all. Luckily for me somewhere, somehow it has all fallen in place." With a Naval Officer father and an Armoured Corps husband, she has seen a lot of cantonments, heard the bugles, and packed their suitcases every two years. Her home moved from the seascapes to mountains and quaint little places with unfamiliar names!

"It has given me friends across boundaries, a pan India outlook, and a love for nature. The Educationist is in my DNA with a 'can do' attitude to nurture students. I unwind by trotting off around the globe to wander through the unknown and wonder at the beauty of nature," she adds.

Mrs. Agnes began her career as a college lecturer in 1982. Due to the Army postings, she moved around India, working in several institutions. A professional milestone came when she was selected to be part of the AustraliaIndia educational program organized by Australian Education International May-Jun 2008. She gained an

Online education has opened up so many possibilities though in limited domains of cognition and psychomotor. Interactivity and learner engagement is at the core of any form of education, and online education is no exception to it.

in-depth understanding of their curriculum, school practices, and assessments. She visited five schools in Australia and gave presentations on various topics.

Her Educational visit to Malta organized by the University of Malta for Heads of selected schools from Delhi in 2010 was another milestone. She gained insights into pathways and attended Edward Bono's workshop on 'Six Thinking Hats'.

But the turning point in Mrs. Agnes Davies's career came in as she was appointed as the Principal of Loreto Convent, Delhi. She says, "My long innings at the global chain of Loreto Institutions were professionally enriching. During my 13 years, I am fortunate to have imbibed the holistic value systems and exceptional ethos of Loreto."

Presently, she is the Director Academics and Principal of Sherwood High since 14 Feb 2015. Sherwood High is one of the Best ICSE Schools in South Bangalore and puts the child at the core of all activities. It was recently honored by Education Today (India School Merit Awards 2021-22) with a Trophy & Certificate of Excellence for Psychological Well Being of Students.

Role Model and Inspiration

Mrs. Agnes says, "My father encouraged me to step into education service. If it is viewed as service and not a job, you can reach out to many individuals and make a difference in their lives." She believes that the actions of the educators could become the stepping stones to form and transform that would help them contribute to society.

She adds, "My father believed that our value system defines us and not the rat race which we see in the society. We read so much about the ideas and lives of great people, and it impacts our mindsets. It was always about values you cherish, attitudes you hold in esteem, and a sense of honor."

"As Tennyson's musings are echoed by Ulysses, I am a part of all that I have met; Yet "All experience is an arch where through gleams that untravelled world whose margin fades for ever and for ever when I move." Hence I didn't have one role model but several," Mrs Anges.

Sherwood High and its Vision

Sherwood High is rated amongst the best schools in South Bangalore. Mrs Agnes recalls, "In June 2010, the Board Members of the Emmar Trust (Regd) had the vision of creating an institution that was Indian at heart, nurturing ideal Indian citizens, inculcating universal values with a global outlook."Recently awarded for the Best Academic infrastructure and scholastic environment, Sherwood High has created a home away from home for its students."

The school's motto- 'Learn- Lead-Succeed' aptly emphasizes intellectual dynamism, academic vigour, and promotion of Sports, Societal and Environmental concerns through a harmonious blend of mental, physical and spiritual faculties to lead and succeed. We provide the stable bedrock that ignites the spark within the child and nurtures its students.

Aiming to equalize opportunities, Sherwood High provides free ships and scholarships to deserving students.

Outlook of Sherwood High

Mrs Agnes believes in encouraging the teachers to embrace new teaching strategies that engage students' attention and integrate the text book with life outside the classroom. She says, "I would like to inculcate a strong sense of societal & environmental concerns in the student. I would align the curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities to what students will experience as global citizens."

At Sherwood High, the students are encouraged to express themselves and speak freely. Mrs. Agnes asserts that the students should find their identities and learn to think critically, which will lead to their empowerment. "We must have school practices that will provide a support system at school if the family is going through a personal crisis so that student does not drop out," she further adds. She has

witnessed financial support and scholarships for deserving cases who have tided over challenging situations.

Challenges and Resolve

The designation of Principal tags along with humongous tasks and responsibilities. According to Mrs. Agnes, the primary duty is creating a safe, nurtured, and vibrant climate for learning and a working zone where all stakeholders are welcomed and respected. She says while addressing the same, "A high priority is to maintain student discipline. There are increased physical and mental wellness issues among students. Families go through upheavals, and students may have experienced trauma, which manifests itself as aggression, self-harm, anxiety, depression, or violence towards others. Digital addiction is also on the rise, impacting personality in unseen ways. It becomes imperative to provide a supportive environment that takes care of mental wellness in ways that are incidental and not overt."

Mrs Agnes believes that a significant focus has to be put to ensure a continuous progression in the study processes and outcomes of the students towards improving student achievement on the campus. She says, "Wherever required, promote personalized learning, which will enhance student motivation. It is critical to keep students at the forefront when making decisions and changes. We have to ensure teachers feel valued and supported. We must increase the involvement of the parent community.

We must be cooperative and committed to working collaboratively and valuing the contributions of others for a common purpose.

The institution should have an ethos whereby sustained practices build smoother relationships towards all members of our community."

Awards and Recognition

Mrs Agnes Davies has been recognised and awarded for her service to the education space on several occasions. Some of the awards are listed below:

Ÿ 2016- Best District Principal Award , Karnataka from Science Olympiad Foundation, Delhi for outstanding Vision, Leadership Qualities & Academic Initiatives.

Ÿ 2017- Jury's Choice Award for one of India's Top 50 ICSE Schools by Education Today.

Ÿ 2017- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Award from Avantika, Delhi A Group of Contemporary Artists & Intellectuals for demonstrating hard work & dedication.

Ÿ 2019-2020 Greatest Principal Award from Humming Bird Education Ltd for imparting Excellence in Education & producing Outstanding Results in International Level Olympiads.

Ÿ 2020-2021 Awarded as one of the "Top 50 Effective Principals" for exemplary contribution in the field of education 2020 by Education Today.

Ÿ 2022- Trophy & Certificate of Excellence for "Psychological Well Being of Students" by Education Today in India School Merit Awards 2021-22 held at The Chancery Pavilion, Bangalore.

Ÿ 2022- Trophy & Certificate for Excellence in Education Infrastructure and Scholastic Facilities by Eldrok India in the K-12 Summit held at Taj Westend, Bangalore.

Expert Advice from an Educationist

"The education sector is a child-centered service, and academic programmes require in-class presence; hence, a teacher should regularly be present at the workplace," highlighted Mrs. Davies. She believes that educators must prioritize the expectations of students and provide mature guidance that will empathise with the student's voice.

She says, "It is crucial to upgrade skills and knowledge annually. A teacher must possess the grit necessary to make

Sherwood High has a priority to educate the children so that they find the niche for themselves in the world of work, they build their capacity and also self-employ in this world of competition.

personal sacrifices to ensure that every target and goal is reached every year."

Envisioning an Optimistic Future

Regarding the school's future, Mrs Agnes says, "We raise our children with rich hearts to appreciate differences, embrace uniqueness, and stand against prejudices and stereotypes. They should continue to think and learn beyond the classroom to build an empowering and compassionate society."

"Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization." Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Mrs Agnes sees an optimistic future with enhanced hard work and humaneness. She aims to set the standards in the education society.

Characteristics

of a Good Leader

ducational leaders have a

direct impact on young minds. Most individuals are introduced to the leadership concept for the first time in their lives during their school and college years. Our first impressions of ideal leadership qualities are formed by observing principals, headteachers, and teachers' examples.

Qualities

in Education

Educational leaders have an immediate influence on the overall environment of the institution. Their work efficiency inspires their colleagues to work with equal energy to achieve the establishment's collective purpose. The more they are enthusiastic about their job, the more they create a positive atmosphere within the organization.

A leader's readiness to learn, unlearn and relearn mindset enables the educational organization to be progressive.

Logically, a person cannot be perfect in every aspect of leadership. Nevertheless, with little effort and conscious choices, one can certainly practice and showcase essential leadership traits.

Below are some of the essential qualities that every educational leader should have to make their leadership efficient and exemplary.

Passion

Passion is the foremost quality required for anyone to reach the upper ranks of any profession. Since the educational sector is elementary interlinked to building society, the leaders within the sector should be driven by their passion for transforming society through educational means.

This passion factor will also help educational leaders be self-motivated and self-starters. Moreover, it will also come in handy to motivate others, build teams, and actively collaborate with colleagues in the organization.

Visionary

Strong leaders work towards fulfilling their vision instead of being shaped by events. A leader must be visionary in his leadership approach. Educational leaders must know what is best for the organization, teachers, and students to improve their overall learning arc of academic, social, and emotional well being.

stIt is a fast-paced world of the 21 century, and it demands that educational platforms be progressive and futuristic to equip students with the training to tackle the problems that may arrive in the future.

Courage Education is the most important field where courage needs to be exercised consciously and frequently. But still, when one comes across conversations involving education, the mention of courage is often sidelined and rarely mentioned. However, it is to be noted that the courageous pursuits of educational leaders bring about changes, or rather reforms within society, especially in India's case.

The educational systems are always going to put new or old challenges

before the leaders. And leaders will have to have the courage to make impactful decisions and then stand by them every time.

The leaders will have to push for changes that are good for the overall development of the organization. Also, there is a slight chance that these changes will have resistance or a lack of interest inside and outside the organization. In such a scenario, leaders will have to demonstrate their courage to stand by what they believe.

Communication and Collaboration

Communication quality defines the strength of the leadership of any leader. In an educational organization, the leaders have to have continuous communication with the authorities, teachers, and, most importantly, the students. The leaders need to communicate one-on-one with individuals from every department and occasionally their entire staff.

Exceptional educational leaders are those who follow an open-door policy for colleagues to share their input, ideas, and feedback. Being able to effectively share the vision and mission of the organization's stakeholders motivates others to work in a focused manner.

Empowering Teachers Teachers are closest to the students. Their efficiency matters a lot for students and the organization's progress. Empowered teachers can deliver teaching in the most efficient manner to the students.

Successful educational leaders believe in the organization's teachers. They share some of the important responsibilities with teachers too. The teachers are trusted with the projects in a manner that makes them feel responsible and accountable for the

progress of the projects assigned by the leaders.

This empowerment given by the leaders enables teachers to develop their own leadership qualities too. Also, trusting teachers with projects boosts their confidence and belief in leadership. It multiplies their efforts and enthusiasm.

Innovative

The ability to be innovative will enable you and your educational organization to reach new levels of success. Gone are the days when classrooms and teachers had to follow the same routines year after year. Today, the education campus has to be vibrant and ready to adapt to the new innovations and research that are happening in every other subject.

To make an educational campus and classrooms modernized, the leaders must take the initiative. They will have to make sure that teachers and students are best equipped. Being able to change the classrooms and other classroom facilities would provide the best teaching and learning experience for the students.

The Bottom Line

Now that we've reached the end, it is to be noted that the above qualities, while important, are just the tip of the iceberg. Once an educator starts their journey into the industry, they will have doors of opportunity in the disguise of challenges open for them.

Along with all the mentioned qualities above, one will also have to improvise as per the time and situation presented by the challenges. In the end, what really matters for educational leaders is just the readiness to bring their vision to realization by self-trusting and not being disturbed by unnecessary distractions.

Shabnam

Bhowmick

Balancing Quality Education with Holistic Development

EEducational Space in India is titling to find the ideal balance between the New Education Policy, 2020 and the traditional globally adopted and accepted method of education. While the most prominent schools are also struggling to cope with the industry requirement, some schools, colleges, and institutes are gliding through this high tide of the enhanced education system.

As the philanthropist and prominent American businessmen Eli Brown once said, "You can have great teachers, but if you don't have a good principal, you won't have a good school." His quote justifies the dangling situation of the education system in India and how good principals are shaping the students' future.

Over the years, the principal's role as an eminent educator has evolved deliberately. Rather than just guiding students to a bright future, the principal turns out to be the catalyst for imbibing a child's life values and ethics.

Shabnam Bhowmick , the Principal of Podar International School, Muzaffarpur, has been an eminent leader that is leading her school and students towards a bright future. Being groomed in an atmosphere that revolves around teachers and educators, teaching and managing came naturally to her.

Being a teacher, journalist, and prolific leader, she addressed the problem in the

education space. She found the ideal balance in this transition phase of education in India. Let's look at a journalist's journey to becoming one of the most preeminent principals in India.

Journalist to Educator: An Adventure of a Lifetime Shabnam Bhowmick grew up in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Being a child of two prominent educators in central government schools, she grew up and groomed alongside educators her entire life. Teaching as a career choice seemed very obvious to her, yet she chose what she enjoyed the most, journalism.

However, she completed her bachelor's in Chemistry from Pondicherry University, but she lost her father during her final year of graduation. Honouring her late father's last wish, she completed her bachelor's degree in education and enrolled on the Mass Communication course at Nagpur University and joined the then-largest circulated newspaper. Later adding another laurel to her name, she also received her master's degree in English Literature from Nagpur University and worked as a professional journalist for ten years.

It was in the year 2010 when she turned to the teaching profession, starting her journey as a primary teacher. With constant upgrades, professional development courses, and

teaching experience in some of the prominent schools across the country, she joined the Podar International School as the Founder Principal for the Muzaffarpur branch.

Choice by Compulsion

Looking back at the start of her journey in the education sector, Shabnam Bhowmick says, "I came into teaching not really by choice, but by compulsion. After the birth of my first child, it was difficult to continue in journalism due to the erratic schedule. I decided to join a school 'for a few years'. I joined Edify School in Nagpur as the homeroom teacher of grade 2. I was in charge of a class of 6-7-yearolds and immediately fell in love with the super energetic, smart group. Soon I realised teaching was something I really truly enjoyed: this was my calling."

This incredible love for teaching changed her perception of education, and from her long teaching career of ten years, she had formed some strong bonds with her students. "I feel privileged that many of my students from all over India are in touch with me regularly," she added.

Learning from the Best

Shabnam Bhowmick's parents were teachers, and they were her role models in her quest to become a prominent educator. She learned from her father that students are family as

well, and we as educators should always be there for them.

Expressing her views on her parent's teaching style, she says, "Both my parents, even after over two decades of experience in teaching the same classes, would prepare for their next class, as they felt that it would be disrespectful to the students to walk into a class unprepared. Even today, I prepare well for the next day, and I train my teachers to do the same. Another thing that I learnt from my parents was never ever to snub the curiosity of a child. No question is 'silly' or 'irrelevant'. Kids have questions; they have every right to get the answer."

Podar International School's Preeminent Principal Podar International School was established in 1927 Sheth Anandilal Podar with a focus to drive and motivate the traditional Indian values of honesty, integrity, and service. The father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi stands testimony for this fact as he was the first president of Anandilal Podar Trust.

Today, Podar group has 136 Podar International Schools and 79 Podar Partner Schools with a combined strength of 1,80,000 and the support of

7,600 dedicated and loyal staff members. Following are the mission, vision, and values of the school:

Mission : Podar International School is on a mission to provide opportunities to students through a stimulating safe and supportive environment for attaining personal mastery and team spirit through collaborative learning.

Vision : To achieve excellence by creating globally competent, ethical and high performing world citizens through world-class education.

The Preeminent Principals of the Year 2022

I consider myself lucky to find an organisation that does not only preach holistic education but also practices it.

Core Values : Innovation, Openness, Committed and Long-Term Goal

Overcoming the Metamorphosis of Teaching Practices

Emphasising on the challenges faced by Principals in general, Shabnam Bhowmick says, "The biggest challenge faced by Principals across the country is bringing parents to accept the metamorphosis of teaching practices. Teaching is now conceptbased, whereas parents find it difficult to understand why the age-old tried and tested method of rote-learning should be a thing of the past. Extensive use of technology in education is still frowned upon, as the role of a teacher is not as visible to them as earlier."

She also stressed on the fact that keeping a team of great teachers also contributes heavily to maintaining the education quality at the school. "Teaching is not a profession of choice for the youth of today. But the society expects teachers to be absolute masters of their subjects as well as everything else they do in the school, including igniting young minds," she added.

Accomplishments

Ÿ Founder Principal, Podar International School, Muzaffarpur.

Ÿ Posted as Observer and Head Examiner for CBSE Board exams.

Ÿ Conceptualised a three-day mega inter-school event, "LitFest" in my previous school. Successfully conducted the event for four years.

Ÿ During my tenure as the Vice Principal, the previous institution bagged 3rd Rank in Times Education Awards for two consecutive years.

Awards

Ÿ Certificate of recognition for extraordinary contribution in the field of education by Best Principals in 2022

Ÿ Times Woman Extraordinaire Award in 2020 for contribution to education

Ÿ

Best Zonal Teacher Award by Science Olympiad Foundation in 2020

Envisioning the future of Podar International School, Shabnam Bhowmick expresses, "I consider myself lucky to find an organisation that does not only preach holistic education but also practices it. Students in my school are taught Sanskrit shlokas, and classical music and are also encouraged to create their own rap songs."

Being set in the rural setting in Bihar, Shabnam aims to ensure that the dream with which the students have joined the school is materialised. She also encourages the students to be updated about the happenings worldwide while exposing them to a variety of books, music, cuisine, culture and art forms.

Ÿ

Dainik Jagran Guru Samman for outstanding contribution to the development of education in Bihar in 2018 and 2019

Ÿ Nation Builder Award by Rotary Club Patna City Samrat in 2017

Education as a Tool of Empowerment

Shabnam Bhowmick considers education as the key to the overall development of society. Stressing on empowerment, she says, "The Podar Group is proud of the fact that they promote inclusive education. No child coming to any Podar International School is ever turned down. The dedicated Inclusive Education Cell continuously trains teachers and monitors the development of special children in our schools. My school does not conduct any admission tests or parents' interviews for admission. Every child is treated as equal, and education is provided to everyone."

Preaching Holistic Education for a Bright Future

"I feel the most important thing to teach children is to be responsible: towards the society, our country and the Earth. There are a few projects that are in the pipeline that will make my school the most energy efficient and eco-friendly school in the region," she added.

A Principal's Advice to Future Educators

From growing up in the neighbourhood of teachers to becoming one of the preeminent principals of India, Shabnam Bhowmick shares a piece of advice to future educators, "Teachers have the ability to impact the lives of children; they have the opportunity to touch the future. Those who want to be teachers should never forget that they are handling human lives. They will be watched, and their actions will be emulated by their students."

"Teaching is a responsible profession, and teachers go through a lot of pressure to live up to the expectation of the society. Also, they should be ready to keep updating themselves and be aware of the world around them," she added.

Teachers have the ability to impact the lives of children; they have the opportunity to touch the future.

Shobna

Dhamija

Dealing with Challenges in Education- Head On!

WWhat is the most common trait of the world's most successful people throughout human existence? Perhaps leadership, or optimism! Many would say that there is no specific recipe to success in any walk of life.

One might also discover that sometimes success knocks on the door unannounced. Success's fair credit is diverted to a mere 'Accident' at such times.

The story of Archimedes accidentally discovering the theory of Buoyancy when he jumped into a swimming pool holds to be a classic example. The theory of Buoyancy and the science of Fluid Mechanics owes a lot to this accident.

But does success really depend on fate?

Shobna Dhamija, Principal at Silver Oaks International School, utterly defies this question through her exceptional contribution to education for over 20 years.

And it is no accident! But a combination of unwavering perseverance and unmatched passion for fulfilling one's dreams.

The Knowledge Review caught up with the seasoned educator to comprehend and share a slice of her wisdom with our readers.

Journey of a Profound Educator Shobna has taught in various schools and colleges in India and USA for over 20 years. She has a background in design and commerce. She started her career as a designer and visiting faculty in a design college. After moving to California, she pursued advanced education courses and started working in colleges and schools with children of diverse nationalities and cultures, where she realized her instinctive passion and joy for working with children.

After moving to India, she joined Silver Oaks, Bangalore as a full-time faculty since the inception of its first campus in 2013 as a founding teacher and coordinator. She discovered the school to be a unique blend of rooted eastern and progressive western culture. The school's inspiring ecosystem and transformational leadership gave her opportunities to grow in her role. Later she joined as a head of school in their newly founded second campus of Silver Oaks in Whitefield, Bangalore.

Shobna believes that the role of a teacher is to facilitate students in selfdiscovery. She is passionate about empowering learners to think, lead and sustain a lifelong love of learning. She endeavours to build diverse classrooms where students' talents and unique learning styles are celebrated.

Source of Motivation and Intent

Shobna Dhamija belongs to a family of educators. While growing up, she has always observed her mother welcoming her students to their home

The Preeminent Principals of the Year 2022

to support them beyond academics, to express and articulate confidently for various competitions. She marveled at her passion and energy to balance her personal and professional life with zest throughout her career of 38 years. These qualities touched Shobna deeply and became a source of her inspiration when she stepped into the field of education. Even to this date, her mother continues to be her first role model. She also credits her English teacher in high school, who has motivated her to take up challenges, cope with changes, and become independent in making decisions.

Driving Values of the Silver Oaks

Shobna has been working with Silver Oaks International School for nearly a decade now. While speaking about the school's mission, she asserts, "Silver Oaks stands for its mission to impart quality education and groom young people who will live for a purpose, learn to apply, lead with determination and leave a timeless legacy."

The Silver Oaks School believes in an inside-out approach of Character first and Competence next. Whether teachers or learners, the school creates an environment

Shobna Dhamija Principal, Silver Oaks International School

I believe challenges are the opportunities to learn and evolve from your comfort zone and cope with changes.

where people find harmony in themselves, build the capacity to identify and solve problems, and become contributors to society as they grow up. Shobna adds, "I have been very impressed with how our students embody these values in their personal and professional lives even after graduating from school."

Embracing Transformation

Shobna instructs, "Virtual learning has necessitated the SilverOak school community to integrate digital learning and sustain learners' interest by coconstructing the learning together."

The Silver Oaks School's priority has always been its students' learning continuity and well-being. This required nurturing a deep bond between teachers and students and preparing them to develop selfresponsibility for their learning. The school thus equipped the teachers with training, digital resources, and flexibility.

Silver Oaks School has successfully facilitated learning online, hybrid, and face-to-face modes for all grades. "Our parent community in primary grades teamed up with the school to make learning interactive and individualized. We ensured the morning assemblies were carefully planned with well-being

sessions and student-led assembly, which became very popular. The onehour learning session at the school included interactions, writing, and reflecting. I am proud to say that our students have done an excellent job in learning how to learn via virtual classrooms," Shobna adds.

Furthermore, she expresses the need to apply the teaching tools and initiatives that proved effective during online learning and integrate them with faceto-face teaching. For this, the school leadership envisions upskilling and empowering teachers with the right technology and socio-emotional learning.

Surfing on the Wave of Challenges While reflecting on the challenges and struggles in education, Shobna asserts, "A new school is a challenge for anyone, even without a pandemic. We all had a bit of anxiety, different perspectives, and many questions as the last two years were filled with unthinkable changes." Despite the multiple challenges, the school marched and welcomed the changes. The school's collective strength of 5 campuses and collaboration between the teams helped us emerge stronger and more confident. This year the school has observed diverse teaching

skills and what's truly admirable is the trust, passion, and determination of the school community never to doubt their abilities. Shobna concludes, "As a head of school, I believe challenges are the opportunities to learn and evolve from your comfort zone and cope with changes.”

Shobna Dhamija believes that education is the right and only tool of empowerment. While speaking about it, she says, "To ensure the continuity of education for all, our institution went an extra mile to support the families to give concessions and waive off the school fee for those who suffered a financial crisis due to the pandemic."

Achievements and Recognition

As a teacher Shobna Dhamija has won the Think-CIQ, creativity, intelligence quest award as India's top 100 awakened and innovative mentors.

The Silver Oaks School has received awards for the 2nd Best Emerging school in the international and national curriculum by Time Education Excellence 2021 and No. 1 Emerging School from Education World.

Silver Words of Guidance

When asked about sharing some advice for upcoming and aspiring educators, Shobna replies, "Teaching is a humancentric profession. As the saying goes, teaching is the only profession that

teaches and prepares all the other professions. It's central to the role and responsibility to do anything to support learners to evolve both academically and emotionally."

She believes that by making it ones choice and priority, one can experience that no other job is as rewarding and gratifying. She adds, "Over the years working with teachers from diverse backgrounds, ethnicity, nationality, and cultures, I discovered that the most admirable qualities in a teacher are passion and a growth mindset."

Heading to the Future

Shobna claims, "The action never stops in a progressive school like Silver

Oaks. In times of uncertainty, one must be prepared to embrace change, diversity, and all stakeholders' broad perspectives." Over the years, Silver Oaks school has implemented many good practices to achieve trust, appreciation, and respect from students and parents.

The school envisions to be consistent with its process to empower and build capacity in our teachers through workshops. As Shobna embarks, "Value generation in students prepares them for whatever lies ahead by learning to make good choices that carry them forward and become independent learners."

Silver Oaks stands for its mission to impart quality education and groom young people who will live for a purpose, learn to apply, lead with determination, and leave a timeless legacy.

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