Sunbeam School Mau educators at The English Book Depot in Dehradun
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful and enriching Reading Retreat. It was more than a reading session; it was a beautiful opportunity to pause, reflect, reconnect with ourselves, and view reading from a deeper perspective.
The idea of reflecting after reading a book particularly stayed with me. It shifts the purpose of reading from simply finishing a book to understanding what it made us think, feel, and question. In this sense, reflection becomes the bridge between reading and transformation.
My key takeaways from the Reading Retreat:
* Reading is not complete until we reflect.
* A good book should make us pause, question, and rethink.
* Reflection transforms information into understanding and understanding into action.
* We should connect what we read with our own experiences and context.
* A reflective reader asks not only “What does the author say?” but also “What does this make me think?”
* Regular reflection nurtures critical thinking, self-awareness, and lifelong learning.
* As educators, creating a culture of reading + reflection can make learning deeper and more meaningful.
Sir, the Reading Retreat reminded me that sometimes we need to step away from our routine to read, think, reflect, and rediscover the learner within us.
Thank you for creating such a meaningful space for learning and for introducing such a simple yet powerful practice of book reflection. I look forward to carrying this idea into my own reading journey and, hopefully, into our school culture as well.
Thank you once again for a truly inspiring Reading Retreat.
Dr. Andalib Zahera
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The experience was invaluable, and I am grateful for the hospitality, guidance, and learning opportunities I received over these three days.
In the Retreat, I read “My Good School”, and I have always enjoyed reading books because they give me new ideas and perspectives. While reading, I came across many ideas that made me think deeply about education. One chapter that especially stayed with me was Section 2 – “Practice Makes a Man Perfect.” This chapter made me realise that learning doesn’t happen only by reading or listening; it becomes meaningful when we practise, experience, and apply what we learn.
During the Retreat, I also learned about innovation, design, and many other concepts that helped me see education from a different perspective. One of my biggest learnings was understanding the meaning and vision behind MGS – My Good School.
I understood that My Good School promotes a whole-child approach to education, where learning is not limited to textbooks, marks, or examinations. Education should give students opportunities to learn through different experiences. I particularly liked the emphasis on the 4S – Study, Skill, Service, and Sports. These four areas can play an important role in a child’s overall development.
This Retreat helped me realise that education should focus not only on academic achievement, but also on students’ personal, social, emotional, practical, and physical development. A child needs opportunities to explore, make mistakes, practise, reflect, collaborate, and apply learning in real life.
Another important thing I understood is that creating a good school is not teachers’ responsibility alone. Teachers, school management, parents, students, and the community all play an important role in creating a positive and meaningful learning environment.
For me, the most valuable part of the Retreat was not just learning new concepts; it was also reflecting on my own understanding of education. I realised that education becomes more meaningful when students have the freedom and opportunity to experience things for themselves, rather than simply being told what to learn.
These three days in Dehradun have given me many thoughts that I would like to carry forward in my own journey as an educator. I am truly thankful to Sandeep Sir, Kunal Sir, and the entire Good Schools Alliance team for creating such a warm, thoughtful, and inspiring learning experience.
I am returning from this Retreat not just with knowledge, but with new questions, new perspectives, and a deeper understanding of what a good school and meaningful education should really be.
Rekha Sharma
