Reflection on Good School Alliance Training 19-21 July 2026

Letter from Sakshi Sharma to Sandeep Dutt

Dear Sir, 

I would like to share my reflection on the Good School Alliance Training, which was a truly enriching and inspiring learning experience. The training helped me understand what truly makes a school “good.” I learned that a good school is not just about academic excellence but about building strong relationships, creating a positive learning environment, and ensuring the holistic development of every student. It also made me reflect on the changes that schools should adopt to become better learning communities.

One of the most valuable learnings for me was the importance of connecting with fellow educators. Earlier, my interactions with colleagues were mostly limited to discussing the curriculum and lesson plans. During this training, I learned the value of meaningful conversations, collaboration, and building professional relationships that help us learn, grow, and support one another.

Reading “My Good School” was another significant part of this journey. After my school and college years, I had almost stopped reading books. This training motivated me to read again, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The book deepened my understanding of the roles of teachers, mentors, and principals, and highlighted the importance of building strong, trusting relationships with students to make learning more meaningful.

As I read the book, I was happy to notice that many of the practices and values it describes are already reflected in my school through its association with the Good School Alliance. The leadership qualities of an effective principal mentioned in the book closely resemble those of our Principal, making the concepts even more relatable and inspiring.

Overall, this training has motivated me to become a better educator, strengthen my relationships with students and colleagues, and continue my journey of learning and self-improvement. Most importantly, it has rekindled my interest in reading, and I look forward to exploring more books that will help me grow both personally and professionally.

Thank you for providing such a meaningful and inspiring learning experience.

Regards,

Sakshi Sharma

TGT Science

Delhi Public School, Abu Road

Sunbeam Schools Program Review Meeting

Overview of GSA Programs and how schools can make use of the resources 

To detail GSA’s programs and how schools can maximise their benefits.

Key Takeaways

• New Program Structure (eff. July 1): GSA’s weekly schedule is now streamlined to two core programs: “My Good School” for students (Sundays, 10:30 AM) and “Teachers Academy” for professional development (Saturdays, 3:30 PM).

• Emerging Literacies Focus: The new “Literacy Project” (Saturdays, 5:30 PM) will use Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century to explore critical topics like financial, food, and health literacy, preparing students for a rapidly changing world.

• Teacher-Led Engagement is Crucial: The success of student internships and the program as a whole depends on active teacher participation. Teachers must attend sessions with students to provide the necessary scaffolding and support.

• Fellowships Offer Practical Leadership: Fellowships provide teachers with hands-on experience in master training, data analysis, and event organisation, equipping them with practical skills beyond typical classroom duties.

Topics

The Challenge: Preparing Students for a Rapidly Changing World

• GSA’s programs address the accelerating pace of job obsolescence (example of large lay-offs)

• The goal is to build human capital by developing “Emerging Literacies,” which include:

  • Financial Literacy: Essential for navigating a complex, consumer-driven world.

  • Food Literacy: Understanding nutrition for optimal health and performance.

  • Health & Wellbeing Literacy: Addressing specific health challenges for adolescents.

  • Digital Literacy: Proficiency in AI and other evolving technologies.

The Solution: GSA’s Program Structure

• The new weekly structure (eff. July 1, 2026) is designed for clarity and impact.

• 1. My Good School (Student Program)

  • When: Sundays, 10:30 AM (500-seat capacity).

  • What: Parallel reading sessions (long-form English, short-form English, Hindi).

  • Current Books: Whatever You’re Looking For Is There In The Library, My Family and Other Animals, Time Stops at Shamli.

  • Why: Develops an emotional connection with reading through choice and community.

• 2. Teachers Academy (Professional Learning)

  • When: Saturdays, 3:30 PM (starts July 4).

  • What: Collaborative book study on classroom culture.

  • Current Book: Wanted Backbencher Last Ranker Teacher.

  • Why: Provides practical strategies for real-world classroom dilemmas.

• 3. Literacy Project (Masterclass)

  • When: Saturdays, 5:30 PM (starts July 4).

  • What: Reading 21 Lessons for the 21st Century followed by a deep dive into one Emerging Literacy topic.

  • Why: Connects big-picture thinking to practical application in the classroom.

• 4. GSA Squad Meeting

  • When: Mondays, 5:30 PM (30 min).

  • Why: Weekly update and Q&A forum for all partners.

Deeper Engagement: Internships & Fellowships

• Internships (for students <18)

  • Pathway: Attend “My Good School” → Join Monday meetings for tasks.

  • Success Factor: Requires teacher supervision. The Sunbeam Baliyah model, where teachers attend with students, is the benchmark for effective engagement.

• Fellowships (for teachers >18)

  • Benefits: Master trainer status, data analysis skills, and practical experience in event organisation.

  • Why: Provides unique opportunities for professional growth beyond the classroom, such as tabulating learning outcomes for 1,000 teachers.

Retreats & Recognition

• My Good School Retreat (Varanasi)

  • When: Nov 13–16.

  • Why: Immersive experience in GSA’s “joy of giving” and “joy of learning” philosophy.

• Learning Forward Retreats (Dehradun)

  • When: 10 planned sessions.

  • Why: Intensive residential program to train teachers as GSA ambassadors.

• Snehlata Prize

  • What: Award for educators building reading culture.

  • Why: Recognises and funds outstanding work. Nominations are open.

Next Steps

• All Participants:

  • Attend the weekly “My Good School” (Sundays, 10:30 AM) and “Teachers Academy” (Saturdays, 3:30 PM) sessions.

  • Nominate deserving educators for the Snehlata Prize.

  • Share the one-minute GSA explainer video to build awareness, use link: (https://youtu.be/DVWsQ_uXB6s?si=W2-DcwPxFueeS6LE)

• Paul P V:

  • Share the meeting recording and notes with all Sunbeam schools.

  • Ensure the Gramin School representative attending the Dehradun retreat receives full support.

Notes courtesy FATHOM AI

It is Learning Forward Saturday!

Presentation by Passionate Educators from Gyan Anant Vidyalaya

It is Learning Forward Saturday!

Our two most important days of the week are Saturday and Sunday. You may ask why?

The Teachers Academy runs on Saturdays, and on Sunday, we host My Good School for teachers, students, and anyone who wishes to experience #JoyOfLearning, for ages 9 to 90-plus. Together, the two days pretty much add to all we stand for and do with your support.

Reading, Reflection and Relationships

Happy teachers lead to happy students! 

We need to create a culture of trust and learning, and it starts with our teachers. At the Learning Forward India Foundation, we believe that a happy teacher, a passionate educator, and someone who cherishes a love of learning every moment, without distractions from the VUCA world, is the foundation of everything we do. Check out our website www.Diljeeto.com (It is all about winning hearts!).

Teachers build relationships, and that makes the world a better place. When a good teacher reads, students reflect, and meaningful relationships are built.

Saturday at 3:00 PM, Brinda Ghosh and Sandeep come alive on Zoom to read and reflect with teachers across the Good Schools Alliance network. The session recordings are available on our YouTube Channel, which is simply YouTube.com@MyGoodSchool.

Later in the day, at 5:30 PM, Sandeep Dutt hosts his Masterclass, and today we conclude the reflections on the book “The Courage To Be Happy”, a dialogue between a youth, a teacher, and a philosopher. One of the finest reads on understanding teaching and learning, with 10 million copies sold.

The books we read are not texts or the ones normally on reading lists. Our sessions and readings are all about love, care, and compassion, and about fostering an emotional connection through the joy of learning. The focus is on literacy, not simply on teaching or workshops. Storytelling, real-life experiences, talking to teachers in their language and making meaningful connections make our sessions very powerful.

The teachers share their happiness in their language every week only at https://www.HappyTeacher.in

Transform Life Chances For Every Child We Reach

When a school shifts, a child’s entire world shifts.

I’m Sandeep Dutt, and at the Good Schools Alliance, we’re now collaborating with over 50 schools that are eager to learn and grow together.

Through My Good School, we organise Sunday reading sessions and The Teachers Academy, helping schools weave reading, reflection and relationships into their weekly schedule. This means that every week, children get to read, share and reflect with their peers and teachers across the Alliance.

In just one year, 17 schools and 8 programme partners joined forces under the Alliance—ranging from reading and life-skills groups to wellbeing and teacher-development partners. This means that a single donor’s support is multiplied across dozens of campuses, hundreds of teachers and thousands of children each year.

Our member schools contribute an annual subscription, and philanthropic support enables us to subsidise programmes for our Special Projects that might not be able to afford this on their own—especially those with low fees and in rural areas. Your funding helps us expand retreats, reading programmes, and special projects in financial literacy, health and girls’ empowerment.

If you believe every child deserves a good school, please partner with us—either as a donor or a funding agency—so that together, we can take the Good Schools Alliance from dozens of schools to hundreds, and transform life chances for every child we reach.

Join us at the Global Educators Festival

Get ready for the Global Ed Fest—an electrifying event where innovative minds come together to tackle pressing educational challenges! Mark your calendars for July 31, 2025, because you won't want to miss this fantastic experience, explicitly curated for India's school community. We at the Good Schools Alliance can't wait to welcome you to the colourful and dynamic Pink City! 

 

Join us as we unite to ignite ideas and cultivate a passion for learning! Let's make waves in education! #JoyOfLearning #HappyTeachers #EducationRevolution #GreatSchools #Conference #SGEF2025

 

Visit the website for details:

GlobalEdFest.com

Thank You Note for JDS School

Dear Principal Sir and Staff at JDS School

Thank you for joining us for the orientation, and for more do visit www.SchoolEducation.com

Meeting Purpose

Introduce JDS School teachers to the Learning Forward Foundation's programs and initiatives for enhancing reading, reflection, and relationships in education.

Key Takeaways

• Learning Forward Foundation offers programs focused on fostering joy in reading, reflection, and relationship-building for teachers and students

• Key initiatives include My Good School (for students), The Teacher’s Academy (for teachers), and an Annual Retreat at Dehradun

• Participation is free for Good School Alliance members, with optional certification available for a fee

• Resources include open-source materials, podcasts, YouTube channel, and blog posts for continuous learning

Topics

Introduction to the Good Schools Alliance

• Founded in 2012, initially working with a school in Rajasthan

• Transitioned to online format in 2019 due to challenges in physical school visits

• Focus on critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, character, and citizenship

• Emphasis on reading, reflection, and relationship-building

My Good School Program

• Flagship program held every Sunday at 10:30 AM

• Involves reading and discussing books from various genres

• Students write reflections and blog posts based on readings

• Encourages creative expression through writing, drawing, podcasts, and videos

Teachers Academy Program

• Held every Saturday at 5:30 PM for 45 minutes

• Teachers read and discuss chapters, then create reflections

• Blog posts by "Happy Teachers" shared on the platform

• Recent example: discussion on "Heart Versus Mind" in classroom management

Annual My Good School Retreat

• Upcoming retreat from November 13-16 in Dehradun

• Opportunity for students and teachers to participate in person

• Program details to be finalized in the coming days

Continuous Professional Development

• Option to earn a certificate by submitting 11 articles in a year

• Exam fee of 1100 rupees for certification

• Affiliated with an international agency for accreditation

Resources and Support

• Open-source materials available on the website

• Podcast and YouTube channel with educational content

• Blog posts searchable by topic for teacher reference

• Support available from coaches, interns, and fellows

Next Steps

• Teachers to explore the Learning Forward Foundation website www.SchoolEducation.com

• Consider participation in upcoming Sunday and Saturday sessions

• Evaluate student participation in My Good School program

• Explore possibility of attending the November Retreat in Dehradun

• Review certification options for continuous professional development

Kind regards

Sandeep Dutt

Founder Good Schools Alliance

Jhamku Devi Secondary School, is situated in the state of Punjab at a distance of 24 Kms. from Abohar on the Malout-Ganganagar Defence road at Dhora Mehrajpur Village. It has an Eco-Friendly noise free and Salubrious environment.

The school aims to provide an atmosphere to develop the individual personality of each student and to inculcate in the students, an awareness of the rich cultural heritage. It imparts education which is a happy blend of the traditional and western values, an education which nurtures the best traditions of our culture and also absorbs the finer western influences. The institution endeavours to provide the climate for a wholesome and integrated upbringing, seeking to provide well adjusted, dynamic students equipped with valuable qualities of leadership and alertness. Jhamkudevi Sr. Sen. School also aims to develop in the students, an awareness of social responsibility and moral values. It offers myriad opportunities for extra-curricular activities and game for the growth of sound physical and mental health in them.

Find out more: https://jhamkudevischool.in/

Video recording of the session:

SGEF 2024 - My Story

My Second Life by Sandeep Dutt

Miles to go before I sleep

Read on Substack

I tried hard to explain the brand philosophy at #SGEF2024; maybe I fumbled up as Ravi Santlani of ScooNews was brandishing my weapon, the Time-Out sign. The allotted ten minutes were running out, and a flashback of one day in this time capsule and how we fit in our mission was brutal!

#SGEF2024 

The words and phrases that we heard at the ScooNews Global Edfest:

1. Mindset - step one for any change creation system.

2. Real-world learning.

3. Transformation.

4. Capacity Building.

5. Child Development.

6. Invest in early childhood learning.

7. Project-based learning.

8. All In (AI), we must be all in.

9. Innovative learning.

10. Teachers alone matter.

11. Fun - even fundamental begins with fun.

12. India Tour - need to travel and learn.

13. Vocational skills.

14. Entrepreneurship.

15. Jobs for the future.

16. Play is essential.

17. Exponential growth - change is faster than we can imagine.

18. Be Humble.

The 18 points summarise the two-day conference #JoyOfLearning.

At Good Schools Alliance, we are working to revolutionise education, driven by our passion for delivering top-notch learning opportunities to all. Our journey started with a vision to make education available to all, no matter where they come from. Good schools offer equal opportunity to every individual, focusing on the 4S—Service, Skill, Sport, and Study. See the order. The dictionary, too, lists Service first; the rest follows. Our main goal is to cultivate an environment of trust and continual growth.

Behold the 6C’s (Competencies) #curriculum

1. Critical Thinking

2. Creativity

3. Collaboration

4. Communication

5. Character

6. Citizenship

The 3R’s (Methodology) #pedagogy

1 Reading

2 Reflection

3 Relationships

#MyGoodSchool 

GSA Member Schools offer equal opportunity to every individual:

The 4S’s - Service, Skill, Sport and Study - personal and social development of every individual, with equal emphasis on the 4S’s, makes every school My Good School.