GSA Learning Forward Retreat for Teachers

Good evening, Team!

This is my very first - and more to come - Retreat that has taken me back to my childhood, when I missed the opportunity to explore reading and to create a global persona and identity in me, as my parents only focused on me following the curriculum books, and reading books outside the syllabus was considered neglecting our studies by both parents and school (schools giving just one session in a week which hardly create an environment to read or develop curosity).

In my adult life, many times the thought came to me that now is the time to go back to the books and start nurturing my inner self, who wants to gather knowledge about everything, but again, the responsibility and nature of neglect that we developed as adults made me distance myself from reading books, and that incompleteness in me still follows.

New Perspective

Today, after attending the Retreat, I found a reason to be encouraged and to encourage my students to read at my school.

Keys to unlock yourself so you can become a better facilitator (Teacher). As written on the board at the Learning Forward Foundation office, “You are the one who can fill the world with Sunshine.” 

I want to become a better version of myself as a facilitator who works on 4S: Service and Skill. Sports & Study. Where every school, staff, and student is engaged in the above activities so we can provide equality and passion to the work that we can do as a good school with these elements.

Promoting the Culture of My Good School

A good school brings a platform for students to enter into an ecosystem where students focus on personal and social growth, and we, the school, the teacher, and the community, should provide a pathway for them to achieve it. 

The education system needs to offer students an environment to explore beyond the classroom; no student should be left behind, so we need to create alternative assessment and marking schemes.

Lead to Read

To be an exceptional educator, we have to make sure that our students and we think and process brainstorming in ways that lead to developing understanding and to creating their own versions of thoughts, ideas, and concepts. In the era of AI we are in today, we are all relying on AI to do our intellectual work, and we are all losing originality.

We need to read to better understand complex concepts and strengthen our knowledge. Hence, we perform effectively and become better listeners, providers, and empathetic humans who can accept change and diversity of opinion, and develop an understanding that every child is different. We do not need to try to fit them into a frame of the syllabus or curriculum, so we can create individuals who are better citizens holds their own perception of an identity with spiritual awakening, decision making, which leads them into good health, divers Intelect with reasons, amazing communicator who build solid relations empower others, take care of mother nature and give back to the society in terms of their services.  

My deepest regards and warm thanks to Sandeep Sir, Kunal, and the entire GSA for providing me with an opportunity to unwind, reflect on education, and release my strength as an educator and explore how I can create new, better, and visionary possibilities for myself, the school, and students. 

Thanks

Ritika Chauhan

PYDS Learning Academy

Potato Crisps at the Learning Forward Retreat 19-21 July 2026

Kratika and Sakshi from DPS Abu Road joined us for the Learning Forward Retreat, and their imaginary character goes to My Good School and grows up to become a scientist. He finds his way through school, negotiating between Service, Skill, Sport and Study - the 4S framework his school offers him.

Breaking The Education Caste-System; Barriers To Contentment

Left & Right Brain. Logic vs Free Flow. Science vs Art. These compartments, though important in order to best serve a singular focus in their study & pursuit, have bled into the collective consciousness of our society in a manner where they have, for years together, across generations of students, become hard-points, non-negotiable boundaries based on which families, educators, institutions, students themselves included, measure their intellect and choose streams, subjects, careers!

The historic inheritance of this educational-food-chain is interesting though to invest time and space in regurgitating it here means to devote even more time to what’s happened, rather than what could now be done. It may have worked once upon a time, though now, it is an entirely different time.

Interesting, that on the one hand, an increasing number of large corporations and employers across the western world are displaying a clear preference for candidates who have ‘alternative’ undergraduate degrees – read arts in particular, as they are seen to be more creative, inventive; we in India, for the most part, are still stuck in this archaic and frankly irrelevant system of Science, then Commerce, then Humanities

You’re either a Dog person or a Cat person, so goes the cliche. Mostly true. Though to treat the Science-walas as a breed unto themselves, always to stay a safe distance away & parallel to the Art-walas, is plain naive. I have known any number of individuals who equally enjoy and are talented at, on the one hand Chess, and on the other, Sketching. Are they all geniuses? Certainly not if their slightly above average IQs were the yardstick!

Then of course there’s the little matter of history which I earlier referenced. To equate an India of today, and by that, her people, to a Colonial System, is absurd. We are well and truly in a digital era, one where even in my own rudimentary understanding, a human resource would stand to benefit the self and the organization if they were to be a combination of left & right brain faculties. 

Another narrative that feeds into the elevated pedestal given to the Science lot is Competitive Examinations. Granted, exams that determine Engineering, Medicine college admissions are amongst the toughest in the world. However, I can’t help but wonder if the brilliance ascribed to these candidates is not more a consequence of the sheer numbers of test-takers. And I’ll tell you why I have this sneaking suspicion. Because tests that the Humanities & Arts walas are required to take, the ones that get you into Law, into Mass Communication colleges; they are no less a test of one’s scholastic level than any others; the number of people vying for those spots being relatively significantly less, somehow seems to cast aspersions on their inherent intellectual merit (of the exam itself)

There is also the facet of potential careers that must be examined as yet another perpetuator of this narrative around the intellectual-divide between the aforementioned streams of study. The broad assumption is that careers generated by and post an education in the sciences are more lucrative. As someone who has inhabited the creative realm for a long time, was an active part of the media industry for over a decade, I can tell you from personal experience and observation that while there may exist a disparity between packages offered to engineers vs say individuals in creative roles in advertising and such; this gap not only turns into parity fairly quickly, it can often turn tides entirely in favor of the arts-related personnel. What tends to happen is this. Granted, the starting salary of someone joining advertising, pr, films is likely to be noticeably less than the counterpart in the sciences work-sphere; the sharp learning curve, the performance & meritorious expedient rise in the creative spaces tends to be immense. This is borne out by the fact that generally speaking one finds sectors such as advertising, digital media, content creation, to be largely and relatively younger sectors. It wouldn’t for example be uncommon to find a mid-30s person being the Creative Head with a VP rank at a creative agency, with a CTC that rivals and outdoes age-equivalents in other segments

In the grand scheme of things, the final analysis and judgment in the Indian context tends to rest with Family & Society. The overbearing interference and influence of family upon an individual’s most critical life decisions, while one could debate, serves the undecided and/or unfocused well; for scores of young people, places them on paths that, in cases, might even generate the desired livelihood – but whether they generate even an iota of happiness & contentment, is a question we ought to seriously ponder.

While I do see a perceptible change in newer/younger parents’ attitudes, in percentage terms, this group doesn’t even constitute a rounding percentage point. The current generation of learners and students is often criticized for being selfish, insular, self-centred. I for one believe that if, out of that focus on one’s own priorities, is birthed a degree of personal contentment hitherto not experienced, I am happy to be sidelined by my own daughter in service of her own happiness! -

by Kartik, Founder Driveway Devi

Understanding and Cognitive Engagement in Learning

The May 3rd, 2025, inspiring Masterclass explores the essential elements of an impactful professional learning program in schools. This is an incredible chance to boost your teaching skills and transform your classroom experience.

This meeting covered various aspects of My Good School's educational programs, including attendance tracking, diverse learning activities, and the importance of developing expertise in teaching. The discussion emphasized the significance of deep understanding and cognitive engagement in learning, highlighting the challenges faced by novices and the role of prior knowledge in effective learning. The meeting also explored research methodologies and data collection techniques, encouraging participants to apply these concepts in their own teaching and professional development.

We enthusiastically recommend "Productive Failure" by Dr. Manu Kapur as a fantastic resource for our Professional Learning Program. This insightful book encourages educators to reconnect with their passion and purpose in teaching, enhancing engagement and effectiveness in their roles. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity for personal and professional growth!

#HappyTeachers support #MyGoodSchool

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.

Report: Impact of The Teacher's Academy July 2024

 

The Teacher's Academy is dedicated to helping everyone unlock their full potential. Our comprehensive online program offers personalised coaching and top-notch mentorship to help you reach your goals. With customised learning programs and a special offer of Rs 25,000 per annum for your school's Whole Faculty Study Group, we make success easily attainable. Our user-friendly platform and experienced instructors are committed to helping you advance your career, acquire new skills, or explore different subjects.

Masterclass every Saturday

Saturday at 5.30 PM, thirty minutes on Google Meet! For an annual fee of Rs 2500/- per head, individuals acquire access to valuable insights and techniques that will take their teaching skills to the next level. Join us and see the results for yourself!

Here are the key points about the impact of The Teacher's Academy (formerly LFIN Academy by Learning Forward India), as per research done by Otter AI:

The Teacher's Academy is a professional development program for teachers run by the Learning Forward India Foundation. Its goal is to help teachers improve professionally and personally, leading to greater happiness and better learning outcomes.

• The program focuses on core skills like reading, reflection, and relationship building. The World Bank education group recognised it as a top global innovation.

• Over the years, hundreds of teachers have participated in The Teacher's Academy program. Pre-pandemic, it was run in-person and then shifted online during COVID. It continues to run weekly sessions on Saturdays.

• Teacher's Academy aims to help teachers cover the 50 hours of professional development required by India's National Education Policy. The program includes reading, assignments, reflection, and relationship building.  

• Participating teachers have improved their skills and capacities, and student achievement has also increased due to teacher participation in the program.

• The Teacher's Academy has increased happiness among teachers and students and helped create positive school cultures and environments.

• The Teacher's Academy has demonstrated that focusing on teacher development empowers and supports teachers, leading to better student learning outcomes and experiences.

In summary, The Teacher's Academy has significantly improved teacher skills and capacities through professional development, leading to better school cultures and increased student achievement. Its innovative model has been globally recognised.

The Teacher's Academy has helped improve teacher skills and capacities:

• Reading: The Teacher's Academy focuses on improving teachers' reading skills through weekly reading sessions. In these sessions, teachers read and discuss a chapter from a book together, which helps improve their comprehension, vocabulary, and ability to analyse texts.

• Reflection: Teachers are encouraged to reflect on their reading and share their thoughts through voice messages, texts, emails, etc. This develops their critical thinking and self-assessment skills.

• Relationships: By reading together and having thoughtful discussions, teachers build stronger connections with each other. This improves their communication skills and ability to collaborate.

• Writing: Teachers have opportunities to write blog posts, tweets, etc., to share their reflections, which enhances their writing skills.

• Digital skills: Teachers learn to use online tools like Telegram, Google Drive, blogs, etc., which builds their digital literacy.

• Content creation: Teachers are encouraged to create podcasts, presentations, etc., to share their learning. This develops their ability to synthesise information and teach others.

• Coaching support: Experienced coaches guide teachers, which helps them implement new teaching strategies.

In summary, The Teacher's Academy employs a holistic approach to developing essential skills, such as reading, reflection, collaboration, writing, content creation, and more, to significantly improve teacher capacities.

https://schooleducation.com/the-teachers-academy

SCOOREVIEW - My Good School, by ScooNews Aug 2022

Does your school empower every individual?
If you are at school, we help you experience the joy of learning; for those who did not enjoy school, it is essential to realise that learning is natural for the brain. Just as the heart keeps beating as long as we live, the brain keeps learning.

The book, podcast, app and much more!

At My Good School, children develop critical thinking and communication skills, preparing them to face the world. They experience values and virtues working with mentors and peers. #JoyOfLearning

Why should you join My Good School?

"Improves confidence in speaking, helps improve listening skills and reading fluency, teaches time management - balancing schoolwork and My Good School. JOL (Joy Of Learning) helps us in academics; we feel more confident while performing in a play or giving a speech. Everyone quickly finds the pleasure and joy of learning in an open, adaptable environment". - Rishona Chopra, Grade 6 Gyanshree School "I love being an intern at My Good School, which gives me a lot of opportunities to learn. I like making posters and writing blogs which helped me enhance my writing skills and creative skills. I learn about life values like compassion, giving, and never giving up hope. I enjoy meeting many interns from other schools, picking up other skills, and being mentored by teachers. As an intern, I can explore so many things which are helping me to find my strengths. I am thankful that I got this internship opportunity at 10".

- Arav Agarwal, Grade 6 Billabong Thane

 

My Good School is Phygital (physical plus digital), a marketing term that combines digital experiences with physical ones. The GSA member schools emphasise service, Skill, Sport and Study. We Focus on the 6 C's: 1 Critical thinking; 2 Creativity; 3 Collaboration; 4 Communication; 5 Character; and 6 Citizenship. The "My Good School" designation shows the school's value on professional learning and student achievement.

Sunday School!

Experience the joy of reading, listening to heartwarming stories and connecting with young people from schools worldwide —every Sunday in English and Hindi on Google Meet. The once-a-week school, 30 minutes open forum; 60 minutes English and 60 minutes Hindi, follow up on the Telegram App. The pure joy of learning, no compulsion to attend!

Joy Of Learning
The Joy Of Learning Program and the Sunday School is a much-loved innovation of the  Learning Forward India Foundation; the foundation also has a well-established Internship Program, Space Program, Well-being Program, Sports Program and a Happy Teachers Program.

Good Schools Alliance

Schools and stakeholders empower young people. Programs Partners and Members Schools collaborate for service, skill, sport and study; add value to the school curriculum and spread the joy of learning.

• Empower every individual at your school

• Encourages students to become involved in activities beyond just study; this helps develop confidence, knowledge and networks.

• Experiential learning is a critical factor in progressing successfully through adolescence.

• Education empowers students by creating an environment for their personal and social development.

The story of My Good School started with the need for a balanced curriculum that ensured diversity, inclusion and belonging for every child at The Fabindia School; the school emphasises a holistic approach to education, offering extensive extra-curricular programs along with comprehensive academic courses. Our focus on happy teachers and the joy of learning became a story in itself!

My Good School - the book, podcast, App and school - give us a reason to celebrate the joy of learning and help us look at learning from every child's perspective. Today, the learning process has become far more democratic, and the role of the teacher has evolved from one who provides knowledge to a person who co-creates learning for every individual, with the child at the epicentre. The philosophy of My Good School gained global recognition with the publication of the book.

 

My Good School Where Passion Meets Education was published amid the pandemic by Rupa Publications 2021. This perhaps helped us all to look at a deeper understanding of a school, as the NEP 2022 has challenged the old style of teaching and learning. This book will help educators, school administrators and management and will change the future of learning.

 

A BOOK FOR ANYONE AND EVERYONE ASSOCIATED WITH SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLING.

The book is for parents to select the school for their child, as the choice can have a lifelong impact on the child's growth and personality.

 

A guide for you to look beyond that high-rise building and those perfectly manicured lawns—to go deeper in your search for your good school. It will encourage you to observe, question, evaluate, and choose a school that will truly prepare your child for a life beyond the campus, a life beyond theory.

 

This book will help educators, school administrators, and management build and rebuild such institutions and change the future of learning.

 

Enriched with the knowledge, experience and, most importantly, the wisdom of The Doon School alumnus and school improvement coach Sandeep Dutt, this book will encourage conversations around our education system and help shape the future of education.

"Sandeep is a passionate educator. He has dedicated his life to making the greatest impact on the greatest number of people." - William Nanda Bissell, Chairman of the Board, Fabindia.

 

"This book is almost like a conversation where a concerned parent, a well-intentioned teacher, and an entrepreneur who is aware of the reality of education today discuss everything from the what, the why and the how of teaching to what it will take to redefine education and learning." - Arvind Passey, Blogger and columnist The Education Post.

 

Listed in Top 10 Non-Fiction Bestsellers for 2021 by Booknerds.

 

Amazon lists the book in the top 100 non-fiction books.

 

At the Learning Forward India Foundation, passionate educators love to help schools deliver better, focusing on community learning programs for students and teachers to help take learning forward. You, too, can experience the joy of learning simply by enrolling at My Good School! #JoyOfLearning #HappyTeachers #MyGoodSchool Find out more at www.SchoolEducation.com. 

This post is courtesy the ScooNews Magazine, reproduced from page 122 of the August Sixth Anniversary Special Edition.

Wanted a Primary School Principal!

FOLLOW YOUR HEART
Lady with the lamp, where art thou?

Primary years are your first 💕.
You love a breath of fresh 💨.

Want to settle at Dehradun?

We have a job to involve you for 10+ years, and the school will grow with you from Primary to K12.

Prior experience is welcome; if you want this to be your first shot as a principal, give it a try!

Image courtesy: Primary School Clipart, Png Download - Reading Cartoon, Free clipartkey.com

With passionate educators, EBD is setting up a school at Dehradun. Amidst a legacy campus that opened its doors in 1947 to give newfound freedom to young people. 

This is the new India; we decided to re-invent the wheel, building on a solid foundation with a sense of service to the community and a commitment to values.

Verdant greens, sounds of silence, birds chirping, water body, tree house, blue skies,  amphitheatre, pick-up from home...and even an area for parents to lounge in!

My Good School welcomes you with an open heart! No CV is needed; email LF@ebd.in and tell us why you are best suited.

OFFER CLOSES 31st July 2022

#mygoodschool #education #job #experience #love #jobalert #school #email #email #art #sing #dance #explore #walk #woods #magic

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