Heart Vs Mind - Sunbeam School Mau

Reading the chapter “Heart Versus Mind” made me reflect deeply on the responsibilities of a teacher. The chapter beautifully shows that every child carries emotions, fears, dreams, and struggles that are not always visible. As a teacher, I believe that before correcting a student’s behaviour, I must first understand the reason behind it, as Brinda Ma’am said. Young children need emotional security more than strict discipline. If a child cries, becomes silent, or behaves differently, I would patiently listen, comfort them, and make them feel safe rather than scold them. A classroom should be a place where children feel accepted, respected, and confident to express themselves. 

A student’s emotional well-being is the foundation of meaningful learning. At the same time, senior students need guidance, trust, and motivation as they face academic pressure, peer influence, and personal challenges. Instead of judging them for their mistakes, as a Pastoral Guide, I would encourage open conversations, appreciate their efforts, help them set realistic goals, and remind them that failures are opportunities to learn. 

The title “Heart vs. Mind” reminds me that a good teacher should never choose one over the other. The heart teaches us to be kind, compassionate, and understanding, while the mind helps us remain fair, responsible, and thoughtful in our decisions. A balance of both qualities enables a teacher to create a positive learning environment where students not only achieve academic success but also grow into confident, responsible, and emotionally strong individuals. 

This chapter has strengthened my belief that the greatest achievement of a teacher is not producing high scorers but touching students’ lives with empathy, patience, and genuine care.

Rekha Sharma

As I read this part of Heart vs Mind, I was reminded that adolescence is one of the most sensitive phases of a student's life. As an Academic Head and an English teacher, I often observe that students need not only academic guidance but also emotional support, understanding and someone who listens to them without judgement.

What impressed me most was Roma Mathur's approach of understanding her students before correcting them. She looked beyond their behaviour and recognised their emotions, fears and hidden potential. This reflects the true essence of education—that every child deserves empathy, trust and an opportunity to grow.

In my experience, students perform their best when they feel valued and emotionally secure. Meaningful conversations, encouragement and a positive teacher-student relationship often create a greater impact than mere classroom instruction. This chapter also reminds us that when teachers and parents work together with patience and understanding, children develop the confidence to make responsible decisions.

For me, education is not only about academic excellence but also about nurturing emotionally strong, responsible and compassionate individuals. Heart vs Mind beautifully reinforces the belief that before shaping a student's mind, we must first connect with their heart.

Sangeeta Singh

Reading about Fear and Courage

As a teacher, I am deeply reminded by the chapter that education is not merely about academic achievement but about helping students discover their potential, confidence, and purpose in life. Roma's journey shows that every child, whether a topper or a last-ranker, carries dreams and abilities that can flourish when guided with encouragement and belief. I am particularly inspired by how Roma addressed her students’ fear of public speaking by creating opportunities for participation, teamwork, and self-expression rather than simply delivering lectures. Her approach reflects the true role of a teacher as a mentor who motivates learners to overcome their fears, develop leadership qualities, and believe in themselves. 

The assembly presentation demonstrates that students learn best when they are actively involved, trusted with responsibilities, and allowed to make mistakes without fear of judgment. 

The message that “dreaming big” and striving to become good human beings matter more than examination scores resonates strongly with my own philosophy of teaching. 

This chapter on fear and courage reinforces my belief that effective teaching is rooted in empathy, encouragement, and the ability to recognise hidden potential in every learner. As a teacher, I feel responsible not only for imparting knowledge but also for nurturing confidence, resilience, and aspirations so that students can transform their dreams into reality and contribute positively to society.

Rekha Sharma, Sunbeam School Mau

Today’s lesson gave me a very important message that every child must succeed. Every student is different and has their own strengths. Some students learn quickly, while others need a little more time and support. As teachers, we should encourage all children and help them move forward with confidence. Success is not only about earning good marks; it is also about becoming a good, confident person. When we trust our students and motivate them, they begin to believe in themselves. This reflection reminded me that no child should be left behind, and every child deserves a chance to succeed.

Pooja Chauhan, Sunbeam School Ballia

Productive Failure @ Scientific Probing - Rajni Dhondiyal

 

Rajni Dhondiyal- assignment 4 by Manisha Khanna

Rajni Dhondiyal- assignment 5 by Manisha Khanna.   

The strategies of intentionally designed learning tasks of failure have been highly supported by scientists and researchers. Failure has frequently been reframed by them as a necessary component of discovery and a springboard to achievement rather than as a conclusion. This idea is consistent with the educational philosophy of constructive failure, which holds that learning from failures can often be more effective than achieving success right away.

Rajni Dhondiyal, Sunbeam Suncity

Q&A WITH AUTHOR - How can I read better?

An extract from a book I am reading!

Q&A WITH AUTHOR

YJ: I love your book. It makes me feel like I'm successful by virtue of reading and I like this feeling. (laughs). It's totally my kind of book.

AR: Yes, absolutely. (laughs) Reading makes you see with clearer eyes and understand the world better. When you can do that, you become stronger - the feeling you associate with success. But at the same time, it gives you pain. Within the pages, there's much suffering, beyond what we've gone through in our finite experience of life. You'll read about suffering you didn't know existed. Having experienced their pain through words, it becomes a lot harder to focus on pursuing individual happiness and success. Reading makes you deviate further from the textbook definition of success because books don't make us go ahead of or above anyone else; they guide us to stand alongside others.

Y: I like that line - to stand alongside others.

AR: We become successful in other ways.

Y: How so?

AR: We become more compassionate. To read is to see things from someone else's perspective, and that naturally leads you to stop and look out for other people, rather than chase after success in the rat race. If more people read, I think the world would become a better place.

YJ: It's common to hear people say that they have no time to read but I believe you read a lot?

AR: Not really, about one book every two or three days.

YR: I call that reading a lot. (laughs)

AR: Really? (laughs) Being so busy, were usually left with only small pockets of time to read - perhaps in the morning, during lunch, in the evening after work and before we go to bed. But these pockets of time can add up to become something substantial.

XI: You mentioned that you usually read a few books at any one time.

AR: Yeah, I have a short attention span. I get bored and distracted easily, even if the book is interesting. So, when I start to feel restless, I'll switch to reading something else. I've been told that I'll mix up the plots, but so far, that has never happened.

X: I feel like I'll forget what I've read earlier by the the time I return to the previous book.

AR: Hmm... when I read, I don't obsess over the need to remember every detail. Of course, I'll need to remember the earlier bits to a certain extent, but that said, it's also unlikely that you have zero recollection of what happened. I usually recall most of it, but if my memory is a little hazy, I'll reread the bits I've underlined in pencil before I move on.

Y: Yes, I remember you mentioned in your book that there's no need to obsess over the details. But is it really okay? (laughs)

AR: (laughs) It's perfectly fine. Books are not meant to remain in your mind, but in your heart. Maybe they exist in your mind too, but as something more than memories. At a crossroads in life, a forgotten sentence or a story from years ago can come back to offer an invisible hand and guide you to a decision.

Personally, I feel like the books I've read led me to make the choices I've made in life. While I may not remember all the details, the stories continue to exert a quiet influence on me.

Y: That's very comforting to know. To be honest, I can't even recall much from the books I read just a month ago.

AR: Same for me, and I think most people will agree too.

Y: Some say were in an era where people no longer read. What do you think?

AR: While I was writing this book, I used Instagram for the first time. I was so pleasantly surprised by what I saw that I started to question who dreamt up the notion that people don't read these days? There are so many people on the app who are devouring books at an incredible pace, and it convinced me that readers aren't an extinct breed. That said, I know these Instagram readers are not representative of the average person and are probably a niche bunch. Some time back, I read this article claiming that half the adults in Korea don't even finish one book in a year. But when people don't read, you can't just call it a problem. It's not that straightfor-ward. Therere so many reasons: being busy, having no emotional bandwidth or time. It's because were living in such a suffocating society.

XT: Does that mean that until we create a more liveable society, it's going to be hard for people to read?

AR: Hmm... we can't just sit and wait for society to get better. If more people start to read, they'll be able to empathise with the pain of others and the world will become a better place sooner.

YJ: What can we do?

AR: It's not an issue I can solve. (laughs) But I believe that people still have an appetite for read-ing, and that they feel it's important to read. What about the people who want to read, but can't, for one reason or another?

YJ: ...

AR: As the age-old saying goes, the first step is always the hardest. (laughs) How do we start? Oh, is this the point where I should say I wrote the book with this group in mind? (laughs)

YJ: That's it? Not even a teaser? Come on, share something with us. How about the bit about using timers on days when you can't concentrate?

AR: Of course, I was just kidding. On days when you can't concentrate, ask yourself what's been on your mind recently. Humans are naturally motivated to be curious about things were interested in. For example, many of us want to quit our jobs. If you're thinking of quitting, read books written by people who've quit. There are many such books. If you want to emigrate, read stories about people who've moved across lands and oceans. If you're struggling with low self-esteem, have lost touch with a good friend or feel depressed, seek out books about that. But if you haven't read for a long while, it might be hard to concentrate, and you may get distracted easily. When I feel this way, I set a timer on my phone for twenty minutes. Until the timer rings, I'll focus on the book. Setting small restrictions like this adds a little tension that'll help us concentrate. Once the twenty minutes are up, we have the choice to stop reading, or if we want to go on a little longer, we can set a timer for another twenty minutes. If we do it three times, we have read for an hour already. Let's try to set the timer three times and complete an hour of reading every day.

Living In Harmony With Compassion: RP Devgan

What is Education?

Mr. Arthur E Foot, the first Head Master of The Doon School in 1935, explained education as follows:

If, at the time of graduating from school, the student cannot differentiate between what is right and what is wrong, they have had no education.

In today's world, where children chase success and marks, they tend to forget the very basics of education, which are human values and being good human beings.

Success comes to those who are kind and compassionate. We need to be considerate and respectful of our peers and the people around us. We often tend to be very selfish and only care for ourselves. Our first service should be to the community. We need to be grateful for what we have. Very often, gratitude is missing, and we end up complaining about everyone and everything.

I feel there is no excuse for rudeness or obnoxious behaviour; there is no need to insult or shout at others.

One must learn to be tolerant and respect the opinions of others. We live in a secular society, and we must have the patience and understanding to respect the culture and beliefs of everyone. Just because others' opinions and beliefs don't match ours, there is no need to be aggressive or intolerant. For example, a person who is a vegetarian is no better or worse than a non-vegetarian. Diversity is our country's strength, and we are proud of it—something we have always been proud of.

Achievements in academics, games and extra curricular activities are very important but just as important is being kind and generous to others. To live in harmony inspite of all our differences we may have in our cultures, religious beliefs and eating habits.

Our present situation can be summed up by taking the metaphor from the Piano:

You can make music with the white keys, and you can make music with the black keys, but to make music in complete harmony you need the black and the white keys.

RP Devgan is the Chairman of Learning Forward India, a long-serving teacher, and the head of schools worldwide.

Transformative Learning: Strategies for Success

Reflection questions based on Chapter 5: Performance Scores Must Be Honest and Chapter 6: People, Scores and Outcomes from My Good School by Sandeep Dutt:

Chapter 5: Performance Scores Must Be Honest

1. How can we ensure student assessments reflect their understanding and growth rather than just test-taking ability?
   (Consider both academic and personal development perspectives.)

2. How does honest feedback, both given and received, influence the learning culture in a school?
   (Reflect on the role of trust and transparency in your teaching or learning environment.)

Chapter 6: People Scores and Outcomes

3. How can we better measure a student's contribution to the school community beyond academic grades?
   (Think about leadership, collaboration, empathy, and service.)

4. What changes can we make in our schools to shift the focus from competition to character and community development?
   (Reflect on how success is currently defined and how it could be reimagined.)

📚 My Good School Reading Session Summary

🌿 A Special Session at Khan Farm

The recent reading session was uniquely held at Khan Farm, near Rajaji National Park, offering a serene and natural setting for a meaningful gathering. The session was designed for our Special Schools and brought together participants from various regions.

The virtual meeting ran smoothly thanks to a smooth technical setup and strong coordination. The peaceful surroundings and collaborative spirit made the session memorable, highlighting the power of learning in harmony with nature.

📖 Chapter Discussion: Reflections on Chapters 5 and 6

The main body of the session was focused on Chapters 5 and 6: Performance Scores Must be Honest and People Scores and Outcomes from the reading material.
Key discussion points included:

• Self-Care and Love: A highlight was the importance of nurturing the self—connecting body, mind, and soul.

• Teacher Reflections: Sandeep Dutt encouraged teachers to reflect on their challenges and share personal stories to build mutual understanding.

• Work-life balance: This theme emerged as a crucial takeaway, emphasizing emotional well-being and balance in professional and personal spheres.

⚖️ Balancing Act: Challenges in Education

The session moved into more profound reflections around the daily struggles teachers face:

• Peer Pressure and Burnout: Discussed as everyday stressors among educators.

• Work-Life Balance: Reiterated by Seema Khare, who introduced the idea of a "Tipping Point", stressing the need to maintain harmony to prevent burnout.

• Group consensus formed around the importance of self-awareness, mindfulness, and time management.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Self-care is not a luxury—educators need to be effective.

• Building positive connections within oneself enhances professional capability.

• Regular reflections help personal growth and create a culture of empathy and openness in schools.

• Staying connected helps maintain momentum and mutual support among educators.

🏁 Closing & Gratitude

The session concluded with a warm thank you from My Good School Retreat.
Sandeep Dutt and Manisha stressed the importance of:

• Staying connected through WhatsApp groups and other digital platforms.

• Continuing open dialogue around well-being and personal development.

I request everyone to share their learning outcomes by posting a reflection below the post or emailing it to mk@learningforward.org.in. Your thoughts and insights will be valuable to the community! I look forward to applying these strategies and growing through such learning opportunities.

Session highlights

Meeting ID

Map of Success & The Last Lap : Masterclass Saturday March 29 , 2025

Chapter 20, Map of Success and Chapter 21, The Last Lap: Shomie Das The Man Who Saw Tomorrow by Naga Tummala

Q1. Failures are the stepping stones on the road to success. Instead of fearing failure, how can we help students develop a growth mindset where setbacks are seen as valuable learning experiences rather than obstacles? 

Q2. Success is not just about intelligence or talent but about the ability to take risks and adapt. How can we encourage students to step out of their comfort zones, take calculated risks, and embrace new growth opportunities?

Q3. "Thank God I Was a Backbencher." The author reflects on how not following the conventional path led to unexpected opportunities. How can we, as educators, identify and nurture the potential of students who may not excel in traditional academic settings?

Q4. "The choice of place shapes our journey." The author highlights how location and environment influence success in The Man Who Saw Tomorrow. As educators, how has your conscious decision to participate in this book reading session contributed to your growth and impact as a teacher? How can the insights gained from this discussion further benefit your students?

The Last Lap 

Looking back, that was the only way this story could have been taken ahead further. Shomie’s journey from Sanawar to Dehradun to take charge as headmaster of Doon School was not only one of pride; it would also lead to his fullest development as an educator with a vision. His stint at Doon would also toughen him up as a person, making him uncompromisingly tenacious when needed. The beneficiary, needless to say, would be Oakridge. 

With this the biography section of the book closes and we are set to read the closing section Back To The Future.

Cashing in on Confidence: Masterclass Saturday March 01, 2025

Chapter 16 Cashing in on Confidence: The Man Who Saw Tomorrow by Naga Tummala

Q1. The founders refused unethical shortcuts, such as buying leaked exam papers. How can integrity and ethical leadership shape an institution's long-term success, and how do we instill these values in students?

Q2. Overcoming financial struggles and setbacks required persistence and adaptability. As teachers, how can we model resilience in our profession and help students develop perseverance when they face academic or personal challenges?

Q3. The curry-leaf plant analogy emphasizes patience and long-term rewards. How can educators help students shift their focus from instant gratification to long-term success in academics and life?

Q4. The authors emphasize their goal of serving the community. How can teachers integrate community service and social responsibility into their teaching to inspire students to contribute positively to society?

Gurdeep Kaur
Ambassador The Teacher's Academy

Like vs Unlike- Mizan Ali

 The contrast between like and unlike is evident in the journey of a student who struggles under academic pressure yet refuses to conform to societal expectations. She is unlike the typical high achiever, often seen as an underdog, sitting at the back of the classroom. Society expects students to fit into the mold of toppers, but her journey challenges this notion. As the book suggests, “Success is not always about grades; sometimes, it’s about finding your true path.”  

However, she is also like many students who feel misunderstood and pressurized. Her struggles with expectations, friendships, and self-worth resonate with countless others. The story reflects this reality: “Marks define nothing but a moment in time, not a person’s potential.”  

The contrast between like and unlike extends to friendships as well. Some people support her uniqueness, while others try to change her, believing academic success is the only road to a bright future. This interplay highlights a central message—true growth comes from self-discovery rather than mere conformity.  

The journey beautifully balances like and unlike, making it a deeply relatable yet thought-provoking reflection on the pressures of student life.

Mizan Ali
Sunbeam Indiranagar

Copy vs Not to Copy: A Moral Lesson

In a thought-provoking and engaging scene enacted by three teachers, students are taught the importance of integrity and the consequences of dishonesty during examinations. The short play "The Choice is Yours" explores the dilemma of copying versus honest effort and leaves a lasting impact on everyone who watches it.

The scene is set in a classroom during an examination. Teacher 1, known for strict but fair demeanour, reminded the students about the importance of honesty, urging them to rely on their preparation and trust in their abilities. Shortly the teacher stepped out, leaving the students under the supervision of Teacher 2, a lighthearted and mischievous character. Teacher 2, pretending to represent the tempting voice of shortcuts, humorously encouraged the idea of peeking at a friend’s answers, suggesting it was a harmless and quick solution.

However, Teacher 3, the calm observer, questioned this mindset, and pointed out the deeper implications of such actions, asking whether copying truly helped in the long run or merely set students up for failure when no one was there to assist them.

The turning point came when Teacher 1 returned and caught a student (imagined) red-handed in the act of copying. They sternly explained the consequences, underscoring that dishonesty leads to failure and regret. Teacher 2, acting as the enabler, tried to defend the action, suggesting that it was common and insignificant. Teacher 3, in a composed manner, delivered the moral of the story, stating that true growth comes from hard work and honest effort, not shortcuts.

The scene concluded with a powerful message from all three teachers. They highlighted the importance of choosing integrity over dishonesty, even when it feels challenging. The enactment ended with a meaningful quote:

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” – C.S. Lewis

The impactful performance a reminder to the students that while the path of honesty may be difficult, it is the only one that leads to true success and self-respect. It encouraged everyone to embrace integrity as a core value in their academic journey and beyond.

Reeta Tiwari, Sneha Singh and Sanyogita Dubey 
Sunbeam English School Bhagwanpur, Varanasi

Right Vs Wrong - Mizan Ali

Many a time children do not talk meaningfully at this age, the reason may be physical development, practical knowledge, and mental development are not able to connect because a part of the brain is still developing, so children are not so far-sighted in adolescence, they keep experimenting due to which sometimes they get into trouble. In such a situation, parents and teachers should understand the ups and downs of this age. 

Just like we become suspicious and cautious when we see even a slight change in our children's behaviour, likewise a teacher should also be careful in school. If we feel some change in a student's daily behaviour is required,  then we should take the child into our confidence and try to understand his mental state. It will be possible only when the student has faith in us so that if he goes into the wrong company due to a feeling of rebellion or pressure from classmates, we can rescue him from that situation and be a success.

Mizan Ali
Sunbeam Indiranagar

To Copy VS Not To Copy - Mizan Ali

"A renewed effort after failure tends to be even more creative." 

Success in life is measured by self-awareness and knowledge, which brings maturity and growth. However, in the context of student life, success is often mistakenly equated with the marks obtained on a result sheet. In reality, these scores have limited value in shaping practical life outcomes. Measuring success solely by grades rarely equips students with real-world challenges.

Under the pressure of parents and societal expectations, students often resort to unethical methods—cheating, writing answers on their palms, or sneaking in notes during exams. When these actions are exposed, the student faces embarrassment. Yet, such behavior stems not from malice, but from the overwhelming focus on securing good grades.

Interestingly, children labeled as "unfocused" or "weak in studies" demonstrate remarkable focus when they attempt to cheat. Their fear of failure pushes them to find ways to succeed by any means necessary. This raises an important question: Can a child who displays such determination truly be considered weak? The problem lies not in their capability, but in the misguided approach they adopt to achieve their goals.

As teachers and parents, it is essential to instill strong moral values in children. We must help them understand that exams are not just about obtaining high marks, but about honestly evaluating their knowledge and skills. True literacy and success are measured by how well they can apply this knowledge in real-life situations.

Mizan Ali

Sunbeam Indiranagar

War Vs Peace - Vijeta Wilson

War Vs Peace 

I remember the day I joined Sunbeam Indiranagar with anxiety and nervousness. This was my first job as a teacher and I was so excited because I knew I was going to learn new things and figure out how to be patient with little children. 

I got a tremendous opportunity to showcase my talent and new ideas. I got to know people with different mindsets. Although it was challenging to adapt to the school policies, teaching methodology, and existing dynamics between staff and students, I really enjoyed the days with so many ups and downs.

On the other hand, there was a time when I tried to connect with new people and this success was visible because welcoming someone new always requires empathy, openness and inclusivity which has a favourable effect on the individual. puts.  

Thoughts on pros and cons (War vs. peace)

1. Benefits of joining a new place

• Opportunities to connect with new people.
• Getting diverse perspectives.

2. Disadvantages of joining a new place

• Ignored
• Unfamiliar environment
• Challenges of fitting into the organization.

High-risk behaviour in the classroom -

As such, I have not experienced many high-risk scenarios in my classroom. But I just want to share a recent incident that happened in my class. There was a child in my class who suddenly started shouting and throwing books during class. He was not at all interested in doing any work in class. He often used abusive words in class. This would really upset the whole class.

I tried to talk to the child on my end but was unsuccessful so I gave the child a quiet place to sit (e.g. library or computer lab) and took help from the school counselor. I realized how challenging it can be for teachers to handle such situations.  While handling this situation I learned that teachers can reduce the impact of high-risk behavior and promote a safe, supportive environment in the classroom for everyone

Sunbeam Indiranagar 

Vijeta Wilson

Where Passion Meets Education - Christa Campsall

If you want to be featured on our cover, please schedule a 30-minute recording session. I only record one show per month. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Sign up for a Founder Member Subscription for the Good Schools India Journal at: https://www.gsi.in/subscribe. 

 2. Book a meeting at: https://calendly.com/mygoodschool.

- Sandeep Dutt

Read on Substack

For every passionate educator, the only determinant of success is the relationships we develop with our students. Most success comes from intuition and an inherent belief that every individual is unique and has the power to make a difference in the world. Where Passion Meets Education (WPME) host Sandeep Dutt

War Vs Peace- Mizan Ali

My journey so far as a teacher; Joining a new school

Transition to a new school as a teacher can be both exciting and challenging. It seems difficult to navigate the transition smoothly but it actually depends on many factors. I still remember my first day at Sunbeam Indiranagar. 

It was the 1st of  Feb 2023, the harshness of the winter was moribund, the temperature was mild, the sky was clear, and early signs of spring were visible. A scenic landscape was in front of me. A cosy place; not very big in infrastructure but big at heart, created a stunning sight for exploration and learning. Longer daylight and a perennially blooming shady neem tree standing in the eastern corner of the assembly ground, protected people from harsh sunlight for decades and gave a peekaboo view of the vast sky, providing ample scenic beauty to admire nature's blessings with refreshing and invigorating air all around, took away my heart as if it was love at first sight.

My sight captured the view of a designated space in the centre, for the performance of little artists to begin their journey of becoming eloquent orators and dramatists, in future.

I entered Indiranagar premises, being an optimistic person I didn't lose hope so I gave a second chance to myself and prayed to God to help me prove my worth but still, my heart was skipping beats.

I had worked tirelessly at my previous workplace, giving my tooth to it, even in bleak circumstances related to my health and happiness, but I couldn't prove myself. So again I swam with the current to prove myself.

I kept walking and then climbed the uncarpeted stairs to reach the staffroom. I was a little nervous and had some apprehensions about my future but with a big smile, I entered and found inquisitive eyes, smiling faces and open arms to accept this fallen leaf of a strong, old renowned tree. And soon they became strong pillars for me, no less than family. They were generous, kind, and gave me a warm welcome, showed nonjudgmental behaviour that allowed me to fly high & walk the extra mile.

The day passed enthusiastically and we had a lot of fun working together. After a few days, I was asked to move to the kindergarten section as a recruit was demanded over there. Meeting all new faces back to back was a little sceptical but I was proved wrong. Their heart and arms both were waiting for me. They made me old in a day. 

Ongoing learning, tireless striving towards perfection, daily insights and of course the true and unconditional support of my work buddies made me what I am today. The appreciation, trust and recognition by the chairperson and colleagues helped me gain my courage back, granting me access to demonstrate my confidence and allowing me to think and do beyond boundaries. Hence what I learnt at Indiranagar is not to be judgmental even with the Wanted Back Bencher and Last Ranker Teacher (Book by Kavita Bhupta Ghosh).

A unique, note-worthy, verdant, enchanting, harmonious, majestic, luminous and invigorating school that nestles its people to foster growth, is my ''Sunbeam Indiranagar'' a great source of peace for me!

Mizan Ali 

Sunbeam Indiranagar

Why Relationships Matter? - Reeta Tiwari

"Relationship matters a lot" to me. It can bring happiness and joy to life. The most significant relationship that can enhance all other experiences is the one with yourself. By consistently working on this beautiful relationship, we can improve self-care, self-love, and overall well-being.

While relationships with family and friends can bring happiness and joy to life, the best relationship is between me and my son. My son is six years old. When I come home and see the happiness on his face and in his eyes, it makes my day. He waits for me in the evening to play, and when I deny him, he gets angry. Then he wants me to make him smile. This "Ruthana Manana" is the best relationship in the world.

Relationships matter because they provide emotional support, connection, and a sense of belonging. They contribute to personal growth, happiness, and overall well-being. The relationship fosters a positive learning environment, promotes trust, and enhances communication. A solid teacher-student relationship can inspire motivation, academic success, and a lifelong love for learning.

Reeta Tiwari

Sunbeam, Bhagwanpur

Varanasi

Image courtesy Canva Pro

Why Relationships Matter? - Mizan Ali

A relationship is the plinth of life. It is mandatory for everyone from the womb to the tomb. A fetus has a relationship with the womb, a teacher has a relationship with his/her students, a cloud has a relationship with rain, a plant has a relationship with soil, a devotee has a relationship with deity ...and they hear the innocent and innermost thoughts and feeling of each other which are often not expressed or only hinted at, through their actions.

A healthy relationship shields not only in fair weather but equally in sickness. Standing in tranquillity even the Laburnum tree finds itself lonely as the goldfinches transform the tree and make it alive, without the goldfinch and the chicks the Laburnum is just like any other tree. 

Overall what can be deduced out of this is that if one wants to live a dynamic life one has to have healthy relationships in all possible ways. Relationships are essential to humans. It is difficult to express what is a perfect relationship but it's quite easy to be one of those perfect people who carry relationships with love, care, trust, respect and honesty. 

It always adds meaning to life and gives purpose to live life to the fullest. The success of a student depends on the relationship he or she has with his or her teacher, how much they value each other and how they develop a connection among themselves based on mutual understanding. The same goes for other relationships too. 

It's a must to maintain relationships, to keep them healthy forever, & this applies to all relationships. But if it doesn't, the sugar coating recedes with the passing of time and the relationship ends in a broken, lost situation. Only verbal commitments do not work; one needs to express his/her love, through caregiving, and gratitude, through his her body language, gestures and the way they interact.

For example, if we see a perfect classroom it means that somewhere there is a strong relationship between the teacher and the student's communication and it plays a major role in building a strong relationship whether it is verbal, visual, nonverbal or any other way. Humans can't live alone; we need healthy relationships, which is crucial for healthy and meaningful survival. 

To conclude, I must state that relationships are eternal, infinite and pure and we must contribute to them through honesty, compromise individuality communication, control and purity of heart and soul.

Mizan Ali 

Sunbeam School, Indiranagar

Hope and Friendship - Jaspreet Kaur

A student who has lost all hope 

If it was a real-life situation, were you successfully helping him/her overcome their problem? 

Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. As an educator, every day comes across several incidents where students lose hope. Here I will tell one real-life incident where a grade V student lost hope and how I motivated her and brought a smile to her face. 

Incident- In Grade V, one new girl student was admitted. When she spoke something, she fumbled a lot. There was some medical health issue. When she joined our school, a group of students laughed at her in class. The next period was mine. I asked that girl, "Why are you crying?" 

She explained everything to me. Firstly, I counselled those students not to make fun of others; they wrote apology letters too. Lat,  I hugged her tightly. Then, I started to appreciate the girl whenever she gave an answer. Whether the answers were not right sometimes, all students still enjoyed her by clapping. Gradually, I observed that girl always had a smile on her face. She is an intelligent girl, and her percentage drastically improved that year. I brought candies on her birthday in Grade V and distributed them in class. I told her that her father had sent those candies for her. When she went back home, she came to know the truth. Now, the girl is on senior campus in Grade VIII, but she still messages me on special occasions and always calls me if she needs help. 

Outcome- I acted as a facilitator and friend and was ultimately successful in helping her to overcome her problem. 

A student with no friends in school 

What is your advice to educators who want to inculcate these values in their students? 

Friendship is a state of enduring affection, esteem, intimacy, and trust between two people. In all cultures, friendships are important relationships throughout a person's life span. 

Incident- In the middle of the session, one boy got admission to Grade V. He came from a village. Other students are studying together in Grade Nursery. 

This new admission student boy could not adjust to the new environment in a new place. He is below average student. I have already made a buddy system in my class. I made buddies and seating arrangements for new students with the class monitors. Now he can read all languages with confidence. It's near about three months now. Now all students in my class talk to him in a  friendly way. He shares all his problems with his new friend. He is very delighted to be here in our school.  

Advice- The teacher should appreciate and always try to motivate students for their excellent work. They should also encourage them to develop pro-social behaviour. Students should be taught to help and be kind and honest with others. Values-based education is an essential part of student's lives; it establishes an environment that allows them to grow in their academics, social and expertise. Values help in the formation of positive thinking. It helps in developing understanding and relationships between students and teachers. It also enhances attitudes and ways of looking at situations that allow them to achieve their objectives and success in all the ups and downs. Values-based education is an essential part of students' lives; it establishes an environment that helps them grow in their academics, social and expertise.

Values help in the formation of positive thinking. It helps in developing understanding and relationships between students and teachers. It also enhances attitudes and ways of looking at situations that allow them to achieve their objectives and success in all the ups and downs.

~Jaspreet Kaur

Kamla Nehru Public School

Responsibility and Cooperation - Maithreyi Venkataraman

Responsibility & Cooperation

Responsibility is a term we often hear in different phases of our lives, and it can be fulfilled in a limitless number of ways. This is one such value that every human is born with; it’s the cultivation and realization dependent on the environment in which one is nurtured. 

Let’s now take a moment to understand the easiest way to explain the term – ‘Responsible’ – it is the act of being brave enough to accept the consequences of one’s act .

Responsibility in other words is a position / duty given to a person to fulfill. Every person has varied responsibilities at the same time .Eg: A student holds the responsibility of representing his /her school, his/her family, his/her class and, more specifically, their section. At times, a child gets anxious on hearing this word out of fear. 

As they grow older, the responsibility of a person goes through a transitory phase. It is very important that a person be exposed to shouldering responsibilities at an early age. It develops a sense of confidence in a student and teaches them ways to accept and handle their success and failures in a very effective way.

Teamwork activities always encourage one to hone their skills to work in a cooperative manner. A simple activity that I held in my class was – rearranging the furniture of the classroom – I gave a task to the students of my class to rearrange the tables and chairs in a U shape pattern, but without speaking a word, I was amazed seeing the way they understood each other just by their gestures and cooperated with one another to complete the act successfully. I feel this was achieved as I did not appoint any leader to any group, but told the students that each of them is responsible for their own individual actions and for their actions as a whole. 

Ms. Maithreyi Venkataraman

Gyanshree School

Joy Of Learning - Sandeep Dutt

Thank you, #SGEF 2022 (Photo courtesy Edupulse Media)

Sandeep Dutt

@MyGoodSchool

·

Aug 10 via Twitter

This is where passion meets education; never my purpose of making schools my bread and butter, just a steadfast belief that our young people deserve a better world. This is what makes the Learning Forward India Foundation my be-all and end-all. The Joy Of Learning Program 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.

The Future Of Learning - Long-lasting success in professional learning needs a ‘culture of learning,’ this is where I feel teachers need to take charge of their own learning. They can support your teams to design the future of education and transform your school to deliver better learning outcomes.

I see the possibility of a nation where every school offers young people the opportunity to be rewarded for challenging themselves, engaging with adult mentors when finishing school, and giving back to their communities. We can help connect young people with new opportunities to change their world. #JoyOfLearning

Philanthropy is not just giving for charity. Its real meaning is social wealth creation.

Please join us to spread the joy of learning. With deep respect for the teacher in every living being,

Sandeep Dutt #HappyTeachers