Think back to the teacher who made you feel seen, who recognized your potential even when you doubted yourself. Remember the lessons that stayed with you long after the school bell rang, the words of encouragement that gave you the confidence to chase your dreams. Teachers are the unsung heroes of our lives, dedicating themselves to shaping not just our minds, but our characters and futures.
Building a Community of Appreciation
At our schools, we believe that teaching is not just a profession but a noble vocation that deserves immense respect and recognition. As the Director of these institutions, I am deeply committed to ensuring that our educators feel valued and supported, both professionally and personally. To achieve this, we have instituted several unique initiatives to connect with our teachers’ families, recognising the crucial role they play in supporting our Learning Champions.
One such initiative is our “Happy Calling” program, where the school principal personally calls the families of our teachers to express our gratitude and appreciation. These calls serve as a heartfelt acknowledgement of the sacrifices and support that families provide, enabling our teachers to excel in their roles. We also invite families to our school to witness firsthand the impact of their loved ones’ work and to join us in celebrating their achievements. This sense of community and shared pride helps create a supportive environment that extends beyond the classroom, fostering a culture of gratitude and respect.
Empowering Teachers as Nation Builders
Teaching is one of the most honourable professions, and I firmly believe that teachers are the true nation-builders. They play a pivotal role in shaping not just the minds but also the character of our students, preparing them to become responsible and informed citizens. At DPS, we are committed to empowering our educators through continuous growth and professional development.
To this end, we have established a dedicated Professional Development Cell that works tirelessly throughout the year to create diverse learning opportunities for our teachers. From workshops and seminars to collaborative learning sessions, we ensure that our educators are equipped with the latest knowledge, skills, and methodologies to provide the best educational experience to every child.
Moreover, we encourage our teachers to travel across the nation, exploring the best learning experiences and broadening their horizons. These journeys allow them to immerse themselves in different educational environments, observe best practices, and bring back innovative ideas that enhance our teaching methods. By equipping themselves with the skills and knowledge needed to excel, our teachers continue to grow as educators, ensuring that they can inspire and empower every student they teach.
A Vision for Nationwide Impact
While my focus has been on empowering the teachers and school leaders within our schools, I am now looking to expand this vision to a national level. With this goal in mind, we have launched “Equanimity Learning,” a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering a success mindset among educators across the country. Through Equanimity Learning, we strive to empower schools to continuously improve themselves, embracing innovation and excellence in their teaching practices.
By investing in the professional growth of our educators, we hope to spread this wave of learning and empowerment to schools nationwide. My aim is to ensure that every child in India receives a world-class education.
Celebrating Our Real Heroes
On this Teachers’ Day, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every educator across the nation. These are the true heroes who, day in and day out, dedicate themselves to shaping the minds and hearts of our future generations. They work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to prepare our children for the challenges and opportunities that await them in life.
As we celebrate the invaluable contributions of these educators, let us also reaffirm our commitment to supporting and empowering them in every possible way. Our teachers deserve more than just recognition; they deserve our full support to continue their journey of inspiring, guiding, and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.
To all the Learning Champions out there—thank you for your dedication, boundless passion, and deep commitment to the art of education. You are the backbone of our society, the pillars upon which our future stands, and we are profoundly grateful for everything you do. Today and every day, we celebrate you.
By Siddharth Rajgarhia, Chief Learner & Director, Delhi Public School Varanasi, Nashik, Lava Nagpur and Hinjawadi, and Co-Founder, Equanimity Learning.