Vanar Year - Pre Primary school (Sprouting Seeds - Kindergarten)
Seema Upadhyaya, Head - Pre Primary School
Seema Upadhyaya is the Head of Primary School. With a post graduation in Business Management, Hotel Management and corporate experience, she moved on to connect with progressive education in 1998.
Her passion to understand and learn more about children and education led her to undergo the Waldorf Teacher Training Programme. She worked as a Waldorf teacher and later associated herself with the Sri Sri Vidya Mandir Schools.
The journey with Shikshantar began with its inception. Through her experiences at Shikshantar, she has deepened her understanding of experiential learning, classroom practices, curriculum and teaching methodologies. She has grown here from a teacher to a Curriculum Coordinator, Supervisor and now the Head of Primary School.
Putting down her musings as an educator interests her and she contributes to her blog whenever the urge to share her observations and learning grips her. “My learning has been in the road taken to travel so far… and I continue to walk.”
Jyotsna Chandan, Academic Coordinator, Sproutng Seeds, Nursery and Kindergarten
Jyotsna began her journey at Shikshantar in 2007, as a group facilitator. She is a Postgraduate in History and a Bachelor of Education. She also holds a Diploma in Montessori school training.
Engaging with children during her years as a facilitator, she was fascinated by their curiosity and willingness to explore and learn. Through her experiences, she gained an understanding of the world as lived by children. Her organic growth in Shikshantar from facilitator to coordinator has helped her unlearn and learn about different aspects of education. That, along with her whole-hearted belief in the principles embodied by Shikshantar, she works closely with teachers, guiding, planning and implementing curricular experiences that respond to children’s interests, innate need to explore, and keen sense of enquiry.
In her spare time, Jyotsna likes to read, cook, travel, and learn more about the world around her.
Shruti Singh, Curriculum Coordinator, Sprouting Seeds
Having done her graduation in Psychology and Masters in Mass Communication, she worked for 9 years in the field of PR and Corporate Communication. She then took a break from the corporate world to spend time with her children.
She initially joined the Shikshantar family as a parent in the year 2007. In 2014, she became a part of the Pre-primary team as a facilitator. Her ability to sensitively connect with children has helped her build an understanding about their world. Her experiences of progressive education at Shikshantar have helped her to create a learning environment that encourages children to observe, explore and make new discoveries.
Reading a wide variety of books helps satiate her need to develop her linguistic skills. However, it is listening to and narrating stories to children that bring her immense joy.
Finding Feet - Primary School (Classes I - IV)
Seema Upadhyaya, Head - Primary School
Seema Upadhyaya is the Head of Primary School. With a post graduation in Business Management, Hotel Management and corporate experience, she moved on to connect with progressive education in 1998.
Her passion to understand and learn more about children and education led her to undergo the Waldorf Teacher Training Programme. She worked as a Waldorf teacher and later associated herself with the Sri Sri Vidya Mandir Schools.
The journey with Shikshantar began with its inception. Through her experiences at Shikshantar, she has deepened her understanding of experiential learning, classroom practices, curriculum and teaching methodologies. She has grown here from a teacher to a Curriculum Coordinator, Supervisor and now the Head of Primary School.
Putting down her musings as an educator interests her and she contributes to her blog whenever the urge to share her observations and learning grips her. “My learning has been in the road taken to travel so far… and I continue to walk.”
Amrita Sinha, Curriculum Coordinator - Classes III & IV
Amrita Sinha is the curriculum facilitator and coordinator for class III and IV
The stepping stone in the field of education for her was the ‘Teachers’ Training Program’ at Aurobindo Ashram. This was followed by Bachelor’s and Master’s in English and Bachelors in Education. The extensive teacher training programme from the progressive school Mirambika took her on a journey of integrated and experiential learning. The intense three years long teacher training program provided a base for her to understand progressive education, integrated learning and whole language approach. The journey continued with Shikshantar which shares a similar philosophy and vision of integrated and progressive education.
Her association with Shikshantar has strengthened her belief in Experiential and Progressive Learning and Integral five-fold Education. Ten years of close company with young children has reinforced to her the importance and need for a curriculum to evolve and revolve around child’s growth. She has also designed and implemented an effective and inclusive curriculum for the special needs children.
As a curriculum facilitator and coordinator, she believes “Learning is spiral with depth and breadth as goals” and for her- Education starts at birth and never ends…
Climbing Feet, Finding Grounds & Finding Self - Middle & Senior School (Classes V - XII)
Anita Nair, Head - Senior School
Anita Nair is Head of Middle & Senior School. Anita Nair’s first passion is teaching, having had the fortune of been mentored by teachers who went much beyond their immediate responsibility of teaching. They prepared her for life by building her self-esteem, enhancing her confidence, and arming her with a strong and sound character. Once she was done with her studies, her mother told her that teaching was one of the noblest professions one can pursue…a profession that directly engages one with children and their lives. It is with this conviction that she took up this profession and there is no looking back.
After years of experience as a teacher in Army Public school, the move to Shikshantar was a huge shift. In her first interaction with Minoti didi and Sunil bhaiya, she was awed to know that there is a school where children love to come everyday…where Biology classes happens right amidst flora and fauna…where children ask questions without any inhibitions…
In Shikshantar she was entrusted with assignments that the school pursues for bringing forth the best in students and in addressing the issues that hinder their wholesome development.
While teaching students about the great mysteries that the human spirit of enquiry has unravelled, a teacher must hail the human beings who worked for it and highlight the travails they went through and the mettle that they displayed. As a teacher, she tried to connect to her students-their strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, and fears-so that she could help them overcome their limitations and excel in what they are good at.
Apart from curiosity, she had immense respect for knowledge and knowledgeable persons. Her learning repository always has room for more. Learning perhaps, happens spontaneously if the curiosity to learn is fostered. As a teacher, she always tried to endow her students with this attribute, so that the quest for knowledge becomes part of their lives.
Shweta Saxena, Academic Coordinator - Classes IX - XII
Shweta Saxena started her journey in Shikshantar in 2013 as a Chemistry facilitator and has facilitated the subject across Classes IX to XII. She has done her Masters in Chemistry and Bachelors of Education. As a passionate Chemistry teacher her enthusiasm for the subject and dedication to instil love for Chemistry were her key areas of commitment. Her journey continued when she became the Group facilitator. As a Group facilitator she enjoyed each moment with the children understanding their perspective and building a strong relationship with them. This helped her understand each student's strengths and challenges, allowing her to tailor her teaching approach to meet their individual needs.
A strong connect with the children, dedication to education and passion for Chemistry took her from being a Group facilitator to a Curriculum Coordinator for Classes IX to XII. Valuing the input from teachers, administrators, and recognizing the importance of a team effort in shaping an effective and cohesive curriculum are her key approaches. Collaboration is the heart of her work as a Curriculum Coordinator.
As a Curriculum facilitator and coordinator, she believes “ Education is not the filing of a pail, but the lightening of a fire.”-
Taruna Chauhan, Academic Coordinator - Classes V - VI
Taruna Chauhan is the curriculum facilitator and coordinator for classes V and VI.Her journey began with Montessori training way back in 2009 which helped her to understand the little
minds. She began to show inclination towards progressive approach of learning by reading books on Progressive education.
A post graduate in English Literature ,having qualified for NET , Montesori trained educator ;on her way to a new beginining towards integrated and expressional learning she joined Shikshantar in 2010 and thus got into the journey of progressive education. Her association with Shikshantar has strengthened over the period as it helped her to closely observe a child’s perspective .She believes that every day is a new learning in Shikshantar . She has in her own unique way created a one of a kind bond and trust with children.
Having spent the initial 5 years at Primary school , helped her to undersatand the social emotioal needs of the child and be more empathatic towards inclusion . Her association with Middle school has further enhanced her understanding and delve deep into the Progressive learning .She believes that ‘’Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.’’