Sudhir Mahajan
WHAT MAKES ME A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
I am having 17 years of experience in the field of Education and served both in State Govt. and Central Govt. Affiliated schools. Under my guidance school has produced excellent results in Board Classes due to this I was honoured by Hon’ble Governor and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in 2001-2002 session. I received ‘Shiksha Ratna Puraskar’ by Iswam Academy in 2012 for extraordinary work in the field of Education.
I was appointed observer for NEET/IIT JEE / CTET exams by CBSE, conducted many career guidance and counselling seminars for students free of cost. I am also the recipient of Mahatma ‘Jyotiba Phule Shikshan Tadnya Award’ also for sublime work in Education and Youth development field.
MY MISSION AS A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
I intend to develop and equip the children of India for the challenges of the 21st century by inculcating within them Innovation, Commitment, Openness, Self-dependence to become good citizens.
LEARNING BY DOING
We have organised various ‘hands on learning workshops’ for our students and teachers at our school such as Robotics workshop, Mid-brain activation workshop, National Children Science Congress Workshop, Creative Learning Workshop, Parenting Workshop, Career guidance and Counselling Workshops etc.
I have designed P-MAP…. Podar Mental Ability Programme to prepare the students for competitive exams right from standard III. This programme has been appreciated by Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister of Maharashtra in 2014-15 session.
Symphonics programme for primary students is carried out in the school for Language development.
Maths Lab, English lab, Science lab, ICT lab is being used by the students for the experimental learning.
Golden hour – Students look forward to the golden hour every week where Art and Craft, Puppet making or a Nature walk lighting up the young minds daring to experiment and explore.
INTEGRATED CURRICULUM
The lesson plans are formulated in such a way so as to show students interlinkages within the entire curriculum.
We have a special discipline in Creative learning whereby theme based connections between all other disciplines are made.
Every subject has an Integrated Project of 10 marks where all the disciplines are learnt by the students through a single and common topic.
We design theme for each and every month. On the basis on this theme students decorate soft boards of their classes and many activities are conducted relating to the theme to learn new concepts.The theme is culminated in the form of events.
INTEGRATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTO EDUCATION THROUGH FACULTY
The cross-curricular approach through Integrated English subject – Explore, experience and implement gives students tremendous opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills. It is introduced as a separate curriculum subject.
PROBLEM SOLVING & CRITICAL THINKING AMIDST THE FACULTY
Once I appoint a teacher, he /she is put through a rigorous induction programme that trains teachers with teaching methods, best practices, critical thinking and process that are required in the field of Education.
Special ‘Intensive Education Cell’ is designed in the school to enable teachers to understand the Educational Psychology and solve the problems of students in a psychological and scientific manner.
Capacity Building Programmes are conducted in the school for the teachers professional development and to inculcate educational leadership quality among them.
GROUP WORK AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS AMIDST THE FACULTY
I personally use monetary and non-monetary motivational methods to develop sense of belongingness towards the institution among the teachers. I believe in the theory that we should get the work done with the people, through the people but not by the people. Democratic leadership is the main source of group work. Proper delegation of authority, responsibility and duties make the environment positive. A well defined management hierarchy is implemented in the school with proper work profile. Many social activities are conducted in the school. Organisational behaviour and organisational dynamic concepts (OB and OD) are used in the school to develop group work nature. Kaizen (Small development and appreciation policy) concepts are used in the school.
UNDERSTANDING & ACTION BASED LEARNING
Thought provoking and innovative content for all learners is provided. Focus remains on Child centred lesson plans. Enhanced lesson plans are conducted with ICT approach, A.V. Aids and group discussions. Assessing the student understanding, aptitude and progress via learning objectives is a regular feature. We have designed ‘school development plan (SDP)’ for 3 years for the development of teaching learning process and to create the environment of understanding and action based learning. After every term we analyse the progress of SDP with proper strategies.
COLLABORATIVE & COOPERATIVE LEARNING PROJECTS FOR FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
I have introduced Collaborative and Cooperative learning project for faculty development through a series of workshops, group mentoring activities, inquiry based learning in a collaborative way where the teacher practices delivery teaching activities e.g. Micro teaching , Peer teaching etc.
EDUCATION ACCENTUATING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY
Social responsibility is personal investment in the well being of others and of the planet. It helps to safeguard democracy as all the students sit under the safe roof. The school’s open culture actively promotes all aspects of democracy. Students can explain confidently what is right or what is wrong. School education environment equips students to be thoughtful,caring and active citizens in school and in wider society.
DESIGN & DELIVERY OF A LEARNING ECOSYSTEM WHEREBY HIGHLY PERSONALIZED LEARNING ACCOUNTING IS DONE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL GOALS
Innovative teaching methodology practice at my school takes us deeper into the resources characterised by closed teamwork and service to one another. We used Words Worth English lab software for imparting a special learning technique for Spoken English. A number of group workshop aiming at specific subjects, leadership etc. for the individual development are also being organized.
INTEGRATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS INTO THE DAILY CURRICULUM
We conduct community service as a part of the curriculum which enhances students life skills and equip them with basic talents to be a useful citizen. The school provides extra curricular opportunities which extent students knowledge and understanding and improve their artistic, creative, social skills. We conduct many community service programme such as for Plantation Programme, Water Conservation, Road Safety and Traffic Rules, Cleanliness Drive, Women Empowerment, Health Awareness Programme etc.
FUTURISTIC SELECTION OF SUBJECT CONTENT
The curriculum makes a strong contribution to the very positive attitudes and skills of students which are needed in future society. The School celebrates all types of Local, Regional, National, Global festivals on a fix days as decided by school leadership team and mentioned in school diary. The school also invites special guest speakers from Local, Regional and National level to enthral students and develop global skills.
LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL SKILLS OF FACULTY MEMBERS
Training in different fields such as leadership training, behavioural training, life skill training, personality development training, child psychology training etc. is an integral component at our school. Continuing Education is promoted through distance courses. A well state Hierarchy of Leadership team has been created so as to promote an upward mobility. Periodic assessment through online test along with Yoga, Meditation and anger management classes are conducted for the faculty members time to time.
FACULTY ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION OF THEIR INNOVATIVE PROJECTS & PRODUCTIONS
I assess my faculty members on the basis of their dedication, hard work, determination , discipline, interest to strengthen the organisation and love for children. We conduct various online test and workshops to find out areas where teachers need improvement. We encourage, challenge and support teachers to improve. As a result, teaching is highly effective across the school.
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY TO FACULTY EMPOWERMENT
Professional and personal development sessions are conducted for the faculty. We have created a Democratic culture that enables staff to excel. Relationship between staff and leadership team is exemplary. A Fare and square judgement system pervades at my institution. Proper delegation of Power and authority is our signature. One to one interaction with the faculty to solve their grievances is a necessary ingredient along with a proper communication system supplanted with a feedback mechanism. Equal opportunity for growth and professional development based on a pre-defined performance appraisal system which is properly explained well in advance.