Many teachers at Isha Vidhya have been teaching at the school for over ten years. Frequent teacher training workshops in the school’s hands-on, play-way teaching methodology, combined with years of rich experience, have made these educators Isha Vidhya’s pillars of strength.

In this blog celebrating Teacher’s Day (5 September), read stories from some of these teachers as they recount their teaching journeys.

“For three months, a UKG student cried constantly and often tried to run out of the classroom, but with patience and encouragement, I helped the child settle down. I was her class teacher for three years, which created a lasting bond. After completing Class 12, she returned to thank me with a gift from her mother. I blessed her but refused to accept the gift at first. However, when she insisted, I accepted it out of respect for her mother’s wishes. That moment made me feel I had truly made a difference.”

“My first job was teaching Class 1 students at Isha Vidhya. Continuous training workshops gave wings to my teaching abilities, and I now teach up to Class 9. I also offer specific support to students who are below average. Recently, a Class 9 student remarked, ‘I attended your Lightning Classes when I was studying in the primary section, and it helped me improve my reading and writing skills.’ This unexpected expression of gratitude touched me immensely.”

“I've been fortunate to bond with my students and fellow teachers during my 15-year journey at Isha Vidhya. I teach Classes 3 and 4, and when my current and former students specially meet me to share their thoughts, it is a meaningful experience of being there for them and providing a supportive space for them to share their feelings. When the Principal told me, ‘You are a relatable person, and that benefits your primary section students,’ it made me feel grateful and fulfilled.”

“As a novice teacher, the Happy Classroom workshop I attended at Isha Vidhya helped me handle my primary section students and keep them attentive and engaged. The practical strategies and techniques brought tremendous improvement in both teaching and learning outcomes. Another rewarding moment was when an average student from my first Class 10 batch acknowledged my support in her speech for helping her achieve academic excellence.”

“I became a teacher to fulfil my mother’s wish and have been a UKG teacher at Isha Vidhya for 12 years. I had a memorable experience when a mother recounted that my student made her parents sit before the blackboard at home, imitated me, and taught them words and sang rhymes like me. Guiding LKG students to adopt the UKG level of learning is a daunting task, but it gives me a chance to get to know each student inside out, making it easier to overcome the challenges and cherish their growth.”

“My Tamil teacher in school inspired me to follow in her footsteps. I used to find it difficult to manage a restless class, but after attending the Classroom Management Workshop, I applied the techniques and instructions to keep my students engaged. Once, a student wrote me a small thank-you note after I spent extra time helping her with Tamil. She mentioned that she was no longer afraid of the subject. That simple gesture touched my heart deeply.”

“I once faced a challenging incident when some of my students struggled to stay focused and remain interested in their studies. When I employed the techniques learned during the Joyful Learning workshop by introducing more interactive methods, storytelling, and activity-based teaching, I noticed they gradually started participating with enthusiasm, and their academic performance improved. It was satisfying to make learning enjoyable for them.”