Good Schools of India
Joy of Learning Weekly #54
Brewing Knowledge Friday
Celebrate Literature, Art, and Culture at The English Book Depot! Discover the magic of reading in our cosy Book Cafe. Connect with book lovers, authors, and educators online or in person. Join us to brew your knowledge! #BrewingKnowledge
Fireside chat on Nainital, heritage, and community
Key Takeaways
Nainital as “living heritage” → personal memories + historical documentation; book born from 10–15 years of on-ground observation and archiving
Preservation vs change → advocate preserving viable heritage; accept smart infrastructure change where necessary; ~80% buildings not preserved, ~40% gone
Himalayan Echoes (Kumaon Literature & Arts) matured to a boutique, mountain-voices festival → 10th edition; ~25–26 authors; ~300 attendees cap; non-political, environment-forward
Reading advocacy needs handholding and simplification → short formats, visuals, school programs (Reader Leader in 4 govt. schools), podcasts as complements, not replacements
Author of the newly published book “Nainital, Through Memories, Stories and History”, Janhavi Prasada was born in Delhi and raised in the Kumaon hills of Nainital and the Terai plains of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. She works as a peace activist in the field of technology. She dabbles in outsider art and dedicates her time to the conservation and promotion of literature, music, local textiles, food, heritage monuments, the environment, and wellness in Uttarakhand. Tales of Young Gandhi is her first book, written in the foothills of the Himalayas at Abbotsford, her heritage homestay in Nainital.
Himalayan Echoes, an annual boutique festival in Nainital, now in its 10th edition, was founded by Janhavi Prasada and Namita Gokhale. The festival celebrates the cultural and ecological life of the Himalayas. Set against the backdrop of coniferous forests at Abbotsford Estate (a 145-year heritage hotel), it brings together storytellers, artists, musicians, thinkers, and environmental voices from India, Nepal, Bhutan, and beyond. Over two immersive days, audiences engage in literature, conversations, culinary traditions, and music, reflecting on the changing climate and the fragile beauty of mountain life.
The traditional role of a school principal is undergoing a massive transformation.
Once an academic anchor focused on the classroom, today’s school leader must be a strategist, a brand manager, and a financial custodian.
Episode 3 of The Education Verdict pulls back the curtain on the changing face of institutional leadership:
The New Age School Leader: Educator, Administrator, or CEO?
BOOKS OF THE WEEK
Too Good To Be True: The National #1 Bestseller Now in an Exclusive Hardback Edition with a Bonus Chapter and Colour-Your-Own Cover! by Prajakta Koli
ABOUT THE BOOK
Winner of the Amazon India Popular Choice Debut Book 2025 Award
Winner of Crossword Popular Choice Award for Fiction 2025
Winner of the Puri Literary Festival Book of the Year Award for Fiction 2025
Notes on Reading
I have always noticed how people hold books. I started observing this unconsciously. I’ve seen people fold the corner of a page without a second thought. The gesture is instinctive, almost absent-minded. They do it mid-sentence, mid-feeling. The crease becomes a private marker of urgency: I will come back to this. There is something unapologetic about it. The book is not being worshipped; it is being used.
Reflections on Teaching with Empathy and Growth - Sunbeam School, Ballia
An ideal teacher is someone who inspires, guides, and supports students with patience and kindness. They focus not only on academics but also on building character, confidence, and values. By leading with honesty and empathy, an ideal teacher leaves a lasting impact on students’ lives.
- Ritu Rai
Hiring Teachers Who Shape Classrooms - PYDS
Good teachers are lifelong learners who reflect, adapt, and collaborate. Hiring should align with the school’s values and culture to ensure long-term commitment. Careful teacher selection is not just recruitment—it is an investment in students’ growth and well-being.
PYDS Learning Academy
Pratiksha & Sheetal
We Are Hiring a Learning Architect- Pooja Chauhan
I believe a strong hiring process should intentionally create moments where the candidate has to think aloud, respond to an unexpected classroom situation, and demonstrate how they would include a hesitant learner.
Learning to Write Book Reviews - Lotus Petal Foundation
In today’s session, we learned about writing book reviews. Kartik Sir guided us step by step and told us that a good review should have a summary of the story and our honest opinion about it. He also explained that there should not be any ambiguity in our writing. Readers should clearly understand what fact is and what opinion is. I learned that expressing opinions confidently is important, but we should not present them as facts. This session improved my writing skills and confidence.
Adarsh – 5B
Learning Forward Saturday
Review teacher reflections and demonstrate practical AI tools for professional development.
Key Takeaways
Adaptability vs. Collaboration: Adaptability means fitting into a school’s culture (e.g., PYDS’s rural setting), while Collaboration is proactive engagement. Both are essential for contemporary teachers.
Reflection vs. Notes: Reflection is personal insight and growth; notes are a factual summary. The blog editing process (using Grammarly, Fathom) helps teachers learn this distinction by seeing their work refined.
AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: AI is a powerful assistant for efficiency (e.g., ChatGPT for drafting, Canva for graphics). The teacher’s “heart and soul” (empathy, creativity) and quality prompts remain indispensable.
Inclusivity is a Contemporary Value: Effective teaching requires actively including all students, especially “backbenchers,” by creating psychologically safe environments and recognising effort, not just performance.
Masterclass with Sandeep Dutt
To explore Adlerian psychology’s concepts of empathy, teleology, and the subjective nature of the past.
Key Takeaways
Empathy is a Skill, Not Sympathy: Empathy is the active skill of imagining another’s life to understand their perspective, distinct from passive agreement (sympathy).
Teleology Over Aetiology: Behaviour is the outcome of present goals, not past causes. The past is a tool used to justify current choices, not a determinant of them.
The Past Is Subjective: Memory is a narrative constructed to affirm one’s “self now.” It explains why people recall strict teachers with gratitude (to affirm their current success) or resentment (to justify current dissatisfaction).
Respect Is Contagious: Educators must model respect as an equal to students. This practice, like courage, spreads and builds a foundation for all relationships.
Sunday School
To read and discuss two books, focusing on themes of ambition and school life.
Key Takeaways
Low Attendance Due to Exams: Final exams for classes 9 & 11 (home) and 10 & 12 (board) significantly reduced student attendance.
Dual-Book Format: The session featured two books: a Japanese novel, What You’re Looking For in the Library, and a Hindi story, “The Whistling Schoolboy” from Kabhi Kabhi School Masti Ka Adda Lagta Tha.
Core Themes: The English novel explored ambition vs. responsibility through protagonist Ryo’s dream of opening an antique shop. The Hindi story used humour to highlight the fun, non-academic aspects of school life, such as plays and food.
“Parallel Career” Concept: A key idea from the English novel, a “parallel career” (coined by Peter Drucker), was introduced as a way to pursue two complementary careers without one being secondary.
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