Vanar Years

Mudita

Mudita has been associated with Shikshantar for the last 15 years. She joined the school in its third year and the two have happily grown together. She findssatisfaction by facilitating numerous moments of discovery and joy with her group of 5 year olds. Their shared delight while stumbling on a fresh bloom or some crawling insects in the front lawn, playing with words while listening to a Dr. Seuss story, spending quiet time together listening to a bird chirping in the bamboos or while playing a self-made board game during Choice time, all make her days at school remarkable. Her passion lies in narrating stories to her group of Kindergartners and she is always looking for fresh ways of making story-time enjoyable. She has explored narrating stories using puppets, through shadow play and also through an old Japanese form of story-telling,Kamishibai.Her journey as a teacher-facilitator continues with each new day, bringing with it endless possibilities of learning, unlearning and growth.

Deepa Bhalla

Deepa Bhalla’s journey in education began in the new millennium – the year 2000.
Her association with Shikshantar began in the year 2005. She gradually saw herself evolve from being a teacher to a facilitator and her facilitation becoming child oriented (centred) rather than teacher oriented.
Deepa is a warm, gentle person who believes in being sensitive to the emotions and feelings of all around her; be it children or fellow colleagues. She emphasises on instilling kindness amongst children through self -reflection and introspection exercises which she consciously integrates with her group’s curricular experiences.
According to Jean Piaget, a famous philosopher’s theory, “children are encouraged to discover themselves through spontaneous interactions with the environment.” Likewise, Deepa also aims to ignite curiosity in children by providing them ample opportunities of hand on experiences in which they use all their senses to attain relevant knowledge.
Deepa also believes in the principle ‘Nothing can be taught’. She attempts to steer her conversations with children in directions that motivate them to think on their own and look for answers to their questions.
Deepa is self-motivatedand consistently seeks to do something new.

Soma De

Soma De, BA B.ED, joined Shikshantar in the year 2006. Being with children fascinates her and she loves their company; perhaps the reason that has kept her in the field of education for the past seventeen years in various schools across the country. Having taught children from diverse cultural backgrounds at various stages of their journey, Soma easily adapted to the philosophy of Shikshantar.
She is committed to social, academic growth and development of every child through various media; be it books or drama, sports or other curricular activities. Her warm and caring nature creates a classroom atmosphere that is stimulating, encouraging and adaptive to children’s needs.
An avid reader of children’s literature, Soma enjoys writing poetry. Poetry is cathartic for her; it helps her in understanding children and their world better. She strengthens her connect with children also through singing and dancing, which are integral parts of her personality, hobbies that she has been nurturing since childhood. Through her guidance, she inspires children to develop values of self confidence, mutual respect and cooperation.
She finds her journey in Shikshantar particularly enriching and satisfying as as it has helped her grow not only as a facilitator but also as an individual.