Page 14 - DAIS - DAISPORA ISSUE03

TEACHER’S Ms. Bajaj has been an integral part of the DAIS family from the very first academic Her perspective on entrepreneurship as a “skill that can be learnt” is particularly

illuminating, highlighting her approach of encouraging students to be better

decision makers – whether “data-driven or compassionate in decision making”.
CORNER year. Personally, she has left an indelible mark in my memories of the school. She is able to contribute towards the pedagogical development of the school
Never a person of many words, to us students she symbolised open mindedness,

and curriculum due to her subject expertise in Business Management and her
positivity and a source of strength who inspired us to explore our passion and

continuous commitment towards lifelong learning. Personally, as I re-commit
work towards realising our dreams. I considered her not only as a mentor and
guide, but also someone who offered me a safe space to share my doubts and myself now as a parent, this conversation was reassuring that the school is ideal

apprehensions. for developing future ready learners.

Ms. Sonali Bajaj It is 20 years later – that I have a deeper appreciation of the intentionality of Student success for Ms. Bajaj transcends academic grades and scores alone, but

Deputy Head, Ms. Bajaj’s approach, underpinning the values she instils in every student who has also encompasses building resilience, developing social emotional maturity and
living by a set of values. This translates into exploring varied opportunities to
been under her guidance. This intentionality reverberated through every aspect of
Secondary School DAIS our wide-ranging conversation about her personal experiences as an International become balanced individuals with holistic goals. This took me straight to my

Curriculum student, to her own journey as an educator including her perspectives parent teacher meetings (almost two decades ago) with Ms. Bajaj, where her
on the changing landscape in education. guidance always focused on our overall development and wellness.

Ms. Bajaj emphasizes that teaching has always been “very close to her” – she For the 21st century learners, education is meaningful when it is futuristic and
From where it all began… considers teaching therapeutic and believes that “there is nothing more aimed at problem solving. Ms Bajaj is deeply conscious of the role she plays in

meaningful than being in a learning environment where the opportunities to foster shaping future change makers who need to not only have brilliant minds and
intellectual and emotional growth is boundless”.

Enduring memories of our time in school would be incomplete without recalling
the numerous times I have reached out to Ms. Bajaj individually and in a group
while we progressed through the IGCSE years as the first batch of the school. Her

accessibility and ‘bias free’ approach was comforting and reinforced positivity.
Her suggestions always focused on the holistic development of every student,
DAIS is an institution that has its providing them a judgment-free space for self-expression, and eventually

heart in the right place, and unequivocally supporting us to become independent problem solvers.

places the learner at the centre.

All decision making is truly driven Her in-depth understanding of the DAIS culture has been integral in shaping the
school in this fast-changing world where student needs and the world at large are
from the student perspective and more dynamic than ever before. As an educator, Ms. Bajaj has focused on the

Feriel Jackson
opportunities for individual exponential changes in the socio-technological sphere and its impact on students
Class of 2005
and teachers.
students are created and

supported whole heartedly.