Page 15 - DAIS - DAISPORA ISSUE03

TEACHER’S Ms. Bajaj has been an integral part of the DAIS family from the very first academic
CORNER year. Personally, she has left an indelible mark in my memories of the school.
Never a person of many words, to us students she symbolised open mindedness,
positivity and a source of strength who inspired us to explore our passion and
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
apprehensions.
Ms. Sonali Bajaj It is 20 years later – that I have a deeper appreciation of the intentionality of
Deputy Head, Ms. Bajaj’s approach, underpinning the values she instils in every student who has
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
Curriculum student, to her own journey as an educator including her perspectives
on the changing landscape in education.
Ms. Bajaj emphasizes that teaching has always been “very close to her” – she
From where it all began… considers teaching therapeutic and believes that “there is nothing more
meaningful than being in a learning environment where the opportunities to foster
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.
Her perspective on entrepreneurship as a “skill that can be learnt” is particularly sharp intellect but also be empathetic in their approach towards society. Hence,
illuminating, highlighting her approach of encouraging students to be better
decision makers – whether “data-driven or compassionate in decision making”.
She is able to contribute towards the pedagogical development of the school a value-based approach is integral to all her interactions with parents, students
and teachers while designing experiences for us as part of the curriculum. These
and curriculum due to her subject expertise in Business Management and her
real-life connections had an enduring impact on me especially as I transitioned
continuous commitment towards lifelong learning. Personally, as I re-commit
myself now as a parent, this conversation was reassuring that the school is ideal from practising law in UK and then in India. It is this foundation which has made
us adaptable and open -minded and stayed with us long after we left our alma
for developing future ready learners. mater.
Student success for Ms. Bajaj transcends academic grades and scores alone, but For Ms. Bajaj, life is best when it is multi-dimensional. Her love for listening
also encompasses building resilience, developing social emotional maturity and TED Talks for example, ensures she makes time to oversee the
living by a set of values. This translates into exploring varied opportunities to
become balanced individuals with holistic goals. This took me straight to my TedExYouth@DAIS event in school. However tight her calendar is, there is always
time to enthusiastically engage with students in selection of topics, speakers an
parent teacher meetings (almost two decades ago) with Ms. Bajaj, where her organization of this annual event. I recall Sports Days, Annual Days, inter house
guidance always focused on our overall development and wellness. competitions would witness her cheering for students as she embraced the
serious with as much enthusiasm as the light-hearted moments in school. In
every way she elevated our school day, and we treasure those moments. Even in
For the 21st century learners, education is meaningful when it is futuristic and her busiest times, she is aided by her organisational skills to also support
aimed at problem solving. Ms Bajaj is deeply conscious of the role she plays in wholesome experiences in creative pursuits within the school and this personally
shaping future change makers who need to not only have brilliant minds and aligns with her love for music, visual arts, theatre, and sports.
When asked what makes DAIS
special, Ms. Bajaj’s response is
immediate – it is an institution
that has its heart in the right
place, and unequivocally places
“the learner at the centre”. All
decision making is truly driven
from the student perspective and
opportunities for individual
students are created and
supported whole heartedly.
She values Mrs. Ambani’s
philosophy of this “vision in
action” which permeates to every
level of the school, making the
institution robust and evolving.