An Interview with Ms. Rajeshwari B C, Principal of Embassy Academy
Educational leadership plays a crucial role in shaping the future of students and institutions. In this exclusive interview, Ms. Rajeshwari B C, Principal of Embassy Academy, shares her insights on integrating experiential learning, modern pedagogical practices, and her vision for the future of school education. With a diverse background spanning corporate and education sectors, she brings a unique perspective to her role, driving innovation and excellence in teaching and learning.
- With two decades of experience across corporate and education sectors, how do you believe your diverse background has shaped your approach to educational leadership at Embassy Academy?
My diverse background from the corporate and education sectors has helped me in shaping a smart school with sustainable features at Embassy Academy through clear objectives, aligning goals, and strategic planning.
It has instilled a forward-thinking approach to education, embracing innovation in teaching methods, curricular development, and technology integration. I have been able to plan an effective training programme for teachers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability in education outcomes.
Further, this experience has been vital in budgeting, financial forecasting, quality assurance, risk and change management, and positive organisational culture. Finally, it has enabled me to develop ethical standards that have bolstered decision-making in educational leadership roles and integrity and transparency in work.
My diverse background in both sectors has assisted in developing a unique blend of skill sets and a strategic mindset, fostering innovation, efficiency, and excellence in teaching and learning.
- Could you elaborate on how your experience in curriculum planning has influenced the integration of experiential learning pedagogy within the Academy?
With my background in curriculum planning, I could align and sequence experiential learning activities with educational objectives and standards, allowing students to deepen their knowledge and skills in a structured way. I could bring in interdisciplinary connections that allow learners to apply knowledge from multiple disciplines in a real-world context.
We have mentored and supported our teachers in experiential learning methods, ensuring they are well prepared to implement these strategies by creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
The curriculum has been designed and modified to include hands-on, project-based and real-world learning experiences for the students. We have integrated experiential learning across various subjects to provide a more cohesive learning experience.
- How do you tailor teacher training programmes at Embassy Academy to align with modern pedagogical practices and ensure a student-centric environment?
To align with modern pedagogical practices, we have conducted numerous on-boarding teacher training programmes at Embassy Academy. These trainings provide professional development that emphasises active and creative learning techniques such as experiential learning, project-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and collaborative learning, along with the New Education policy.
We have trained teachers how to actively and effectively blend traditional teaching by using tools such as flipped classrooms and online platforms, as well as to assess student needs and adapt instruction to meet diverse learning styles and abilities.
Teachers are further encouraged to use formative assessments to monitor student progress and adjust teaching methods accordingly.
To promote a student-centric environment, we have included training on integrating social and emotional learning into the curriculum, helping teachers support students’ emotional and social development.
We always emphasise the importance of connecting learning to real-world contexts and experiences through field trips, nature work, and outdoor learning. Moreover, we encourage teachers to engage in peer observations and feedback to promote a culture of regular improvement. Time and frameworks are provided to fill out their teaching practices, identify areas of growth, and set professional goals.
By incorporating these strategies, we have equipped our teachers with the skills and knowledge to create an engaging student-centric learning environment that aligns with modern pedagogical practices at Embassy Academy.
- Reflecting on your journey, what have been some of the most significant challenges in implementing the new educational model, and how have you addressed them?
While implementing the new educational model, some significant challenges arose:
- Aligning the new educational model with existing curricular standards and assessment methods required careful planning and implementation.
- Some resistance to change was observed by teachers due to comfort with the existing system. Teachers had to be trained to implement the new model effectively, as it was time-consuming and resource-intensive.
- Integrating new technologies effectively into the educational process required support, training, and updates.
Therefore, we created new assessment tools and metrics to align with the goals of the new model, ensuring a fair evaluation of the assessment is done for our students. Long-term strategic plans with clear goals, timelines, and milestones helped maintain focus and momentum.
By addressing these challenges proactively and strategically, we could effectively implement and sustain the new educational model.
- Given the rapid evolution of the educational landscape, where do you see the future of school education, and what role will experiential learning play in it?
The future of school education is poised to undergo significant transformation driven by technological advancements, evolving societal needs, and a greater emphasis on holistic development.
Students will have more control over their learning paths by choosing courses and projects that align with their interests and career goals. Artificial intelligence will provide personalised learning experiences tailored to individual student’s needs, strengths, and learning styles. Students would be visiting global classrooms through an online platform and learning from instructors worldwide promoting cultural exchange and divorce perspectives. Artificial intelligence-driven tools will provide personalised support for answering questions and offering additional resources.
Experiential learning will play an important role in the future of education, where students will be working on real-world projects by applying theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems, thereby enhancing their understanding. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and simulation tools will enhance experiential learning, providing immersive experiences that are impossible in a normal classroom setting.
- How does your personal educational philosophy influence the managerial and operational aspects of running a top school like Embassy Academy?
My personal educational philosophy has served as a guiding framework for making decisions and setting priorities in the management and operations of the school.
Our preschool curriculum is enabled with AR-Augmented Reality features. Additionally, we have prioritised hands-on, project-based experiential learning experiences for students across all subjects. We use multiple assessment methods, including portfolio performance tasks and self-assessments.
We have invested in facilities that support experiential learning, such as a Makerspace STEM lab, a smart science lab with IoT, a mathematics lab, computer labs, a Montessori activity lab, creative art and performing art studios, and vast outdoor learning areas for learning 15+ physical activities.
The focus is on creating a supportive and inclusive student-centred environment for nurturing individual student potential at Embassy Academy.
- Share an example of how you have inspired your students and staff to imbibe a strong foundational value system.
