"Guided by Grace: My Journey as a School Head  

       

 I am profoundly thankful to the Almighty for blessing me with a profession that allowed me to serve with unyielding dedication, pouring my heart and soul into every responsibility entrusted to me. I thank Him for granting me health, strength, and an environment conducive to learning and growth throughout my service. For me, work has always been a form of worship. This mindset, whether as a student, teacher, or principal, allowed me to devote myself entirely to a life filled with purpose and meaning.

The path to success is rarely straightforward. It is dotted with curves of failure, red lights of obstacles, and flat tires of disappointments. With determination as your spare parts and willpower as your engine, you can navigate your way to a destination called success. I firmly believe that innovation, integrity, and excellence are the cornerstones of true accomplishment.

Good things don’t happen by mere chance or by merit alone. Instead, we make them happen with our iron will, hard work, sweat, and unwavering effort. Success comes from a positive mindset, the right attitude, planned actions, and profound enthusiasm. I feel blessed to have been graced with the virtues to turn challenges into opportunities. I have always believed that it is not how much one does but the love and commitment one puts into their work that truly matters. I remained the best version of myself, original in my styles, strategies, and ideas In my view, the true benchmark of a school lies in the value it adds to each individual. A teacher’s role is not to impose specific ideas or enforce particular habits on students but to act as a guiding member of the community. Their responsibility is to carefully select the influences that shape the child’s growth and to support them in responding to these influences in a positive and meaningful way. Today it is not how much a child knows that matters, it is what he can do with what he knows. All this needs an environment for learning. 

One statement that has deeply resonated with me is: “Principals must leave behind a legacy so that the school is remembered by their name.” It fills me with immense gratitude to see that the institution I served for 23 years as a founding head is still associated with my name. , the foundation laid during those early years helped the institution thrive and reach its pinnacle.

A Happy and Purposeful School

I have always envisioned a school where students come with joy and hope, and learning happens in an atmosphere free from stress. We aimed to help every child realize their fullest potential, nurturing them physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Education, for me, was never about producing mechanical minds but about shaping thoughtful, compassionate human beings who could take on life’s challenges with courage and grace.

Our efforts were always directed at creating an environment that fosters curiosity and values learning beyond academics. As a result, our students consistently excelled, both academically and in co-curricular domains. Many now shine brightly in various fields—IAS and IPS officers, doctors, engineers, authors, fine artists, T.V. artists, scriptwriters, reputed entrepreneurs, educators, heads of institutions, and singers of high repute. It is a proud moment to see our students return as Chief Guests at our school's annual events.

Leadership as Service

The guiding philosophy that shaped my leadership was inspired by many great thinkers. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam once said, “Only a visionary creative leader can bring about a fundamental change in society.” I took this to heart and led by example, with a clear vision and unwavering empathy.

I believe a leader’s role is to inspire, not dictate. As a principal, I strived to create an environment where teachers could thrive, innovate, and make a difference in students’ lives. By fostering respect, collaboration, and a shared vision, we were able to build a dynamic and nurturing school culture. Many teachers who once worked with me are now leading institutions across India, and seeing them excel fills me with immense pride and joy.

  I used to begin my mornings with a splash of happiness and blooming zest and took every task as a new opportunity to grow more in life. I used to work with the energy of a soldier who faces the battlefield and wins it with an air of perfection. I aspired to value time and display discipline, humility, care, and love in every aspect of my journey, gently guiding my students and staff by leading through example. Students and my staff loved me, I was fondly given various titles by my students their parents, and teachers. Like, The love and respect I have received from students, teachers, and parents are the most treasured rewards of my career.  My thanks to all the parents of my students for reposing faith and confidence in my nurturing their wards. There were many write-ups and poems in my appreciation written by students and teachers. In the words of a senior staff member ”As a guiding mentor, she ensures that her students get ample opportunities and learning environment and that she never hesitates to step out of her comfort zone and bring the best for the students to learn and grow. Her sheer dedication and tireless hard work resulted in amazing success. It is the best award for my sincere and selfless services.

A Gratitude-Filled

This journey would not have been possible without the collective contributions of many.  There are various people who directly or indirectly influenced my life. Be it colleagues or seniors at work, or the family members at home, one’s success is a function of collective contribution made by all the people who are related to it. My husband and family have been the greatest pillar of strength to hold the ladder of success when I was climbing. I owe a great deal to the lessons I have learned from the teachings of visionaries like Swami Vivekananda, Dr. Kalam, Mother Teresa, Swami Subhodha Nanda, and Sister Shivani who deeply influenced my life and work. I extend my heartfelt respect and gratitude to all my gurus, right from my kindergarten days to the present, who have shaped my journey and inspired me in countless ways. I also owe immense thanks to my colleagues and teaching staff who stood as my unwavering strength throughout my career, enriching my path with their dedication and camaraderie. All individuals, from the public to support staff, contributed to my learning and growth. Even a simple cooperation, a helping hand, or a contented smile from the support staff became a source of positivity and motivation, fueling my determination to give my best every passing day.

Advice to the Teaching Community

• Be proactive and stay committed to your purpose.
• Respect each other and see the unique beauty in every student.
• Continuously grow by keeping up with the latest developments in your field.
• Embrace grace, dignity, and honor in all your actions.
• Focus on putting meaning into the number of hours you work, rather than merely counting hours.
• Strive to grow through life, not just go through it.
• Remember, you are the drivers of your school’s vision. Reflect and act on how you can elevate your performance and contribute to the collective growth of your institution.

Reflecting on my nearly four decades of service, I am filled with immense gratitude for the countless lives I had the honor to touch and the profound lessons I learned along the way. Teaching, though not my initial choice, became my greatest passion. It was in this profession that I discovered my purpose and found boundless joy.

With humility and pride,

Dr. Shashie B Banerjee

M.Sc., M.Ed., Ph.D. in Education

National Scholarship Holder| President Awardee |

An avid reader and a sports enthusiast