Rajesh Majumdar
Project Owner, 2011 TEA Alumnus, California State University
Rajesh Majumdar is the Head of Science at The Doon School, Dehradun.
He has gained professional experience within varied practical and developmental roles, mainly in the finest residential schools of India. He believes a mature, constructive and eclectic teaching approach is crucial to a responsive student attitude. But academic eminence itself is not enough without character. Schools must foster a culture of mutual respect that builds trust and engages students in learning to respect each other, the community, nature and everything that is part of life. Each student has to develop a strong character modeled by caring adults, reflecting values cherished by the community.
Rajesh believes that in the present century ‘collaboration’ and ‘critical thinking skills’ will take us forward as the pace of fundamental knowledge is slowing down and age of applied knowledge is surging ahead. In this scenario the pedagogy at all levels needs to be addressed in a more focused manner. All educational programs are to be comprehensive and should demand that each student thinks, learns and performs at the highest possible level.
'Basic education is my most important gift to the world’ said Mahatma Gandhi who is known for his cautiousness in whatever he spoke. And so what it means needs to be thought through. Basic education brings about silent, nonviolent revolution. Rajesh strongly believes that science needs to be unshackled and taken to the needy to develop skills as envisioned by Swami Vivekanand who said that 'if poor can't come for education then it must reach them'.
Dr. Brij Mohan Sharma
Project Partner
Dr. Sharma is the Secretary, Society of Pollution and Environmental Conservation Scientists
Dr. Sharma has been working relentlessly in the field of Science and Technology communication for the last 20 years in the difficult geographical conditions of Uttarakhand. They have been instrumental in creating awareness on Science communication, food adulteration, water quality, and making energy efficient/Solar lights in various states of India and abroad.
Their aim is to improve the quality of life of a common man by using science and technology and hence they have been taking science to the remotest areas of Uttarakhand. They have been working not only with the children and masses but also with the inmates of various jails.
Making low cost scientific tools and literature in the language of common masses for better understanding of science is the backbone of his successful action oriented science awareness campaigns.
Their dedicated and zealous efforts are well recognized by the State and as such they were awarded Uttarakhand Innovator of the year award 2010 & 2011, Uttarakhand Energy Conservation Award 2009 & 2010, Uttarakhand Environment Conservation Award 2004 , Young Scientist Award-2012,youth icon Award 2016,EYI AWARD 2016,Garhwal Post Award 2016, Dr. Sharma has to its credit 13 Books, 24 Folders and 37 Research Papers and 11 low-cost tools of Science Communication for better understanding of science and technology in a playful manner.
Anju Gupta
Member, Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program 2011
Anju Gupta is a teacher of Physics and Mathematics at Welham Girls' School, Dehradun.
Teaching is her passion and she enjoys exploring new things and sharing & learning ideas. She likes to travel and meet people. She looks forward to work with the team to make this project a great success.
Charu Mathur
Member, International Leaders in Education Program 2011
Charu Mathur is an educationist from Pune, India
Ms. Mathur has an experience of over three decades & a keen interest in social entrepreneurship. She passionately advocates for change in educational thinking and planning to ensure an equitable and quality education to all children.
The domain and leadership training that she received while attending ‘International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP)’ in USA from Jan 2011 to May 2011 (a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs) inspired her to devote herself to equipping students and teachers with 21st century learning and teaching skills. After a teaching career spanning more than 25 years, in 2012 she set up Socrates Foundation for Enhanced Learning, India – a non-profit organization.
She has received a number of grants from Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs, Department of State, USA & International Research & Exchanges Board to conduct various workshops. She is a Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy Alumni and has undergone Basic & Advanced Space Academy Programs organized by NASA, USA in 2008 & 2011 respectively.
Aarti Seth
Member, 2015 TEA Alumnus, California State University
Aarti Seth is a teacher of English Literature and Language at Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun.
Aarti says it has been an exciting journey as the youngest teacher to teach students from grade 6 to grade 12. Aarti has been involved in various literary activities and is passionate about developing a love for the language among her students. She is the teacher editor for the Chrysalis and manages the school website as well. Aarti is an avid trekker and is involved in the production of audio visual presentations as well. She received a Bachelor’s degree in english literature from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, in 2000 and then went on to do her Bachelor’s in Education and Master’s in English. Aarti loves to read books, is passionate about theatre and is a wildlife enthusiast. She also works with Street Smart, an NGO in Dehradun, to rehabilitate street children.
Samir Dhingra
Member, Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program 2011
Samir Dhingra is Head of Physics at Welham Boys' School, Dehradun.
I became a teacher by accident in the year 1994 and little did I realise at that time that I would have such a long innings in this profession. Having been always obsessed with numbers my subconscious mind always used to give me triggers of a career in numbers (probably investment banking).
But time flies and today after 22+years in this profession it gives me more of a serendipitous feeling.
Teaching is such a big challenge and it is a very fearing job- for if one ever ponders for a minute as a teacher we are all instrumental in shaping the lives of these kids. It is challenging, really challenging.............
I distinctly remember my school days and that group of impressive/influential and smart teachers who left a mark on me in ways more than one. And to top it all my Fulbright journey in the year 2013 to Portland, Oregon which gave me an opportunity to relive my teaching career. An exposure which is so difficult to pen down in words. With zero regrets today I feel so blessed to be a part of this profession which has seen a paradigm shift across the globe and the beautiful part is that today with so much emphasis on 5C’s of learning and knowledge available at every doorstep we are no longer teachers rather facilitators.
