यह मेरा सौभाग्य है कि मैने बनारस के संगीत घराने में शास्त्रीय संगीत का एक गढ़ कहे जाने वाले कबीर चौरा मोहल्ले के एक संगीत परिवार में जन्म लिया। गायनाचार्य स्वर्गीय पंडित बड़े रामदास मिश्र जी और विद्वान गायक स्वर्गीय पंडित हरिशंकर मिश्रा जी के परिवार में जन्म लेने के चलते बचपन संगीत के स्वरों और लय के बीच गुजरा और संगीत का एक बीज मेरे अंदर आरोपित हो गया जो अब तक एक सांगीतिक यात्रा के रूप में मेरे जीवन काल का एक अभिन्न अंग बन गया है। संगीत में B. Mus., M. Mus. की शिक्षा प्राप्त मैं पिछले 16, 17 सालों से विद्यार्थियों को शिक्षा दे रहा हूं। मुझे संगीत के माध्यम से विद्यार्थियों को शिक्षा और संस्कार रोपित करने का जो अवसर लगातार मिलता चला आ रहा है उसके लिए इस जीवन का, माता पिता और परिवार को धन्यवाद ज्ञापित करता हूं।

मैं वाराणसी की मूल निवासी हूँ। मैंने बनारस हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय से स्नातक की परीक्षा उत्तीर्ण की। काशी विद्यापीठ से राजनीति शास्त्र में और इग्नू से हिन्दी में स्नातकोत्तर की शिक्षा प्राप्त करने के बाद मैंने बी. एड. किया। मैं पिछले चौदह वर्षों से हिन्दी विषय में अध्यापन का कार्य कर रही हूँ। मुझे छोटे बच्चों को कई तरह की गतिविधियों के साथ हिन्दी पढ़ाने में आनन्द की अनुभूति होती है। विद्यार्थी इन कक्षाओं में पठन एवं लेखन के साथ-साथ अन्य क्रिया-कलाप जैसे पाठ्य-पुस्तक की कहानियों पर नाटक, काव्य गोष्ठी, कविताओं पर नृत्य-नाटिका, कविताओं को गीत के रूप में तथा अन्य कई खेलों के द्वारा व्याकरण के पाठ सरल एवं मनोरंजक ढंग से सीखते हैं। मेरा सपना है कि भविष्य में मैं जहाँ भी रहूँ, छोटे बच्चों के साथ विद्यालय में ही कार्य करती रहूँ।

After my graduation, I did a B.Ed and M.Ed from Devi Ahlya VishwaVidyalaya, Indore. I worked as a teacher trainee in Mirambika, Sri Aurobindo Ashram in New Delhi, and taught for three years in Odisha before I joined Rajghat. I feel that teaching is one of the ways to unfold and discover oneself. I enjoy teaching wood craft, paper craft, pottery and calligraphy. I also enjoy playing games, cycling and going for adventure walks with students. The most serious challenge I faced as a teacher was learning how best to respond to students. I started by being patient, listening to the students and responding accordingly. I get energy from the children. They are the real teachers who unfold the path for me! I learned how to be a good teacher from them. I have enjoyed being a house parent, taking care of boys in the hostel. This gives many opportunities for interaction. I like to listen to spiritual people, listen to music and read story books. I would like to share my talents with children in need.

I have a Masters degree in Commerce from Aligarh Muslim University. I also qualified in UGC-NET, making me eligible for college lectureship. During my college days, I started giving tuitions to my juniors in the hostels. Gradually teaching became my passion and I decided to pursue it as a career. I believe that teaching is a way of life. It is one of the best ways of learning. It has been more than six years now since I began my formal journey as a teacher. This period has been a rich learning experience for me. Since childhood I have been involved in a family business and enjoy the industry experience. As I started teaching, this childhood experience became a part and parcel of most of my classrooms. I was able to give a broader perspective to children. It helped students to appreciate that business is an integral component of society and studying business leads to an understanding of many social and ethical issues. Currently, I teach Business Studies and Economics at Rajghat Besant School. When I joined this school in 2017, I wasn't much aware of its teaching-learning philosophy. But I realized the importance of this wonderful place when I interacted with my colleagues from diverse backgrounds. We have regular dialogues on educational issues, classroom processes, and social and global concerns. This culture of discussing, debating and questioning helps me to inculcate the spirit of enquiry among the students also. In addition to my work as a teacher, I love travelling, exploring new places, interacting with new people and reading poetry.

My formal education includes a BA and Diploma in elementary education. I have 23 years of teaching experience. I decided to work in a school because teaching children is something I was always passionate about from a very early age. I enjoy teaching Hindi. Besides teaching a mainstream subject I also enjoy conducting various activity classes, for example cookery. As a teacher, one challenge I have faced is to maintain a balance in the class, as the children have high energy levels! To keep them engaged, I give all the children different tasks according to their levels of understanding. This way their energy gets channelised in a proper way. Spending most of my time with the children as a house parent keeps me immensely motivated to go out there and give my best to them. There are many different opportunities to interact with children in the hostel. I enjoy this very much. Apart from teaching, I give importance to my health and I dedicate a lot of time to keeping my mind and body healthy. I love to go for early morning walks in our beautiful campus.

I studied at a small alternative school in Bangalore based on the teachings of J Krishnamurti. The conversational, informal style of teaching laid the foundation for my journey as an educator. I joined Brockwood Park, the Krishnamurti school in the UK, as a Mature Student soon after leaving school. At Brookwood Park, I worked in the school kitchen. It was here, during the Mature Student dialogues, that I began to gain a deeper appreciation of Krishnamurti’s teachings, with plenty of space to be on my own and go on rambling walks in the woods under sun-dappled beech trees. When I returned to India, I began to work as a librarian with small alternative schools and NGOs. Books had been an integral part of my life, and this seemed like a natural step. I was eager to share the bounty of outstanding books with children. Books that are thought-provoking, honest and imaginative. Books that sparked questions about human relationships and the world around. During this period I also completed my Bachelors in English Literature from IGNOU. I joined Rajghat in 2020, Teaching was another natural step. I look after the senior library and teach social science to 7th standard . It's a nice age to engage with, because real world inquiries start by observing the immediate environment. This allows them to make tangible connections between events and places and the overarching themes of social science. Most importantly, I resonate with such an education, because learning occurs within a relationship of deep care and affection between students and teachers. When not teaching I enjoy reading, walking, being around animals, and doing yoga.

Hi. I am from Tripura. I have a Bachelors degree in Painting and MFA in Mural arts from Visva Bharati University. School is like a family where a culture is passed on from adults to the children. Creating an environment for educating children through art builds up the culture of a school. This culture keeps evolving spontaneously through experiences of children and myself, while exploring different mediums like pottery, sculpture, painting, puppetry, and videography. The effort is to help develop originality and imagination in a child. The residential environment in a KFI school gives this opportunity to me to freely be with the children, interact with them and understand them and help them where I can. For me it is important to learn together to respect the nature that surrounds us. Apart from my work as a teacher, I take interest in understanding different folk and tribal traditions, their culture and art practices. I have closely worked with tribal communities in West Bengal to promote and preserve their art traditions.

I was born in India but brought up in the United States. I am here because of my attachment to India and the value I attach to children and to adolescence as formative years in the educational process. Adolescence is when you can see remarkable intellectual and inner growth in children. I teach History and a bit of Geography in senior school and conduct an Introduction to Spanish activity. My B.A. degree is in History. I also hope to give children a little international flavor, based on my years of working not only in the United States, where I ran an education NGO on the U.S.-Mexico border, but also in Peru, Mozambique, and Mali, where I worked in the field of health, education, and development. I have known about J. Krishnamurti since my own adolescence and I am grateful to work in a school where we promote inquiry and critical thinking as well as creativity, harmony, and our own positive contributions to our families, society, and humanity. I have worked with hundreds of young people over the years and I take a special interest in trying to nurture their academic and personal growth into confident and caring human beings. My loves are my own children, both in university now. My hobbies are running, writing, and a little basketball with the RBS kids.

Hello! I am Prabha. I studied in a Krishnamurti School, The School KFI and chose to come back to a K School, to teach, after almost 3 decades. I currently teach Economics for the senior classes at RBS. I am also a house parent for Class 9 girls, a new and enriching experience! My educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Economics from Madras University and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. After spending several years in Banking (Consumer Finance), I chose to study further and pursue a Masters Programme in International Employment Relations from The London School of Economics and Political Science. Thereafter, I worked in the field of Human Capital Consulting for a few years before making a significant change – I took up a teaching stint in the Eastern part of India. It was through this transformative experience that I discovered my passion for continuous learning and sharing it with others, especially children. Apart from spending time with children and books, I also like to be outdoors, amidst nature. I tend to engage in conversations related to areas such as philosophy, science and technology, education, the environment and social issues. Understanding the human mind (and its workings) is critical to our overall well-being (and those around us). Krishnamurti’s views on silent observation and awareness, I believe, can possibly prevent psychological and mental health issues that plague a large section of our society, especially the youth. The opportunity to teach and learn, in an environment that keeps me connected to a higher philosophy, is what makes my life at RBS special.

मैं श्रेष्ठा वर्तमान में वाराणसी की निवासिनी हूँ| मेरा बाल्यावस्था भी इसी शहर में एक प्राचीन परम्परा पर आधारित गुरुकुलीय परिवेश में व्यतीत हुआ| जहां अध्ययन के कुछ वर्षों के उपरांत ‘अग्र शिक्षा प्रणाली’ के तहत बड़े विद्यार्थी अपने से छोटी कक्षाओं में अध्यापन के कार्य करने लगते थे, और उसी परम्परा के अनुसार बाल्यावस्था से ही अध्ययन के साथ-साथ अध्यापन का कार्य संभालते हुए अध्यापन कार्य से लगाव सा हो गया| और एक प्रेरणा सी बन गयी मन में कि जो कुछ सीखा व पाया है उसे आगे बढाने के लिए अध्यापन ही एक ऐसा माध्यम है जहां अपने शिक्षा का भरपूर उपयोग हो सकता है| मेरा सम्पूर्ण अध्ययन संपूर्णानंद संस्कृत विश्वविद्यालय, वाराणसी से हुआ| शास्त्री (B.A.) व आचार्य (M.A.) प्राचीन संस्कृत व्याकरण विषय से किया तथा कालान्तर में संपूर्णानंद स.वि.वि. से ही M.J.M.C.(Journalism) की भी डिग्री ली| मेरा अध्ययन काल सम्पूर्ण होते–होते ही मुझे ‘राजघाट बेसेंट स्कूल’ में संस्कृत शिक्षिका के पद पर नियुक्ति मिल गयी| इस विद्यालय में आकर ऐसा प्रतीत हुआ जैसे एक प्राचीन गुरुकुल से निकल कर दूसरे आधुनिक गुरुकुल में आ गये हैं| अस्तु! तब से लेकर अब तक विद्यालय, विद्यार्थी और पुस्तकों से एक आत्मीय सम्बन्ध बन गया है, जो कि अटूट है| किसी भी कक्षा में विद्यार्थियों को पढ़ाना व उन्हें स्तरानुसार विषय का अवबोध कराना भी बहुत ही चुनौतीपूर्ण कार्य होता है| उसी कक्षा में प्रत्येक वर्ष नए विद्यार्थियों का प्रवेश होना, जिनमें कुछ अनजाने चेहरे और कुछ जाने-पहचाने चेहरे भी सम्मिलित रहते हैं| यद्यपि मैं उस विषय से भली भांति परिचित हूँ तथापि अलग अलग विद्यार्थियों के साथ अलग अलग वर्षों में विषय और उसके अध्ययन के तरीके भी नवीन ही प्रतीत होते हैं| प्रत्येक नई कक्षा के साथ अध्यापन की नई-नई तकनीक भी प्रयोग में लानी पड़ती है| मैं सीनियर और जूनियर दोनों तरह की कक्षाओं में संस्कृत पढ़ाती हूँ| इसके अतिरिक्त छोटे बच्चों को संस्कृत, साहित्य व प्राचीन विषयों, कहानियों को भी पढ़ाना और बताना बहुत प्रिय है| श्लोकों व मन्त्रों के माध्यम से सरल व आसान तरीके से व्यवहारिक ज्ञान देना भी सम्मिलित है| प्रासंगिक विषयों पर कक्षा में चर्चा करना, लघु नाटक, एकांकी इत्यादि के प्रस्तुतिकरण से उनके अन्दर अभिव्यक्ति के प्रति आत्मनिर्भर होना भी विद्यार्थियों के भावी भविष्य के लिए अत्यंत ही आवश्यक पहलू है|

Hi, I am Saptarshi Bhattacharya. I have completed my Bachelor's and Master Degree in History from Jadavpur University. After pursuing B.Ed. from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata in 2018, I embarked upon my journey as an educator at a School in 2018. It has been an exciting and enriching journey ever since. However in the meantime, I further continued to pursue my academics. I have successfully completed my M.Ed in 2021, qualified Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) in January, 2021, NTA NET in Education in June, 2021 and 23rd WBSET in 2022 in Education. Poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore once said, 'schools have become lifeless, colourless, disassociated from the context of the universe, confined within the bare white walls'. However, RBS, on the other hand, provides that spiritual harmony of man and nature, where students dwell in the midst and express themselves freely and creatively and where the demands of the organic wholeness of the individual are met. I decided to join RBS because during the time of my M.Ed, i was fascinated by Jiddu Krishnamurti's philosophy of education where the realization of oneself and cultivation of heart, quest for self-discovery are the prime focuses and not just mere collection of facts without bringing about any understanding. In my last 5 years as an educator, while nurturing those young creative minds i have learnt that i cannot teach a child to grow but a child teaches itself. I can guide them, inspire them, make them realise their valued dreams and immense potentials. Thus, I endeavour to inculcate that passion based learning in my classroom where every discussion in the class can be valued, once my students finds that relevant connection between the content and their life. Apart from being a teacher-learner, i enjoy watching World movies, listening to music and being a passionate traveller!

I have an MA in Bharatanatyam from Rabindra Bharati University. I decided to teach in a Krishnamurti school because there is no competition or comparison, there is a good bonding between teachers and students, the school is in the lap of nature (that helps both teachers and students to be more sensitive), and because this is also a learning space for teachers. A school is the space where a child's mind starts blooming. A child’s mind is like white paper or like clay. School is the right time to inculcate good qualities. The mind grows in every possible subtle manner during this time. I love to teach dance but also have an interest in mathematics. I love to connect with nature. I want to explore expressions of rhythm. I also try to feel the rhythm of silence. These are things I like to do with students. Sometimes I find that children are constantly seeking novelty - they only want to learn what they think is new. At such times they leave what they were learning earlier incomplete, and seem to want quantity more than quality. This is a challenge I face, to help them to explore the concept of “new” more deeply. I am still working at this!

I started my journey as a teacher of Biology in 1997 at Rajghat Besant School, and today, as the Principal of this esteemed organization, I realize that I am a student of Life. The educational philosophy of Jiddu Krishnamurti changes the perspective of teachers and students alike. Hence, my thoughts, interests, and understanding of life have undergone a huge change since I joined RBS 24 years ago. I completed my studies with an MSc from Allahabad University. I found myself attracted to various career options and decided to do B.Ed. from Annamalai University. I discovered my interest in teaching and my love for children while working in a primary school during my B.Ed. course. I enjoy teaching sciences to middle school, and Biology & Environmental Science to senior school children. During my initial years, I worked towards making classes more meaningful by connecting lessons to real-life experiences. I also attempted to bring children closer to nature. I explored newer approaches. Each of these explorations turned out to be a great learning experience for me. I realized later that it takes years of hard work and perseverance to make a good teacher. And also that learning is a lifelong process. Working together has been an important part of my journey as a teacher. Besides teaching, I love talking to children, engaging in deeper questions, reading stories/articles to them/with them, discussing current issues, going on nature walks/field trips/excursions, working in a laboratory, and gardening. I also like to have some quiet time every day, sitting by the side of the river, listening to music or the chirping of birds, watching trees, reading a book.

I hold a Masters in English Journalism from the premier Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. After having worked reasonably in media, I was certain that my satisfaction lies in discovering new things. I found myself increasingly inclining toward media education and then the expanding role of media in the lives of youth brought me to a school setup as I believe that ‘effective learning begins early’. Besides, the interaction with the young children has a continual demand to keep myself informed and engaged by way of which I can benefit my community, my country and the world. I teach English here and we are continuously exploring the changing landscape of an international language in the digital age. The biggest challenge here is matching up with the energy of the young minds, nevertheless, they are the great source of my energy also. Education is my passion. I am learning new ways to engage and impart lessons in today’s rapidly changing world and the teaching fraternity at Rajghat Besant School is truly committed to it.

I am Anurag Pathak. I teach English to the senior classes. My father was a teacher in Rajghat so I was brought up here, and probably because of this I had always aspired to be a teacher. In my childhood I watched student and teacher relationships in Rajghat, and the uniqueness of these connections inspired me to go into teaching. I did my post-graduation from Banaras Hindu University and then a B.Ed. I joined my first school as a teacher in July 1992. Before coming to Rajghat I taught in three other schools. After teaching in mainstream schools for 16 years I decided to come back to Rajghat in April 2009. Apart from teaching English to Senior classes, I have also taught History in classes IX and X. I like House Parenting for senior boys as I find it very challenging. I love to do plays with the students and I also like to sit and discuss topics of current affairs with the children in the hostel.

I did my graduation and Bachelor’s in Physical Education from Calcutta University, and NIS coaching and training in Gymnastics from Sports Authority of India. I was selected for the 1982 Asian Games in Artistic Gymnastics. I joined Rajghat in 1994 as a Gymnastics and Aerobics teacher, and throughout I have also been taking needlecraft, tie and dye, batik and soft toys classes, as well as yoga. In a Krishnamurti school there is an atmosphere of no fear, which helps children to learn happily. I wanted to work with younger children. In gymnastics it is essential to have flexibility and strength, which when taught at a young age ensures that the child becomes fit and supple. I always try to create new combinations with the apparatus as well as on the ground. This way I learn with the children. I introduced rhythmic gymnastics to the senior girls also. I organized many workshops for the children to motivate them. From the initial years I have been a house parent, and that was a challenge for me, but I have thoroughly enjoyed living with senior girls. Interacting with them has helped me to learn many things and given me energy. The relationships formed while teaching as well as in the hostel have been everlasting and I cherish them. I felt during this pandemic that yoga would calm the students’ minds and give them inner energy to face the challenges of life. I want to work towards this in a more focused way. I feel that if there is a balance between mind and body, the child will grow in the right manner. So we need to give importance to sports and physical activities.

I have an MA and have undergone teacher training programmes and Montessori training from Sri Aurobindo Education Society. I have also completed courses in Educational Psychology & Special Education through Udemy. I have been teaching at Rajghat for more than 20 years, primarily Mathematics for junior classes but also Environmental Science. I have also done craftwork, drama and story telling with younger children, and enjoy developing educational resources. Being in Rajghat has given me the opportunity to engage in a variety of tasks and to identify my true abilities and skills. I have had the freedom to engage with the community of both children and adults, to tackle situations creatively and reflect on myself. This has been a process of constant learning and unlearning. Rajghat provides a safe environment for an individual to grow without fear of being judged. Listening, sharing and allowing people to learn at their own pace has been important to me. I feel energized by many things, including prayer, listening to music or hymns, interactions with people, reading, and so on. I also like travelling with my family, decorating and taking care of the places where I stay, helping needy children academically and old people physically, and when I can financially too. To me education is a process of learning and living. It brings out the potential in oneself and others. It sharpens our intelligence and various skills, including communication and working with others. It encourages self reflection and humanism.

I am an enthusiastic IT professional and a passionate learner. I have done my diploma and Btech in Computer Science and engineering and an MTech from Amity University. After working for some time in the corporate sector, I decided to switch to teaching. I feel connected and alive when I am teaching, and have more than eight years of experience as a teacher. The values in a Krishnamurti school are themselves like a living educator, teaching the importance of the right relationship. I am a tech person and I enjoy teaching computer science. My role is to design, facilitate and teach the computer instruction component. Apart from this, I strongly feel that we need to facilitate students’ awareness without imposing our own views on them. So I enjoy discussing various topics with students, in addition to updating them about the computer world. My energy comes from the environment in which I work. I feel privileged and blessed to be an educator in Rajghat, where imparting education is important but the process of getting educated is more important. I love to accept challenges. So, when I was teaching at Ashoka Institute of Technology & Management, I chose one of the toughest newly introduced subjects in Btech and my success rate was 90-95%. Due to this, I was recognized as the best teacher of the Computer Science Department. Apart from my life as a teacher, I like to travel to different places and cook new dishes. Yoga is also important to me. It makes me proud and confident to be a part of the RBS family

An Engineer and Management graduate by academic background, I spent over two decades in the cutting-edge area of investment banking with multinational banks. After dealing with money most of my career, I began later in life to take keen interest in real people and real things. This led me to pursue a degree in Environment Sciences from Harvard University. I realized that a right education is fundamental to living responsibly, and the earlier we start the better. Krishnamurti’s educational vision to cultivate freedom and fearlessness is at the core of right education, thus naturally leading me to K institutions to be associated with. Teaching the subject of Economics, in particular, helps me make contextual connections between the outer and inner of a child: how meaningful change to the outer starts from within. We are able to learn economic precepts yet question them critically for their relevance to human relationships and well-being. In my spare time, I mountaineer, run, cycle and swim. I love reading books non-stop, on subjects as varied as literature, science, politics, philosophy and jokes. But nothing is more joyful than the moments spent with a child.

I have an MSc in Mathematics from Bundelkhand University, Jhansi and a B.Ed. in Mathematics and Science. I worked as a mathematics teacher in Rani Laxmi Bai group of Public Schools in Jhansi for 6 years, following which in 2006 I joined Rajghat Besant School as a mathematics teacher. I have been working here since then, teaching at the secondary and senior secondary levels. Other than teaching mathematics I enjoy Sciences, especially Physics. My interests have always been diverse and I loved exploring activities and hobbies which took me out of my comfort zone. I learnt Karate (Shotokan Style) in 1991-92 and have immense interest in origami, sculpture and all cultural and sports activities. School is a place where one gets an opportunity to learn much more than simply being academically excellent. Working in a school is not only to teach subjects but is a continuous process of learning in all walks of life. Krishnamurti schools create an environment where teachers and students can continue to explore life and develop the ability to watch their own thinking and behaviour. These are places where one not only gathers knowledge but also learns and imbibes a holistic view of life. I would like to be a dedicated, resourceful and goal-driven educator, with a solid commitment to the social and academic development of every learner.

My name is Ritu Srivastava and I did my schooling from Rajghat Besant School. I pursued my Bachelors and Masters in Hindi literature, and a B Ed, from Banaras Hindu University. Living in this beautiful campus and spending my formative years watching my parents, who were teachers, enjoying their time with children, made me plunge in this direction. As a student I grew up in an environment of love. I worked in our sister school, The Valley School in Bangalore, for a year and joined Rajghat in 1993. Krishnamurti schools provided me with space and freedom to be myself, to learn and develop my own individuality - which was the reason I decided to work here. I like interacting with students and I get energized whenever I meet them. I always feel young at heart when I am with them. The biggest challenge was to come out of my parents’ benign shadow and be recognized as an individual, and thereby to develop confidence in myself. Nature and people really help me to see beyond boundaries, and this journey is still going on. The holistic approach towards life which is so essential in Krishnamurti schools helped me to enjoy sports, arts and crafts as well as learning different subjects. So when I joined RBS as a teacher, I enjoyed playing basketball and doing theatre with students, appreciating poetry and living with students in hostels. So this is my dream: to see my students grow holistically. Giving due importance to each and everything this school provides. Growing as sensitive and intelligent beings and living life fully. I wish that all adults - teachers and parents - join hands with children to be part of this beautiful journey.

I have an MA and diverse work experience before beginning to teach in Rajghat. I have always enjoyed learning something new and school is the place to make my aspirations come true. I found quickly that I got along easily with children and I love their conversations. Krishnamurti said "Conventional education makes independent thinking difficult." This is because it lays more stress on knowledge maximization and not on imagination or creative thinking. In the KFI schools the environment is free from fear. This creates an atmosphere where real education can take place. I enjoy teaching History, Geography and Civics to middle school students. I also enjoy listening to them, playing with them and exploring new things together. In a classroom each child is different and has diverse learning needs. Approaching all the children as per their needs was a challenge for me in the beginning. With expert guidance some strategies I have found useful include knowing each child’s strengths and weaknesses, identifying whether children are visual or auditory learners, using different types of teaching aids, preparing differentiated work assignments, and finding out what children are passionate about as natural motivators. As a teacher you need a lot of energy! Mine comes from my love for the children, the beautiful environment at Rajghat, and support and guidance from my colleagues. Apart from being a teacher, the things that matter most to me are my family and opportunities to help people. I like to go with the flow!

Hi ! I am Shraddha. My journey begins with questioning and observing. I come from a family of teachers in K schools. Since I had fantastic teachers who instilled the importance of inquisitiveness and reflection in me,I am passionate about doing the same. I did an integrated Bachelor's degree in Science and Education which introduced me to a new spectrum of learning. I enjoy grappling with theories and experiments and even did projects at National Chemical Laboratory. My first teaching experience led to the discovery that there is no greater joy then learning along with the children. I often doodle and write about nothing in particular in my diary. I find solace in playing Sitar and listening to music. Most importantly I love reading, it could be adventurous, autobiographical, mysterious or magical. There is no end to exploration, it's as Krishnamurthy says ‘...if you can just observe what you are and move with it, then you will find that it is possible to go infinitely far. Then there is no end to the journey, and that is the mystery, the beauty of it.

Hello! I studied in a Krishnamurti school (Rishi Valley) and have been working in various capacities in Krishnamurti schools for about 30 years. In this time I have taught English and Mathematics primarily, but also History, Geography and a smattering of other subjects. Life in a residential school gives you the opportunity to pursue several interests while engaging with students, so I have also enjoyed running and other sports, trekking, quizzing, poetry, theatre and music with them. And being a house parent for several years has been a challenging and often fulfilling experience. It is in the houses especially that relationships are deepened and sustained. Krishnamurti was perhaps unique in the depth at which he understood that a school is a place for learning, as much for the adult as it is for the child. He saw that psychologically there is much commonality between the ‘adult’ and ‘child’ minds. If adults can learn to be as open and vulnerable as they perhaps expect children to be, here is a space for learning together about the things that come in the way of our living with freedom and goodness. This raises the bar very high for teachers! It is this vision that gives Rajghat its impetus as a school. And with it, a location on the banks of two rivers, a land replete with trees, birds and animals, and with diverse spiritual traditions. The feeling that it is possible in such a place to learn about living intelligently in a world that faces threats of many kinds, is what keeps me going.

I teach Mathematics to Middle and High School students at Rajghat Besant School. I have been teaching students all over the globe for close to 40 years. I started my teaching career at Rishi Valley School, then went to Hyderabad Public School, before a brief stint at RBS in the early 80s. My teaching career took me to the Middle East – to the Indian School at Muscat, where I taught for fourteen years. I then moved to Philadelphia, PA where I taught High School for another fifteen years. Although I have reached retirement age, I will never think of myself as being retired! It is my passion for the subject and keen interest in teaching students that brought me back to RBS after so many years. Outside of Math, I enjoy teaching children Origami, and doing fun puzzles with them. I am an outdoors enthusiast and love to go hiking/trekking in the Himalayas. My three grandchildren are my greatest source of happiness!

I have a Ph.D. in Microbial Biotechnology and previously taught Biology to senior students atKrishnavehni Talent School in Hyderabad. I also collaborated with SOLISTAA Pharmaceuticals on wastewater treatment projects. My passion for teaching and the joy of seeing young minds learn and grow led me back to school teaching. I am drawn to K School due to its holistic education philosophy and strong community values. I thoroughly enjoy teaching Biology. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing badminton, painting, and listening to music. I also love nature walks and engaging in adventurous activities such as trekking, river rafting, and mountain climbing.

Hailing from ' Chittorgarh of Bihar', I am a Technocrat turned Teacher. By choice: to live, relive, live...my passion for Teaching. I have almost 15 years of experience ranging from core domain to software and it extends to teaching for JEE (Mathematics). I Consider, Mathematics as poetry of logical ideas. I strongly believe in School as a Temple of Learning, where we are involved in the teaching learning process. More precisely, I always look at myself as a student of life. Life has always put me on a roller coaster and I kept molding myself to fit in. Here, at K - schools, my own thirst and quest for self-enquiry is getting replenished. The intent, core philosophies, and principles at K schools resonate with my own natural frequency and probably that's the reason that I chose to be here. K schools have that innate ability to make anyone a learner and that's the beauty to be sought for. I am also a critic and reviewer, and many of my write-ups find their place at national and international journals including Asian signature, episteme, destiny poets etc. On my account, I have a poetry book titled 'sweet indulgence.' I love wandering in and around Nature.

My name is Paankhi Michelle Jones, and I am a senior-level psychology teacher. I completed my graduation and post-graduation from Vasanta College for Women (BHU) with a specialization in clinical psychology. I started my professional journey with an internship at the Central Institute for Psychiatry in Ranchi, where I worked with patients dealing with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and also contributed to drug rehabilitation programs. After gaining valuable clinical experience, I transitioned to teaching and completed my B.Ed. I now have over a decade of experience in education, having explored both teaching and school administration roles. I joined the Krishnamurti Foundation India (KFI) to further enhance my understanding of the teaching process. Krishnamurti's philosophy emphasizes holistic education, nurturing the mind and spirit, and fostering a deep sense of self-awareness in students. His ideas about the importance of freedom from fear and the need for educators to create an environment where students can inquire, explore, and discover resonate deeply with my teaching approach. In addition to my professional life, I love engaging with children and understanding their mental states. Coming from a family of teachers, I am inspired to follow in their footsteps and dedicate myself to the field of education. I am committed to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment for my students

Hello! I teach Accountancy and Economics at RBS. I completed my graduation and masters from BHU with a specialization in Finance. At 23 I began working as a Business Analyst and enrolled in a PGDBA course from Symbiosis, again with a specialization in Finance. Recently I completed my B.Ed degree. While I was in industry, I had the opportunity to develop a new venture called “Institute of Accountants” that provided students with practical know-how about working in a CA firm. This experience helped me realize my interest and potential in teaching. After that, I worked in many institutes including a State level University College for almost seven years. Simultaneously I worked in Professional Tutorials for competitive exams. Being someone who has always dealt with competition as a student and also as a professional, working in Rajghat was not that easy initially. But I have been fortunate to meet some of my favourite people in life here, who supported me to be the teacher I am today. I learned that a teacher in a Krishnamurti school is not only a specialist in a subject but a person who works towards an understanding relationship with students; a teacher here takes interest in every aspect of life. She is an observer, conscious not only of external happenings but her inner state. As each relationship is different and special in its own way, my students in the course of my journey in Rajghat have inspired me to work with zeal and enthusiasm with each one of them. I retain a deep interest in handling Finances and Investments, and continue to do this as a hobby. I see myself as a thinker, an observer, who indulges in self-reflection and introspection.

I have a postgraduate degree in Physical Education and a PG diploma in Yoga Education, and have 10 years of professional experience. In Rajghat I teach PE and yoga, and am also the house parent of Varuna hostel. I have been very active in NCC and have participated in several state or national level events. Under my supervision, our girls’ handball teams have twice won the CBSE zonal level tournament and participated in the nationals. Apart from my teaching, I love gardening with children. School provides a unique platform where one not only contributes to the nation building process by developing social capital, but also helps to keep alive the child in the adult, in the constant presence of students. This has changed my perspectives. For me teaching has become much more than a profession to earn a livelihood. It has been a great learning experience. In Rajghat we are encouraged not only to impart the educational curriculum but to imbibe and understand the processes underneath. Flexibility, firmness, stability and discipline are some of the great features provided by the school. Teaching yoga and other physical activities online during the pandemic has been a great challenge, but I have found ways to do it. I always feel energized by the positive attitude of students. It motivates me to give my best as a teacher. The other work that is important to me is understanding what it is to be a sensible human being!

I am a post graduate in chemistry from JNTU Anantapur. I worked in different educational institutions in Hyderabad at school and inter college level. I came to know about Krishnamurti Ji when I worked in an ICSE school founded on K's Philosophy. This is the first time I encountered an alternative school and I was totally surprised to know about the working culture which is totally alien to a corporate schooling. Teaching is my passion and I like helping student community to whatever extent I can in understanding the surroundings better. I agree with the saying that " If there is to be any kind of social change, there must be a different kind of education so that children are not brought up to conform

I completed my MBA in 2014 and then worked in sales and operations. In 2018, I made a career switch from the corporate sector to the field of education. I founded my venture focusing on inclusive education and also pursued a Fellowship with Teach for India to further explore this area. To me, education is about understanding what it means to be human and realizing that learning cannot thrive in an environment of fear. Everything else, I believe, follows as a natural consequence. This philosophy led me to join a Krishnamurti School. I enjoy teaching Mathematics and science and engaging in discussions and sports with students. The biggest challenge I face as a teacher is observing without my own biases as an adult and not allowing my personal beliefs and experiences to influence my judgments of the students. Overcoming this challenge is what motivates me to continue as a teacher.

Hello! My curiosity in energy research at university, brought forth the opportunity to be a part of the clean-energy lab at Imperial College London. I further went on to work in Germany at a renewable energy research centre after pursuing a post graduate degree in Sustainable Systems Engineering. In a parallel stream, the need to explore nature and the world took shape in activities such as photography, poetry, night-sky observations, mountaineering, long distance walking, and cycling. Consequently, the introduction of Krishnamurti happened when the following factors came together - leisure, energy of youth, curiosity to explore, contrast of cultures, abundance of natural beauty, a sense of deep gratitude, a solitary space to experiment and learn. My need to participate in a Krishnamurti school was a natural one. I was looking for a place where holistic development is explored together, or at least attempted sincerely – where a sense of being together and a sense of working together is nurtured.

I am the Tabla teacher in Rajghat Besant School. I hold a Master’s degree in Tabla from Banaras Hindu University and have also completed ‘Prabhaakar’ from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, along with a B.A. in Tabla from Purvanchal University. I have had a five-year stint as a Tabla artist for All India Radio from 1995-2000 and was an All India Winner for Akhil Bhartiya Competition of Prayag Sangeet Samiti in the year 1994. I am an artist by heart and came into teaching to impart that passion to the next generations. I have been associated with Rajghat in the capacity of a Tabla instructor for 22-23 years now and it’s the love of the children and their eagerness to learn that keeps me going. Each child is special and I, as a Tabla teacher, try to understand what each wants from the subject. Teaching and learning from them and seeing them perform the things I’ve taught them gives me immense pleasure, and I hope that they grow up to be understanding and happy adults and keep music alive in their hearts. In Rajghat, I am impressed by the kind of freedom that is offered to students and teachers in their learning and teaching. The school is like a family where each child is treated at par with his peers and yet given individual attention to help him develop in his unique way. It would be a blessing if there were more schools like this, to help more children to become complete versions of themselves. This way a child grows up not only as a literate person, but as a well-rounded and educated person.

I grew up in the hills of Shimla and have a Master’s degree in English and education. As my consciousness awakened, I found myself drawn towards teaching. My mother was a teacher, and from early on I enjoyed working with children across all grades. After graduation, I taught at a school for economically marginalised children in Shimla, focussing on English language and Environmental Science. This exposed me to the grassroot realities of the education system. I realised that figuring out creative ways to teach for different learning styles was a fascinating challenge. This brought me to special education and the KFI schools, where each child is special because it is recognised that each one learns differently. I have taught for more than two decades, in different places and grades. My experience with under-resourced schools and educational colleges has made me realize that we need to work with children to address their different learning needs, especially at the school level, in a way that achieves their individual potential. I enjoy Rajghat because it has made me realize that living together in a residential school enables teachers to see different facets of each child. This has impacted my teaching approach and I believe it has made me a more humane teacher. In the past decade I have been working towards making inclusive approaches a reality. I am heartened when I see a child who has struggled with learning make progress, and this gives me the energy to keep going. This article may provide you a glimpse of my journey http://www.journal.kfionline.org/issue-24/heartful-attention-one-child-at-a-time (COPY AND PASTE URL ) In addition to my work as a teacher, I like to read fiction, go for long walks, try new recipes and art related activities. One thing which I never want to miss is watching the sunset!

Hello, my name is Neha Tripathi. I have spent most of my life in Delhi and Bangalore. I obtained my bachelor's and master's degrees in Pure Physics from Delhi University and have nearly a decade of experience in the field of education. During my graduation, I came across Krishnamurti sir and read his book, “First and Last Freedom.” His ideas sparked my curiosity about the kind of school he dreamt of, leading me to inquire about the schools in India and their intent. Currently, I work as a Physics teacher at RBS. I spend my evenings clearing children's doubts in the subject and the Art Complex, to pursue my passion for painting. I am also interested in art history and have pursued a Diploma from Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad. My energy as a teacher comes from curiosity, nature, and the history of science. One of my most memorable teaching experiences was when I worked with acid attack survivor children for several months, which made me realize my deep empathy for others. As Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “Learning never exhausts the mind,” and I aim to continue learning and experiencing new things throughout my life.

I have a BSc with biology as my major subject and an MA in Hindi. I have also done a BEd and have had nursery teachers’ training. When my daughter joined Rajghat Besant School, I enquired if I could contribute in any way to the school. I was offered a position as assistant teacher for the youngest children and eventually as a house parent. I had not worked a job for 10 years by that time, so this was a challenge. But I found great mentors and support systems at the school. I learnt everything here! I enjoy teaching and learning EVS the most because I like to connect to nature. But I also like to teach Hindi. I find it fascinating to study young children as they pick up languages (both English and Hindi). When I started, the biggest challenge I faced was vertical teaching. I couldn't understand how to manage a class with children at different levels. With the help of mentors, I found resources and worked really hard at planning and reflection until I became good at it. I always had a passion for musical instruments. I wanted to learn a variety of them. But for one reason or another, I could not do so. I hope I will be able to do so in the coming years. I continue to harbour a dream for my daughter: for her to get exposure to a variety of fields so she discovers what she loves and can choose what she wants to do in life. I have always believed that children best learn naturally and through play. I don't believe in the conventional way of preparing children for jobs. I want them to grow in all directions and fulfil their potential.

I am a postgraduate in English literature from Delhi University, with a Bachelor’s in Education from Indraprastha University, Delhi. I have also done a course in Children’s Services from NMIT (North Melbourne Institute of Technical Education TAFE) Australia, for designing and implementing curriculum in early childhood and care settings, before and after school programs (0 to 12 years). My journey in teaching has been varied and I have taught across different age groups in ICSE, CBSE and local boards in Jharkhand, Delhi, Noida, Varanasi, and Melbourne. But Rajghat Besant School is where I have been an educator the longest, and for a good reason - the community. The saying ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ becomes all the more relevant when I mention RBS. The school offers a learning environment not just for young children but adults too. The place encourages one to try and be a better version of oneself. This reflects in our interactions and day to day transactions both in and out of the classrooms. Students’ unique and raw energy doesn’t get subdued by the place, rather it helps them to explore and keep alive the element of wonder even as they grow older. It can be a little challenging for the teacher to help steer this energy, in a way that is non-invasive, towards a constructive result. I love playing sports, listening to music, singing, and my best memories are of the games that are organised for both teachers and students together. That is what I have been missing the most due to Covid 19 restrictions!

Hi! My name is Shahnaz. I am an art teacher at Rajghat Besant School. I have studied painting and fibre sculpture as a part of my specialised course in Bachelors of Fine Arts and Masters of Fine Arts from Visva Bharati University. I have been working here since 2012. I was also a student in Rajghat. Working in a school brings me close to the life of many children. Connecting with young minds keeps me interested and energised as a teacher. A child with an open mind and heart feels free to express her/his emotions and ideas through art. As an art teacher, creating this environment for a child is important for me. I find it a great opportunity to be in a KFI school as it creates spaces for all to explore, question, be mindful and observe the outer world, and also the world within ourselves. Spaces, too, to be sensitive to the environment and people around us, and to appreciate the beauty of nature as it grows wildly and changes with time. Apart from being an art teacher, I like to spend time with children singing, playing games, decorating outdoor spaces, learning new skills, and going on walks. Working with them gives me joy, and each day I meet a child I have something new to see and understand. It’s a fresh start every day.

A strong desire in me to learn pottery from a traditional potter( my Guru Late Mr. V. Narayanan who was teaching clay modelling in this school) is something that brought me into this campus way back in 2001. By then, I was a grown up with an M. Phil with B.Ed. The simplicity and warmth of children and adults living here in such a rich natural environment hooked me in. Gradually, I came in contact with the fountain of endless energy: the teachings of K. Over the years, apart from learning and sharing in outdoor activities, areas like athletics, compost making, building tree houses, etc. I have been formally teaching in the field of Art, Commerce and Mathematics to various age groups at different points of time. Being here for over two decades, has enabled me to function as a coordinator for Art Dept., Junior and Middle School, Hostels, excursion and so on. Birding, long walks, cycling, calligraphy are some of the things I love to do with students and friends. At present, I am a class teacher of grade 8, teaching maths to them. I love what I do.

मैं शिवांगी वत्स, बनारस की मूल निवासी हूं।मेरी शिक्षा - दीक्षा भी यहीं काशी हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय से हुई। स्नातक संस्कृत आनर्स, एम.ए संस्कृत काशी हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय से हुई। बी.एड., मार्ग दर्शन में प्रमाण पत्र, बिहार एस टी .ई. टी. पास हूं। मैं १० वर्षों से अध्यापन के कार्य में लगी हूं। मैं संस्कृत विषय पढ़ाती हूं। मुझे अध्ययन अध्यापन का कार्य बहुत पसंद है।बच्चे को पढ़ाना, सिखाना, क्रियाकलाप कराना , खेल -खेल में बच्चे के अन्दर संस्कृत विषय के प्रति रुचि पैदा करना। अपने ग्रंथों के विषय से अवगत कराना, मंत्रों श्लोकों का वाचन कराना। नाटक, कथा, गीत ,कवि,नाटककार, साहित्यकार, छंद, रस इन सभी पर चर्चा परिचर्चा करना बहुत अच्छा लगता है। कृष्णमूर्ति स्कूल मुझे बहुत पसंद है क्योंकि ऐसा वातावरण अन्य विद्यालयों में नहीं मिलता है। भय के बिना , दंड के बिना बच्चे को पढ़ाना बहुत मुश्किल काम है , लेकिन कृष्ण मूर्ति जी के विद्यालय से सीखने को मिलता है। चर्चा परिचर्चा से , विडियो, पुस्तकों से बहुत कुछ सीखने को मिलता है। मेरा राजघाट से गहरा संबंध है। मैं यहां २०१२ से २०१८ तक जूनियर स्कूल और सीनियर स्कूल की संस्कृत की शिक्षिका रह चुकी हूं।

I came from a family where teaching and learning has been engrained in my blood and mind due to the academic environment which has been provided to me since early stage of my life. I did my undergraduate and postgraduate from Banaras Hindu University. I have been qualified for UGC-NET/JRF and currently pursuing Ph.D in geography from the same university. I teach geography to senior student at Rajghat. The aesthetic vibe of Rajghat is similar to my aura of energy brought me to this place. I love to engage with different sets of people in differentsettings. Interacting with children of different age groups give me immense pleasure and joy which prompt me to explore my life along with others. The energy which I experience at Rajghat cannot be expressed through words. Sometime I feel the vision, philosophy on whiich J. Krishnamurthy had set up this school got entrapped in the environment of Rajghat which persuade others to rely on his philosophy and his values. The natural settings of Rajghat provides me a deep connection with my subject Geography. A geographer is always passionate about experiencing a new setting whether it is cultural or natural. Apart from teaching, I have diverse interest in subjects like polity, economy and international relations. Beside these I love traveling, exercise for my fitness and reading novels. Now its time to pay back to the society and nation.

I did my M.Sc. in Computer Science and B.Ed. from B.H.U. I then joined Allahabad Bank in 2016 and worked there till 2020 before joining Rajghat Besant School. I always wanted to be a teacher and felt quite restless in a banking environment. I wanted to be among children. At this point, I started watching videos of Krishnamurti speaking with children and was moved by what I saw. The decision to quit a government job was not easy, but the urge to join Rajghat became irresistible after I met a few people from Rajghat at the Alice Boner Institute, Varanasi during the launch of my first book. The beauty of Rajghat, I feel, is a result of the people here: the kind of people I have met nowhere else. There's a sense of comfort and stillness in people's presence here. As a teacher I understand my role as being to make children utterly honest to themselves. Unless this happens there is no space for improvement or learning. The human race is tricked by its own mind, and dishonesty is a result of fear. It hinders learning in all possible ways. It is important to me that there shouldn’t be fear in the classroom, but I can’t claim that fear never comes in! I have thoroughly enjoyed doing science with classes 7 and 8. More than teaching a subject, I like learning with children, as they are open and bring new perspectives to everything. Apart from teaching, I like reading, writing short stories and listening to Indian classical music. I also enjoy fishkeeping, and over time it has become a passion. I also roam the city with my camera, looking for an urban garden.