National Teachers Day Awards 2020: Meet Educators Who are Innovating the System

In a virtual ceremony held on the 5 September, President Ram Nath Kovind conferred 49 teachers with the National Teacher's Day Award 2020. While addressing the teachers, he applauded them for making the transition to technology-driven teaching in unprecedented times where the COVID-19 pandemic has halted the traditional classroom teaching-learning process. 18 out of the 47 teachers selected for the award are women. Let us know about a few of the women recipients of the award

Chemmalar Shanmugam

Chemmalar Shanmugam is the Head Mistress of the primary section of a Kendriya Vidyalaya No 2 School in Jalhalli, Bengaluru. She received the award for her versatile methods of teaching English Language and for raising awareness among them on local issues.

Snehil Pandey

Snehil Pandey is a head teacher at PS Soharamau, Nawabganj, Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. She transformed her school with innovative and joyful learning activities and emphasised on gender equality.

Padma Priya Vummaji

Padma Priya Vummajji is a teacher at Government Nehru Memorial High School, Malakpet, Hyderbad, Telangana. She makes mathematics fun and easy to learn for children. The educator also uses ICT methods to teach her students. The talented teacher works with integrating Maths with Art to make challenging mathematical concepts.

Archana Gurung

Archana Gurung, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Jorethang, Sikkim, introduced various confidence-building measures among her students. To reduce truancy in her school, she introduced the system of taking attendance five times a day. Not only this, the Principal tried to ensure to make her school a safe and joyful place for students. She even introduced fun exercises like Zumba dancing.

Misha Ghoshal

Misha Ghoshal is a head teacher at Dhanapati Toto Memorial High School, Alipurduar, West Bengal. She worked relentlessly for the improvement of infrastructure of the school. The educator adapted local culture for effective learning. She pushes inclusive education using music therapy to help differently abled learners learn better.

Sudha Painuli

Sudha Painuli is the Vice Principal of Eklavya Model Residential School, Jogla Kalsi, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. She focusses on education for the tribal communities. She creates programmes in order to inculcate the love of learning amongst tribal children through innovative concepts like theatre education, youth parliaments and ecological projects.

Thankaleta Thankappan

Thankaleta Thankappan is a head teacher at Government Lvlps Chavara South,Thekkumbhagom, Kerala. She's introduced many joyful outdoor activities and with innovative learning oriented toys.  Thankappan also set up an English learning gallery and a language lab for students to explore languages.

Roohi Sultana

Roohi Sultana, a teacher at BMS Kashiporatailbal, Srinagar J&K, has demonstrated her creative and innovative skills. She has kept her students engaged even in the challenging times when teaching-learning process has been disrupted. Sultana has introduced children-friendly resources for enhancing literacy and numeracy and has strived for the inclusion of children with special needs.

Many of our educators strive hard and work relentlessly towards making education more holistic and enchanting process. Such teachers are selected from the entire country by the Ministry of Education, Department of School Education & Literacy.

Sanskriti Tiwari is an intern with SheThePeople.TV