The education sector is experiencing a whirlwind of change, striving to balance academic excellence with pedagogical demands. This necessitates a flexible approach that fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation alongside core knowledge acquisition. Educators are now seen as facilitators, guiding students to navigate a dynamic world and become lifelong learners.
Kavita Sanghvi is one such individual who leads with the baton of innovation and leadership. She is a seasoned educator whose journey in the realm of teaching began years ago within the corridors of SVKM’s CNM School, located in the lively metropolis of Mumbai.
Having commenced her career in education back in June 1997, Kavita’s passion for fostering meaningful learning experiences ignited early on. As a dedicated teacher, she tirelessly sought out novel strategies and methodologies to captivate the minds of her students and promote a positive and engaging classroom environment for her cohort of 40 eager learners.
Swiftly ascending the ranks, Kavita’s exceptional dedication and aptitude for educational leadership saw her ascend to the role of Coordinator within a mere two years of her tenure. During this time, she recognized the potential to inspire her fellow educators to transcend conventional teaching paradigms and embrace innovation in pedagogy.
Driven by a fervent motivation to extend her influence beyond the confines of her subject matter, Kavita embarked on a journey of professional development, continuously honing her skills through rigorous training, courses, and workshops. Armed with newfound knowledge and a steadfast commitment to excellence, she assumed leadership roles in various institutions, tirelessly advocating for the importance of creativity and innovation in education.
Kavita cultivated a culture of collaboration and growth, empowering her colleagues to push boundaries and strive for excellence in their respective domains. Today, she takes immense pride in the legacy she has helped shape, witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of her mentorship as her former proteges assume leadership roles of their own both within the institution and out in the world.
Presently positioned as the Principal at SVKM’s CNM School, Kavita continues to exemplify the ideals of educational excellence, inspiring a new generation of educators to embrace innovation, creativity and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Vision
The vision is to raise the quality of educators to create a dynamic curriculum that empowers students to be problem solvers.
Mission
The mission is to train educators to go beyond the textbook, explore new teaching methodologies, conduct action research to arrive at solutions, and be role models to equip students with values and positive attitudes.
Confronting Obstacles
Throughout Kavita’s journey, there have been innumerable challenges. First and foremost, stakeholders have had a mindset towards change. People are reluctant to accept anything that moves them from their comfort zone and thus can show deep inertia.
She shares, “The second challenge has been a lack of resources and awareness for myself to upskill.” Finally, she encountered unnecessary obstacles from colleagues who sought to impede her path to success.
Overcoming Resistance and Building Momentum
To tackle the initial challenge, Kavita began to understand where people were coming from, their expectations, and their potential. She invested time in building strong relationships with teachers, parents, management, and students, engaging in open discussions about ideas and potential changes., She gradually earned their trust and cooperation by highlighting the benefits and demonstrating a clear roadmap for progress. Kavita found that establishing trust and fostering faith among stakeholders proved instrumental in overcoming inhibitions and paving the way for constructive change.
Addressing the second challenge, Kavita recognized the importance of diversifying her network to gain valuable perspectives and resources. Actively engaging with educators from various backgrounds and countries, such as through her involvement as a Varkey Ambassador, provided her with access to a wealth of expertise and resources. Additionally, collaborations with organizations like the British Council allowed her to explore core skills and train educators nationwide. Further enhancing her professional development, Kavita pursued a Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership from the prestigious Harvard Graduate School of Education.
In confronting the third challenge, Kavita adopted a resilient mindset. Recognizing the inevitability of encountering resistance and criticism, she cultivated a ‘thick skin’ to shield herself from negativity. Embracing mindfulness practices and affirmations, Kavita found inner strength amidst adversity, refusing to be swayed by others’ taunts or sarcasm. She says, “The only way you can stand strong is by believing in yourself, practice mindfulness and constant affirmations.”
Connecting Classrooms
Technology has become an indispensable tool for Kavita, offering her the means to overcome physical barriers and connect with educators globally. As a member of the Teacher Task Force Leadership group, Kavita engages with principals from diverse countries through virtual platforms and messaging apps like WhatsApp. This collaborative space enables the sharing of innovative ideas and best practices in education.
Through these interactions, Kavita and her peers leverage the power of technology to observe, discuss, and strategize around new educational initiatives. Whether it’s experimenting with novel teaching methodologies or addressing challenges within the education sector, the group serves as a forum for brainstorming and problem-solving.
Moreover, Kavita harnesses the capabilities of AI platforms to streamline administrative tasks such as creating presentations, letters and emails, thus significantly reducing paperwork and enhancing efficiency. The cumulative effect of these interactions and technological interventions has empowered Kavita to implement impactful programs within her school, benefiting her students profoundly.
The Mantra
“Either you will find a way or an excuse, and I always believe in finding a way,” states Kavita.
As a leader, she wholeheartedly embraces this mantra, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation rather than obstacles to be avoided. Guided by this powerful mantra, she leads by example, demonstrating that with determination and resourcefulness, there is always a way forward.
Educational Strategy
Taking her entire team into confidence, Kavita initiates a collaborative process by floating ideas and suggesting a SWOT analysis. She encourages open discussion, allowing each member to contribute their perspectives and insights. With a meticulous approach, Kavita carefully evaluates each proposal’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Once convinced of the viability of an initiative, Kavita proceeds to introduce it to a select group within the school community. For instance, in 2019, she spearheaded the implementation of a STEAM-based curriculum for grades I to VI. Prior to its full-scale introduction, Kavita conducted a pilot study with grade V in 2018 to assess the curriculum’s efficacy. Upon witnessing positive results and significant impact at the end of the trial period, she confidently extended the initiative to encompass all classes. Through this methodical approach and strategic decision-making, Kavita ensures the successful integration of innovative programs within the school curriculum.
Redefining STEM Education
In January 2023, Kavita launched a STEM course for educators titled ‘Build your STEM Competency‘, offering it free of cost. Despite initially garnering 50 enrolments, only six participants managed to complete the course, leaving her disheartened. Determined to address the shortcomings, Kavita engaged in detailed discussions with the participants to identify the course’s pitfalls and promptly set about redesigning it.
Armed with valuable insights gleaned from participant feedback by June 2023, Kavita reintroduced the course, witnessing a surge in interest, with over 80 educators from across India registering. This time, more than 45 participants successfully completed the revamped course, buoyed by positive feedback attesting to its effectiveness in enhancing STEM learning within classrooms.
Bolstered by the resounding success of the redesigned course, Kavita decided to reintroduce it in December 2023, this time with a nominal fee. The response was overwhelming, with registrations filling up quickly, underscoring the newfound value and credibility of the program.
Celebrating Achievement
Kavita fosters a culture of innovation and empowerment among her teaching staff, encouraging them to explore and implement new ideas confidently. Recognizing the importance of acknowledging and celebrating their successes, she amplifies their achievements by sharing their stories on the school’s social media pages and in school magazines.
By highlighting her teachers’ accomplishments, Kavita acknowledges their hard work and inspires a sense of pride and ownership in their contributions to the organization. This practice instils a collective understanding that the school’s and individual educators’ success is intertwined, motivating them to think bigger and aspire to greater accomplishments.
Reaching New Heights
Driven by her passion for STEM education, Kavita aspires to author books that serve as comprehensive guides for educators, empowering them to seamlessly integrate STEM pedagogy and skills into their classrooms. With a deep commitment to enhancing teaching practices and fostering student engagement, she aims to provide practical insights and actionable strategies that enable teachers to effectively implement STEM principles in their lessons.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Kavita harbors a personal goal of scaling the Mt. Everest base camp in the near future. Fueled by a spirit of adventure and a thirst for new challenges, she envisions conquering the awe-inspiring heights of the world’s tallest peak, drawing inspiration from the perseverance and determination required to reach such lofty summits.
