When I began teaching, my school had just 300 students. Many parents questioned the value of education. Girls often dropped out. Students lacked confidence and big dreams seemed impossible for them. I knew something had to change, not just in the curriculum, but in how we approached education itself.

Over the years, I worked with my students, their parents, and the community to transform our school into something extraordinary. Today, we have 1,000 students – children who arrive excited to learn, participate, and contribute. Between 2012 and 2020, our community believed in our vision so deeply that they contributed over 18 lakh rupees to improve our school’s facilities. This wasn’t just about money; it was about people investing in their children’s future.

I introduced programs that most urban schools didn’t have. We brought successful people to inspire our children every two weeks. We turned birthdays into opportunities for giving rather than receiving. We made our school green with over 2,000 trees planted in creative ways. We gave our students cameras to make films, platforms to perform, and responsibilities to build character. My training in naturopathy allowed me to introduce natural healing practices in school, teaching children that nature provides remedies for most ailments. My love for music and poetry brought creative expression into daily learning, making education joyful and meaningful.

The results speak louder than any certificate – our students now compete at state levels, qualify for prestigious schools, and most importantly, they believe in themselves. My diverse pursuits – teaching, healing, writing, and ongoing music studies – all converge in my educational philosophy: nurture the whole child, not just their academic abilities.

In 2021, the Government of India honored me with the National Teacher Award, recognizing my dedication to education. This wasn’t just my achievement; it belonged to every student who planted a tree, every parent who donated a book, and every community member who believed in our vision. Currently, I am nominated for the Divyabhaskar Award 2025 for my environmental work, which feels like recognition of our collective effort to make our community greener and cleaner.

One project particularly close to my heart involved collecting plastic waste with my students and creating 1,500 eco-bricks. This earned us a Guinness World Record, but more importantly, it taught children that waste isn’t just garbage – it’s an opportunity to innovate. The films we created with students received remarkable recognition. “Sacho Saharo” was selected among Gujarat’s best films in 2015. “Punya” was screened by NCERT in 2018. “Sachi Duniya” received honors from GTPL in 2019. These weren’t professional productions – they were stories told by children, acted by children, and created to inspire other children.

My writing has found audiences beyond the classroom. Over 70 articles on environmental awareness and education have been published in various newspapers and journals. My gazals in Hindi and Gujarati have been published in national books, expressing through poetry what sometimes educational prose cannot capture. The rhythm of language, the melody of words – these are tools I use both in my writing and in my teaching.

Every award, every recognition, every published piece reminds me why I do this work. It’s not about the certificates on my wall or the poems in print; it’s about the light in a child’s eyes when they realize they matter, their voice counts, and their actions can create change.

My background in naturopathy transformed how we approach health in school. Our first aid box contains natural remedies – turmeric, alum, fennel – teaching children that healing begins with nature. I conduct health education using my medical knowledge, helping students understand their bodies and the importance of natural wellness.

My ongoing studies in Music Visharad bring a unique dimension to education. Learning multiplication tables becomes easier when sung to a tune. Poetry appreciation deepens when students understand rhythm and meter. Cultural programs aren’t just performances; they’re expressions of heritage and creativity that build confidence and identity. I study music not just for myself but to bring its transformative power into my classroom.

As a writer, I have authored two books that reflect my educational philosophy and life experiences. “Amrut Thi Ghayal Sudhi” in Gujarati explores the journey from sweet beginnings to life’s deeper lessons. “Jindagini Sikh” is a collection of motivational articles that share practical wisdom for navigating life’s challenges. One of my books received a memorable honor when the legendary Amitabh Bachchan autographed it, a moment that reminded me how words can bridge worlds and connect hearts across distances.

Beyond books, I craft gazals in Hindi and Gujarati that have been published in national anthologies. Over 70 articles on environmental awareness and education have appeared in various newspapers and journals. I understand the power of language and expression, and I encourage students to write, to express feelings through words, to find their voice. Writing isn’t just about grammar; it’s about having something meaningful to say and the courage to say it.

These diverse pursuits – teaching, healing, writing, music – aren’t separate careers; they’re integrated aspects of who I am as an educator. They allow me to connect with students on multiple levels, understanding that some children learn through logic, others through creativity, some through movement, and others through quiet reflection. By continuing to learn myself, I model for my students that education is a lifelong journey, not a destination.

From Amrit… to ‘Ghayal’ Author:- Vanita Rathod ‘Ghayal’ Found Shri Amrit Shaheed A Ghazal