“Excellence Is Achieved Through Collective Effort” Says, Aditi Mishra, Principal, DPS Gurgaon

In an era where education continuously evolves, Aditi Mishra, Principal, DPS Gurgaon, stands out as a visionary leader dedicated to fostering excellence within her institution. With a strong belief in collective effort and shared responsibility, Aditi has implemented unique leadership strategies that empower both teachers and students, creating a dynamic learning environment. In this interview, she discusses her approach to integrating technology while maintaining traditional values, encouraging innovation and creativity and adapting to the evolving role of school leaders in a post-pandemic world.

What are the unique leadership strategies you have implemented to drive DPS Gurgaon toward excellence in education?

As a leader, I believe that excellence in education is achieved through collective effort and shared responsibility. I focus on empowering my teachers and students by creating an environment where they feel trusted and valued. I delegate responsibilities to teachers, giving them independence to lead initiatives in their areas of expertise while aligning with the school's broader vision. This approach allows them to innovate and take ownership of their work, fostering a culture of leadership at all levels.  Also, this distributed leadership not only lightens the burden on any single individual but also ensures that different aspects of the school are managed by those who are passionate and skilled in their areas. Additionally, I also focus on building a community of leaders among students, encouraging them to take on responsibilities and develop their leadership skills. When leadership is shared across the board, it creates a ripple effect where excellence becomes a collective pursuit, ingrained in every layer of the school community. This empowerment-driven strategy has been key to steering our school toward continuous growth and excellence.

How do you handle the growing demands of integrating technology in education while maintaining traditional values in a K-12 school setting?

Balancing the integration of technology while maintaining traditional values in a K-12 setting requires a thoughtful approach. I believe that technology is a powerful tool that can enhance learning, however it should never replace the core values that form the foundation of education. During the pandemic, we seamlessly transitioned to online learning, using technology to keep education accessible. Post pandemic, we have continued to embrace technological advancements such as interactive boards and digital tools, which have made learning more engaging and visually stimulating for students. We encourage students to apply technology in meaningful ways, such as project-based learning, however, while we adopt these innovations, we remain committed to fostering essential skills like critical thinking, empathy and integrity values that transcend technology. In this way, we maintain a holistic learning environment where traditional values and modern tools coexist, ensuring students are well prepared for the future without losing sight of the values that shape responsible and well-rounded individuals.

How do you encourage innovation and creativity among teachers and students at DPS Gurgaon?

I believe that innovation and creativity can only flourish when there is no fear of failure. To encourage this mindset, I have created a culture that promotes experimentation and values learning from every experience - whether it is a success or a setback. By fostering a supportive environment where teachers are not afraid to try new approaches, we enable continuous professional growth and encourage pedagogical innovation. For students, we create opportunities for creative exploration through project-based learning, innovation labs and a variety of co-curricular activities. We teach them to see mistakes as learning opportunities and celebrate the process as much as the outcome. By embedding this ethos in our school, we create an environment where creativity thrives and new ideas are constantly being generated by both teachers and students.

In what ways have you seen the role of school principals evolve in recent years, particularly post-pandemic?

As Principals, we find ourselves navigating a growing array of demands, often with less authority than before, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. While our commitment to students remains unwavering, the expectations placed on us have multiplied. We are now tasked with not only ensuring scholastic and co-scholastic excellence in students but also fostering emotional well-being and instilling life skills within the confines of a typical school day and managing an ever-evolving educational landscape. This increased pressure has made leadership roles in education more challenging and understandably less appealing to some. The strain on principals is real and if this trend continues, it could lead to a shortage of leaders willing to step into these roles—a concern that may significantly impact the future of education.

Mayank Badhwar

BW Reporters The reporter works as Senior Correspondent with BW Businessworld