Joyeeta Dasgupta, Principal of NiBS, has held leadership positions at Ashok Hall School, Techno India School, and the Indirapuram Group, including serving as a founding principal and digital lead for a group of schools. A vivacious and multi-faceted educator, Ms. Joyeeta is an ed-tech enthusiast, avid reader, travel enthusiast, writer, debater, theatre actor, educational volunteer, and mother.
1. Briefly share your journey?
My path to education was unplanned. I started as a financial reporter, immersed in deadlines and data. Teaching began as a one-day substitute gig, but something clicked. What was temporary became a calling. I fell in love with the process–not just the content, but the connections, curiosity, and constant learning. What drew me to teaching was the coaching aspect–helping individuals discover strengths, overcome challenges, and grow. I came to see educational leadership not as authority, but as team-building with purpose and a willingness to embrace change. Becoming a principal felt like a natural extension of that passion: leading with empathy, fostering innovation, and building a culture where students and teachers thrive. My greatest joy is witnessing the ripple effect of meaningful education. When students are empowered and teachers supported, the whole community flourishes.
2. What is the vision and mission of your school?
At Nirmal Bhartia School, we believe that meaningful education is a lived, immersive process — one that embraces life’s diversity, beauty, and interconnectedness. It involves asking thought-provoking questions, seeking answers, and being inspired to drive change. This calls for a holistic, experiential learning environment that reflects the richness and authenticity of life itself. Rooted in the concept of Aham-Sah–the idea of universal oneness, or ‘I am That ’, our unique pedagogical approach manifests our holistic vision into practice. Central tenets of this approach include: Personalized learning that nurtures each child’s individual strengths (differentiated instruction), collaborative methods that replace passive learning with project-based engagement, a ‘living curriculum’ that extends beyond textbooks to embrace the wholeness of life itself (self-directed, experiential, and holistic learning) and a life-long learning culture that ensures learning continues all day, every day, life-long (Life-long learning, Life skills learning, and Value-based learning).
3. What strategies do you use to support teacher development and professional growth?
At NiBS, teacher development is a thoughtfully curated journey rooted in lifelong learning. Through the Nirmal Pragati initiative, a structured programme to support 21st-century education, new teachers undergo a two-week orientation and are paired with mentors through the Mitr program for smooth professional and cultural integration. Professional development is embedded in the school calendar through regular training, in-service workshops, language sessions, and action research. Teachers review classes, share best practices, and engage in collaborative learning. Initiatives like Pursue Your Passion and Exploring New Horizons encourage creativity and exposure to new ideas. Annual staff awards celebrate excellence, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
4. How do you ensure that students receive a holistic education?
Holistic learning is deeply embedded into school life through thoughtfully curated, interdisciplinary hubs called the Hubs of Holism. For example, Drishti Humanities Hub promotes diverse perspectives through collaborative projects; the Srishti Arts Hub nurtures creativity and emotional intelligence; and the Prakriti STEM Hub sparks innovation through hands-on challenges, such as Together We Can. The Kriya Well-being Hub promotes fitness and teamwork, while practices such as Circle Time, CARE Time, and Quiet Assemblies, Shiksha Themes, SEWA Projects, Disha Trips, Life Skill Advisories, and the SMILE curriculum foster social and emotional learning.
5. What role do parents and the community play in the functioning and growth of your school?
Nirmal Chhaya, our family engagement centre, builds a circle of trust between parents, teachers, and families. The team hosts informal weekend events–heritage walks, cookouts, camps, kite-flying– that allow relaxed, meaningful interactions between teachers and families. A key feature is the annual Learning to Learn workshop, where students and teachers showcase the Aham-Sah way of learning. Subject-specific sessions, such as phonics workshops, are also offered. Seminars on child development, parenting, and conflict management are held, and parents with expertise are invited to contribute.
6. Who has been your biggest influence in your personal or professional life?
Two individuals have profoundly shaped my journey–one from the world of ideas, the other from my family. Rabindranath Tagore’s philosophy of education, rooted in nature, creativity, and freedom, deeply resonated with me. His vision of learning beyond textbooks– nurturing curiosity, spirit, and individuality–continues to guide my belief in joyful, expansive learning spaces. The second influence is my father, who once said, “Everybody exists, but very few truly live. Live a life that becomes a melody.” His quiet strength, integrity, and poetic outlook inspire me to lead and live with authenticity, purpose, and heart.
