Sandeep Dixit, Principal of Global Nav Jeewan School in Ankur Vihar, Ghaziabad, brings a visionary approach to education, blending academic rigour with creativity, emotional intelligence, and moral values. In this insightful interview, he shares how his school fosters a dynamic learning environment, nurturing students into well-rounded individuals equipped for the challenges of the modern world.
Q. You describe education as an ongoing adventure. How do you bring this spirit of exploration and growth into everyday school life?
I believe that learning is akin to embarking on an adventure, where new discoveries await daily. I integrate this concept into school life by making learning enjoyable, engaging, and relevant to real-world contexts. I encourage my pupils to ask questions, explore new ideas, and embrace mistakes without fear. I design activities that enable students to investigate, solve problems, and think creatively. Most importantly, I remind students that learning is a journey where every step, however small, contributes to their growth.
Q. How does your school strike a balance between academic excellence and the development of extracurricular and leadership skills?
Our school firmly believes that academic achievement and personal growth are equally important. Therefore, we focus not only on academics but also on nurturing students’ extracurricular and leadership abilities. Teachers provide robust support for academic success through clear instruction, regular assessments, and additional assistance when needed. Concurrently, we offer diverse activities such as sports, music, dance, art, drama, and various clubs, enabling students to pursue their interests and talents. To foster leadership, we engage students in group projects, student councils, event organisation, and competitions. These experiences build confidence, responsibility, and teamwork. We believe a truly successful student excels academically while being a confident communicator, a strong leader, and a responsible individual, which is why we prioritise both academic and holistic development.
Q. With education evolving rapidly, what are some key changes you’ve implemented to meet the demands of modern learners?
Education is transforming rapidly due to new technologies, innovative teaching methods, and the needs of contemporary students. To keep pace, we have implemented several significant changes to better serve modern learners.
First, we have increased the use of digital resources in the classroom. Interactive lessons are enhanced through tablets, smart TV panels, online learning applications, and educational videos, making learning more engaging and accessible.
Second, we place greater emphasis on skill-based learning. Alongside traditional subjects, we help students develop skills such as communication, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, which are essential for real-world success and future careers.
Third, we have adapted our teaching methods. Teachers no longer solely deliver lectures; they act as mentors and facilitators. We employ group discussions, presentations, projects, and practical exercises to make learning relevant and meaningful. We have also introduced robotics, coding, an AI lab, and basic computer education to ensure students remain current with modern technology. Regular workshops and guest lectures expose students to new perspectives and practical expertise.
Finally, we prioritise students’ mental and emotional well-being. We have introduced counselling sessions, mindfulness exercises, and a greater focus on values such as compassion, respect, and self-confidence. Through these changes, we prepare students for life, not just examinations.
Q. What unique strategies do you use to foster emotional intelligence and moral values among your students?
To help students develop emotional intelligence and strong moral values, I employ several effective and engaging strategies. One approach is starting the day with a brief “emotional check-in,” where students share their feelings. This fosters self-awareness and creates a classroom environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Storytelling is another powerful method. I share short stories or real-life scenarios to teach values like honesty, kindness, and responsibility, followed by discussions on how to apply these lessons.
Role-playing is an excellent way to build empathy and decision-making skills. By acting out common social situations, such as handling peer pressure or helping a friend, students learn to respond thoughtfully. I also promote gratitude through activities like maintaining a gratitude journal or writing thank-you notes, encouraging students to focus on positivity and appreciate others’ kindness.
Group work is another key strategy. Collaborative projects teach teamwork, patience, and shared responsibility, with each student given a role to feel valued. To manage conflicts, I teach simple resolution techniques, such as using “I feel” statements to express emotions without blame. Positive behaviour is consistently reinforced through praise or small rewards, like adding a leaf to our “Kindness Tree.” I also teach students emotional vocabulary to articulate feelings like “frustrated,” “proud,” or “nervous” clearly.
Daily mindfulness or breathing exercises help students stay calm and focused, enhancing their ability to manage stress. Finally, I lead by example, showing respect, patience, and accountability. By integrating these meaningful strategies, I create a classroom where emotional and moral developments are as vital as academic learning.
Q. How is physical activity integrated into the school’s curriculum to enhance students’ overall development?
Physical activity is a vital part of the school curriculum, contributing to students’ physical, mental, emotional, and social development. We integrate physical activity in various ways to ensure a balanced and engaging learning experience. Regular Physical Education (PE) lessons include sports, exercises, yoga, and fitness games, which build strength, flexibility, and coordination while teaching teamwork, discipline, and leadership.
Morning assemblies incorporate physical exercises or warm-up routines to energise students for the day. Short “brain breaks” between lessons, involving stretching, dancing, or quick games, help younger students refresh and improve focus. We also organise sports days, competitions, and inter-house tournaments to foster participation and healthy competition, teaching valuable life skills like collaboration, handling success and failure, and setting goals. Dance, martial arts, and aerobics are included to make physical activity creative and enjoyable.
Outdoor activities and field trips connect students with nature and encourage physical engagement beyond the classroom. Recess playtime allows free movement, social interaction, and unstructured play, fostering social skills. By embedding physical activity throughout the school day, we ensure students remain fit, confident, and emotionally balanced, which enhances academic performance. Physical activity is thus a cornerstone of holistic education, nurturing students’ body, mind, and heart.
Q. Your students have excelled in both academics and co-curricular arenas. What factors do you attribute this consistent success to?
Several key factors contribute to our students’ consistent success in academics and co-curricular activities. Firstly, we have a dedicated, motivated, and well-trained team of teachers who guide and inspire students across all domains. They deliver exceptional academic instruction while encouraging participation in sports, arts, music, debates, and other creative pursuits, helping students discover and hone their talents.
Our school is committed to holistic development, fostering a balanced environment where academics and extracurriculars complement each other. Students receive regular opportunities to participate, perform, and improve through well-structured activities and programmes. We provide essential facilities, resources, and training to support excellence in all areas. Strong parental support and positive school-home collaboration also play a crucial role. Additionally, we instil life skills such as time management, teamwork, discipline, and confidence, enabling students to excel, stay motivated, and approach challenges positively. These factors—effective teaching, strong values, supportive parents, and a well-rounded approach—drive our students’ consistent success.
Q. Can you share a recent example where your school’s infrastructure or innovation helped bring out student creativity or excellence?
We are proud of our students’ outstanding achievements in both sports and academics. Our Kabaddi team showcased exceptional skill and coordination, securing first place at the National Level Kabaddi Tournament against strong competition nationwide. This victory reflects their dedication and the high-quality coaching they receive. Additionally, two of our talented female athletes were selected to represent the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), a significant milestone for our sports department.
In academics and innovation, our school’s state-of-the-art AI Lab, equipped with modern tools and resources, has inspired students to explore artificial intelligence. Their efforts were recognised when they won multiple awards in an interschool AI competition, outperforming teams from other schools. These achievements in sports and innovation highlight our school’s commitment to fostering well-rounded students by providing opportunities for excellence across diverse fields.
Q. How do you cultivate leadership qualities among students from a young age?
Cultivating leadership qualities in students from a young age is essential for preparing them to become confident, responsible adults. We employ various strategies to encourage initiative, decision-making, and collaboration. Assigning small roles, such as class monitors or group leaders, allows students to practise organisation, management, and peer guidance, teaching them to lead by example and communicate effectively.
Group projects and team activities foster cooperation, active listening, and collective problem-solving, showing students that good leaders value and support their team. Involving students in age-appropriate decision-making, such as contributing to class rules or event planning, makes them feel valued and teaches critical thinking and responsibility.
Public speaking, debates, and presentations build confidence and communication skills, enabling students to inspire others. Leadership camps, workshops, and activities focus on time management, goal-setting, empathy, and conflict resolution, helping students understand the qualities of effective leadership. Teachers and staff model positive traits like fairness, patience, and compassion, which students emulate.
Recognising leadership efforts, no matter how small, boosts confidence and motivates students to take on greater responsibilities. Through these strategies, we nurture leadership skills early, preparing students to be confident and responsible leaders in school and beyond.
Q. What role do parents play in the education model you practice, and how do you ensure their constructive involvement?
Parents play a pivotal role in our educational model, as we believe collaboration between teachers and parents enhances students’ academic and personal growth. Education extends beyond the classroom, requiring a partnership between school and family. To ensure constructive parental involvement, we maintain regular communication through parent-teacher meetings, school apps, phone calls, and text messages, keeping parents informed about their child’s progress and enabling teachers to gain insights from parental observations.
We invite parents to participate in school events, workshops, and activities like exhibitions, cultural performances, and sports events, fostering a strong school-family bond that supports students. Parent orientation programmes and counselling sessions provide practical guidance on supporting learning at home, managing screen time, and addressing challenges.
We actively seek parental feedback to improve teaching methods and the school environment, ensuring parents feel valued as part of the school community. This partnership promotes better academic outcomes, stronger values, and holistic student development, with parents as active participants in their child’s learning journey.
Q. How do you train and support your teaching staff to deliver not just academic content, but also mentor the emotional and ethical growth of students?
We believe teachers should guide students’ moral and emotional development alongside academic instruction. To achieve this, we provide ongoing training and support. Regular workshops cover classroom management, mental health, emotional intelligence, child psychology, and value education, equipping teachers to understand students’ needs, emotions, and behaviours and respond with sensitivity and patience.
Meetings with counsellors and experts guide teachers on building trust, addressing students’ concerns, and acting as mentors rather than just subject instructors. Teachers learn to recognise signs of distress and support students respectfully. We integrate value-based learning into lessons, encouraging teachers to use real-life scenarios, storytelling, or role-playing to teach values like honesty, kindness, and responsibility. Resources like activity books, videos, and discussion guides support engaging, age-appropriate lessons.
We foster a compassionate school culture where teachers model fairness, respect, and empathy, influencing students to adopt these values. To keep teachers motivated, we provide regular feedback, peer discussions, and mental health support. A supported, confident teacher is better equipped to guide students academically and emotionally.
Q. What is your approach to identifying and nurturing different kinds of intelligence—academic, emotional, artistic, and athletic?
Recognising that intelligence manifests in diverse ways, we strive to identify and nurture each type. Academic intelligence, evident in skills like reading, writing, mathematics, and problem-solving, is supported through engaging resources like books and puzzles tailored to students’ interests. Emotional intelligence, involving self-awareness and empathy, is fostered through group activities, discussions about emotions, and teaching empathy.
Artistic intelligence, seen in creativity through music or drawing, is nurtured by providing access to art supplies, musical instruments, and creative freedom. Athletic intelligence, reflected in sports, dance, or movement-based learning, is encouraged through active participation in sports and hands-on activities. By recognising and supporting each child’s unique strengths, we ensure they grow confidently and joyfully in their areas of talent.
Q. How does your school support students who struggle in traditional academic settings but excel in non-scholastic areas?
Our school recognises that every child has unique talents. Some students may struggle with academic subjects like reading, writing, or mathematics but excel in areas such as sports, music, art, dance, or leadership. We ensure these talents are nurtured through diverse non-scholastic activities, including art and craft, music, dance, drama, and sports. Students have opportunities to shine in competitions, activities, and school programmes.
For those facing academic challenges, we provide additional support and attention while celebrating their achievements in other areas. This builds confidence and motivation. Our goal is to foster holistic development, supporting students’ passions and interests beyond the classroom.
Q. In a results-driven environment, how do you ensure that imagination, intuition, and sensitivity are not overlooked?
In a results-focused environment, it’s easy to prioritise grades and academic performance. However, we ensure imagination, intuition, and sensitivity remain central to a child’s development. We provide ample opportunities for creativity through activities like drawing, painting, music, dance, storytelling, drama, and creative writing, encouraging innovative thinking. Group projects and exercises promote intuitive problem-solving and idea-sharing.
Teachers foster a safe, supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, thinking deeply, and expressing themselves. Through class discussions, moral stories, and value-based lessons, we teach empathy, kindness, and respect. By balancing academic goals with creative and emotional learning, we nurture thoughtful, sensitive, and imaginative individuals.
Q. Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of Global Nav Jeewan School, and the kind of individuals you hope it will shape for the nation?
Our vision for Global Nav Jeewan School is to prepare students for tomorrow by creating an environment where every child thrives in academics, values, creativity, and life skills. We aim to make our school a joyful, safe space for learning, questioning, and skill development. Our goal is to nurture compassionate, confident, and responsible individuals who care for others and strive to improve the world. We aspire to shape young leaders, thinkers, artists, and volunteers who will drive our nation forward with pride, integrity, and progress.
Q. How has your own school experience influenced the way you lead and shape your institution?
My own school experiences have profoundly shaped my leadership at Global Nav Jeewan School. As a student, I encountered both inspiring teachers who encouraged effort and others focused solely on grades, often overlooking students’ concerns. These experiences highlighted the importance of a supportive school environment. Consequently, I strive to create a safe, respectful, and nurturing space where learning is enjoyable, not stressful.
I ensure teachers understand and support students’ needs, fostering growth in academics, sports, arts, and values. Recalling the value of being heard as a student, I encourage our students to share ideas, ask questions, and learn creatively. My experiences guide me to build a school where every child feels happy, confident, and prepared for the future.
Q. How do you balance the demands of school leadership with your personal life and well-being?
Balancing school leadership with personal life and well-being is a priority. Leading Global Nav Jeewan School demands significant time and energy, but I recognise that self-care and family time are equally important. I achieve balance by planning my days carefully, allocating time for work, meetings, and school activities while reserving moments for relaxation, exercise, and family.
Setting clear priorities helps me focus during work hours and unwind afterward. Healthy habits, such as a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and short breaks during busy days, prevent burnout. Activities like reading, walking, or listening to music help me de-stress. Delegating tasks to trusted colleagues ensures I focus on key decisions without feeling overwhelmed.
Ultimately, my well-being enhances my ability to lead effectively. By managing time, maintaining healthy habits, trusting my team, and prioritising self-care, I balance leadership demands with personal health, enabling me to lead with energy and clarity.
Q. What is one book, quote, or philosophy that you live by as an educator and leader?
“The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry has deeply influenced me as an educator and leader. This timeless story reminds us to value kindness, imagination, and understanding beyond surface appearances. It underscores that education extends beyond facts and grades, focusing on nurturing compassionate individuals.
A particularly meaningful quote from the book is: “What is essential is invisible to the eye.” This reminds me to prioritise students’ inner strengths and emotions over mere academic performance. It inspires me to teach with patience and kindness, guiding students to become not only knowledgeable but also empathetic individuals who make a positive impact on the world.
Sandeep Dixit’s leadership at Global Nav Jeewan School reflects a commitment to holistic education, where academic excellence, emotional intelligence, and moral values converge to shape compassionate and capable individuals. His vision ensures that students are prepared not only for examinations but for life, contributing meaningfully to society with creativity, confidence, and integrity.
