Mary Shanti Priya has been honoured multiple times for the innovative practices she introduced in her school. Universal Mentors Association and Brainwonders recognised her as the Principal of the Year, 2023. She has been featured as Top 10 Best Women in Education 2023 by the Women Entrepreneur Magazine. Shanti Priya is an excellent debater. She has strived to nurture the creative potential of her students and has driven exceptional results during her professional journey.
Mary Shanti Priya believes that an educator’s foremost duty is to empower a learner to achieve his or her potential on their own terms, with their own merit. She also believes in Nelson Mandela’s saying “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.
She has initiated skill education in her school in collaboration with Maulana Azad National Urdu University – MANUU. The initiative encourages students of Grade 9-12 to learn sustainability skills related to electrical and electronics – AC, refrigeration; plumbing, civil draftsman and so on. The school has built a Maker Space Lab that provides facilitates for making, learning, exploring and sharing the uses of high technology to no-technology tools. Working on such tools together as a team promotes collaborative work and instils teamwork within students. Children also design models using paper in the form of paper engineering, Arduino 3D printing, and similar activities that stimulate their creativity and thinking skills.
It is essential that students are introduced to financial nitty-gritties from an early stage. At Vista International School, this is ensured through sessions on financial literacy for Grade 3-5 students. When they move to Grade 6, students are further introduced to the Entrepreneurship Program. It teaches students basic life skills like problem solving, innovative thinking, teamwork, and helps enhance skills required for addressing contemporary situations. Inter-house competitions are organized every month to hone 21st century skills in students. It also gives them a platform to experience and nurture their literary, creative and artistic skills.
Change can be daunting but inevitable. Hard work can seem intimidating, but it is non-negotiable. Anyone who wishes to be a part of this institution cannot look for comfort and mundanity. At Vista International School emphasis is laid to create conditions that empowers teachers not just with professional development & training but also remunerating them suitably with the best pay package in the country. It helps motivate teachers to take up this profession with the passion and commitment that this noble calling deserves. As teachers are the architects of modern civilisation, it is time we provide them with the tools and resources required to build a better future for the world.
The school has built a Maker Space Lab that provides facilitates for making, learning, exploring and sharing the uses of high technology to no-technology tools
