Kalyani Priyadarshini, a dedicated educator with 12 years of experience at Ratna Prabha Govt. Primary School. Growing up inspired by her father, a devoted school teacher, Kalyani has always aspired to instill the same love for learning in her students. She believes that a strong foundation in early education is essential, particularly for students in classes 1, 2 and 3. ‘Foundation learning is the base for kids. If they do not learn Hindi and English alphabets at the primary level, it will become very tough for them to read words in higher classes, like 4 and 5,’ she says, highlighting the importance of early literacy.

Kalyani is passionate about making learning both engaging and effective, recognizing that children today often have limited opportunities to play. ‘Learning in classes through fun activities, songs and games not only helps them learn but also makes the whole process much more interesting for students,’ she explains. She emphasizes the value of visual elements like placards, stickers and toys, combined with traditional speaking techniques and rhymes, as they provide children with a deeper understanding of language and context. By linking these visuals with alphabets, students can more easily build their vocabulary and form new words.

Reflecting on her professional growth, Kalyani credits the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) training for transforming her teaching approach. ‘Before FLN training, the use of TLM was pretty useless; but now, with the help of different tools, print-rich materials and the concept of breaking words, it really helps the kids a lot,’ she says. Her dedication to implementing these modern techniques has made her a role model for others, showing that even small changes in teaching strategies can have a significant impact on students’ learning outcomes. Kalyani’s commitment to nurturing young minds ensures that her students not only learn effectively but also develop a genuine love for learning.