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Ed Leader – Madhavi Agrawal, Cygnus World School, Vadodara

Education is an integral part of a child’s upbringing. We, at Curious Times, have made it our aim to ensure that we also play an active role in imparting the right knowledge to all the Curious children. As such, we also try to ensure that we are always in touch with the leaders in education today and learning from them. After all, it is important to learn from the best.

So, today, we present to you a one-on-one conversation with Madhavi Agrawal. She is the Founder of Cygnus World School, Vadodara. Designed by some of the nation’s best architects and pedagogists, Cygnus world school is a new-age, co-educational school that believes in the importance of nourishing the multiple intelligences of each child so that they can lead a personally rewarding, socially engaged and professionally successful life.

Here is a short excerpt of the one-on-one conversation of Madhavi Agrawal with Deepti Beri, Director at Curious Times. Also, watch the full video of the conversation at the end of this excerpt.

When did you decide to step into the world of education? What motivated you to become an Educator? My grandfather, family always believed in the importance of education and giving back to society. My passion as a young person was sports and children too. So, while I have a background in finance, with tremendous support from my family, especially my father, we were able to set up the school and now I am doing what I love. The teaching, the children, the education, it’s really my passion.

Share some of the challenges you have faced in your career journey. How did you convert those challenges into the pillars of success? In changing career paths, the first step is the most difficult. But I was very lucky that I had my father’s support. My father and I travelled around the world visiting different types of schools, understanding what to do. We used what we learned into creating this school and its values. Team building was also another challenge. But our hearts were in the right place and with a strong team, we were able to overcome challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic situation. It was initially quite a challenge and we didn’t have the set up to switch to online mode immediately. We experimented with a few modes, and while that took some tries, we could do it. While I have always wanted to switch to a more technological setup. Without the pandemic, it would have taken us about 10 more years. Parents later reached out to us, with their appreciation and many teachers are also well-trained now.

Share your message with the aspiring teachers and leaders of tomorrow. As a school, we believe that you must create leaders. A good leader must create leaders. Leadership skills are transferable as long as you have some base skills. The most important thing is that your heart must be in the right place and you need to have passion. Secondly, as a leader, you have to be able to manage people; in your school, your colleagues, co-teachers, students. Moreover, you also need to be a good communicator, in a clear manner and have a clear thinking process. All these can make you a very successful leader. Of course, you may make mistakes but you have to own up to them and move on.

Technology in teaching. Technologically is not taking the load away from teachers, but you have to view the role differently. While information is so easily available today, as a teacher, you have to move beyond stuffing information to its application.

Share your message for your and Curious Times students. In this overwhelming world, try to find something that makes you happy. Find ways to learn the skills to turn what makes you happy into a profession. Don’t give in to the pressure of technology, as it’s very lonely. Be proud of your values and try to stay healthy too.

I can say with pride that we work towards bringing more happiness to our children and when students leave our campus, they are Happy.

Madhavi Agrawal, Founder

Cygnus World School, Vadodara

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