Lucknow: More than 40 teachers were felicitated at the Times Teacher’s Day celebration by The Times of India and Navbharat Times, recognising educators who are changing the way children learn, participate and dream.From crowded classrooms and irregular attendance to the growing influence of technology and AI, these teachers are finding new ways to meet students where they are. A teacher of the Primary School, Matiala Razapur, Ghaziabad Priyanka Rastogi said, “For many children, the first challenge is simply coming to school regularly. We are building a culture of attendance through WhatsApp groups, mobile learning, digital libraries and the NIPUN app. After 24 years of teaching, I have seen that when we change the way we reach children, they begin to change the way they approach school.”A teacher at Primary School, Bhandaro, Gorakhpur, Shazia Bano said that managing three classes in a single room remains a challenge, but has also pushed her to find creative ways of teaching. She visits students’ homes, engages with parents, shares videos of students speaking on different topics through WhatsApp groups and celebrates their small achievements. Seeing their children speak confidently helps parents develop a sense of pride and greater trust in govt school education.At Basic Vidyalaya Saraiyan BKT, Lucknow, Niharika Srivastava has focused on regular attendance and stronger parental engagement. Smart classes, AI-based learning, free stationery and the mid-day meal are helping make the school environment more engaging and encouraging children to attend regularly.A teacher at Primary School Deepapur, Sarsaul, Kanpur Road, Anjali Verma uses student portfolios during parent-teacher meetings to demonstrate learning beyond marks. Assignments, oral activities and workbook exercises allow parents to see their children’s progress closely, making their development more visible and tangible.At Composite School, Purva Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Chaloar, Gorakhpur, Mohammad Ali uses unconventional methods to take learning beyond the classroom. Field visits and teamwork activities help students learn through experience, while smart classes, ICT labs and digital libraries give them access to resources and opportunities beyond their immediate surroundings.At Jai Narain Misra PG College, Assistant Professor Shriza Rai is adapting her teaching methods to the age of AI. Instead of relying only on conventional assignments, she conducts question-and-answer rounds with every student and uses short, handwritten 10-minute assignments to assess individual understanding. She also directs students towards international journals and original research sources, encouraging them to read, verify information and develop independent thinking rather than depending on AI-generated answers.A teacher, Uchchya Prathmik Vidyalaya, Payagpur, Bahraich, Nawal Kumar Pathak said, “The private-versus-govt school narrative is changing. Parents are looking at learning outcomes, Bal Vatika and technology.”The event was sponsored by Central Square Foundation, MI Group, Tiwari Tutorials, Union Bank of India, Seth MR Jaipuria School, Vrindavan Yojana, The Millennium School, Tanishq – A Tata Product, The Pillars Public School, Civil Lines Gorakhpur and AISSHPRA Gems and Jewels.The felicitation brought together educators and academic leaders from across Uttar Pradesh, recognising their contribution to transforming education and shaping young minds. The honoured educators included Prof Arvind Mohan, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Lucknow University; Anurag Pandey, Associate Professor, Kamla Nehru Institute of Physical and Social Sciences, Sultanpur, Shriza Rai, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Shri Jai Narain Misra PG College. along with Devendra Kumar Tiwari, Vinod Kumar Maurya, Anjali Verma, Viddya Prabhat, Priyanka Rastogi, Daisy Sharma, Anuradha Verma, Nawal Kumar Pathak, Purna Prakash Singh, Awadhesh Kumar Mishra, Neeta Yadav, Shyamkash, Pradeep Kumar Verma, Anjali Saxena, Khursheed Ahmed, Niharika Srivastava, Sobhit Kumar Dixit, Shazia Bano, Yogendra Kumar Pandey and Bhavya Singh.The list also included Aashrita Dass, S Browne, A Masih, Swati Kohli, Ayushi Arora, Sachin Dubey, Poonam Arora, Aarti Bajpai, Bineeta, Shubham Mishra, Pawan Maddhesiya and Shobhit Sushant, who were recognised for their dedication to teaching and their efforts to create more inclusive, engaging and future-ready learning environment.
