Field of Study India: Science

Neel Kamal Mishra

Dr. Neel Kamal Mishra is a secondary school science educator teaching at a government school in Delhi. Originally from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Mishra has over 27 years of experience to the field of education. His students come from underprivileged families, many of whom are the children of daily wage workers. He transforms complex science concepts into interesting, engaging, and accessible lessons that resonate with his students’ lives.

His academic background is both diverse and profound, holding a Ph.D. in History, a B.Sc., and an M.A. in Education. This unique interdisciplinary foundation allows him to approach science pedagogy with a broad intellectual perspective, blending scientific inquiry with educational theory.
Dr. Mishra is a recipient of the Delhi State Award, an honor reflecting his excellence in teaching and commitment to student welfare. Beyond the classroom, he is the editor of a science magazine and a mentor and guide for student-led e-magazines across the state.

Through the FTEA program, Dr. Mishra is exploring how the U.S. and other participating countries integrate innovative science teaching methods that foster curiosity, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills among students. He is committed to fostering an environment of curiosity and critical thinking, ensuring that every learner — regardless of their socio-economic background — has the opportunity to excel in the world of science.

GAGANDEEP KAUR

Dr. Gagandeep Kaur has been teaching science at a government school in Sensra Kalan, Amritsar for nine years. She has a PhD in computer supported cooperative learning from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She works closely with underprivileged learners, striving to make science education accessible and meaningful for all students.

She is actively involved in several national-level educational initiatives, including the NISHTHA program, National Achievement Survey (NAS), Ayushman Bharat Project, and has contributed by recording lectures for the DIKSHA and the NCERT e-PG Pathshala Project. She has participated in national-level workshops conducted by reputed organizations such as CSE, AAETI, Nimli, IIT Bombay, IISc Bengaluru, and NCERT, New Delhi, and presented research papers at national and international conferences and published her work in reputed journals and edited books.

She serves as a resource person and a Block mentor for various STEM seminars, environmental and adolescent training programs, playing a significant role in mentoring educators and school heads. She has acted as an evaluator in the INSPIRE-MANAK program and the RAA science exhibitions. She has received several awards, including the Best Teacher Award, Best TLM Award, and received appreciation certificates from the Honorary Education Secretary, Punjab, in recognition of her efforts in enhancing the quality of education.

Through the Fulbright TEA program, she intends to learn new pedagogical skills and wants to share her knowledge with the whole community of teachers globally for fostering curiosity and critical thinking among young learners across the world.

Tripti Sharma

Ms. Tripti Sharma is a dedicated PGT biology teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya IIP, Dehradun, where she imparts her knowledge and passion for biology to urban class students. With a postgraduate degree in zoology, she possesses a strong academic foundation that enriches her teaching methodology.

In addition to her teaching role, Tripti is a trained counsellor from NCERT. She has actively engaged in counselling both students and adults as a regular Manodarpan counsellor. Her efforts extend beyond individual support; she has contributed to educational discussions by delivering insightful talks during Sahyog and Paricharcha sessions organized by NCERT. Tripti’s multifaceted approach to education, combining biological sciences with mental well-being, highlights her commitment to nurturing holistic development among her students.

Tripti views her participation in the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program as a transformative opportunity. She is being exposed to innovative teaching methodologies, advanced instructional strategies, and effective integration of technology in the classroom. By engaging with educators from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, she is acquiring a global perspective on education and building lasting networks for collaboration. Tripti is excited to immerse herself in U.S. educational practices and culture, while also sharing her own rich experiences and traditions. She sees the program as a chance to strengthen her teaching skills, contribute meaningfully to her school and community upon her return, and grow as an educator committed to fostering excellence in her field.

Sonaleeca Das

Ms. Sonaleeca Das is a science teacher at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Tenughat of Bokaro district in the state of Jharkhand. She has been teaching science to middle-school learners for eighteen years. She has an integrated bachelor’s degree in science and education from Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar.

She is actively involved in planning and organizing science exhibitions, exposure visits to science centres, mentor talks, and workshops on nurturing design thinking among the middle-grade learners for their successful participation in national-level science competitions. In 2016 she received the Navodaya National Incentive Award for her contributions in the field of teaching learning in one of the remote north-eastern regions of India.

During her participation in the Fulbright DAI program, Sonaleeca plans to explore methods to nurture, develop, and scaffold reflection as a skill among the middle-school learners in science. She believes that the skill of reflection should help the current generation of learners to listen to their internal voice, to make meaning of their experiences and develop the ability to receive comments, suggestions, evaluations, and feedback. The learning and findings from her project will guide her to redesign the experiential learning process in her school. She plans to disseminate learnings from this project through research publications and workshops with fellow teachers.

Bhavna Sawnani

Ms. Bhavna Sawnani is Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the head office of the Directorate of Education, Delhi and Lecturer of Biology. With master’s degrees in zoology, education, and English, Ms. Sawnani has worked in the field of education for the past 21 years and as a mentor teacher for six years.

During her tenure as a teacher, she worked on several science projects and her models were recognized at the state level for their innovative approach. She was awarded the State Teachers’ Award – Delhi and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Award for her significant contributions in the field of education. Ms. Sawnani is Editor of Dilli Shiksha magazine and quarterly school science magazine; in-charge of the social media team of the Delhi Directorate of Education and alumni projects; and coordinator of all delegates from India and abroad. She has also represented Delhi at several international conferences and has served as a panelist in several educational programs. As a mentor teacher, Ms. Sawnani observed her colleagues’ classes, offered feedback for improvement, conducted staff meetings and workshops for teachers, developed curriculum for the Delhi Board of Education, and designed several books.

During her Fulbright TEA program, Ms. Sawnani is learning pedagogical tools used by teachers to make classrooms accessible and inclusive. She further intends to work with parents of children with disabilities and bring them together as a community. She aims to disseminate insights gained from her stay in the U.S. to parents and teachers in her communities back home.

Rinchen Angmo

At the Ladakh Public School in Leh, Ms. Rinchen Angmo oversees the science department and serves as the high school coordinator. In her present role, she works as student-mentor and teacher-trainer and designs lesson plans and other pedagogical tools. She has a bachelor’s in science and education and a master’s in plant biotechnology.

Ms. Angmo is a member of VIBHA (Vijnana Bharati) and works relentlessly to propagate the participation of students from Ladakh in science and technology competitions and seminars. She is also a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and has attended workshops to change the science teaching-learning methodologies practiced in schools for decades.

Through her participation in the Fulbright TEA program, Ms. Angmo is looking forward to expanding her pedagogical knowledge and skills by interacting with a global network of teachers. She is determined to empower the teachers in her community through her global exposure. She aims to take forward her belief in “compassion in education” for the holistic development of students.