In our efforts to help non-profits and educational institutions, we often encounter inspired individuals who are thought leaders in harnessing the power co-creation. Today TapSmack is profiling Ms. Sangeeta Sheel, Administrator for Columba’s School Middle School in Delhi.

“I wanted to raise our academic standards but I wanted it done in an atmosphere of joy”

Her Story

The Christian Brother’s at St. Columba’s School have always had a policy of empowering more lay people to run their schools. Every few years, the Brothers selected an innovative administrator to lead the school into the next phase of growth. In 2002, Ms. Sangeeta Sheel, a highly respected math teacher, was chosen by the Brothers to lead St. Columba’s.

Ms. Sheel has been an exemplary leader of St. Columba’s, and a worthy successor to the St. Columba’s long line of top administrators. Under her guidance, numerous innovations were introduced to the school. Her guiding principle has been to create a holistic curriculum that teaches not only academics, but also values and activities that contribute to a well rounded development of the young men at St. Columba’s. An example of the enhanced learning experience introduced by Ms. Sheel, is the creation of an enhanced value education of which Justice Education and Peace Education services as the basis of the value system in the middle section. Two periods per class per week are allotted for what is seen as the most vital and ethical part of the learning process.

Another innovation is the introduction of clubs of every kind that allows the students to explore a number of their talents. Once a week the last two periods are given over to club activities. These include dance, classical singing, drama, indoor games and a host of other hobbies and activities. These contribute greatly to all rounded development of the boys at St. Columba’s.

Innovations in Co-Creation

One of the most innovative of Ms. Sheel’s leadership is the development and introduction of cooperative learning to the students at St. Columba’s. The world is getting flatter and the distances between countries shorter. Today’s young men need an education in cooperation and collaboration to compete in tomorrow’s highly competitive and highly distributed knowledge industries.

TapSmack has been working with Ms. Sheel to empower the students at St. Columba’s by donating our platform for the education of St. Columba’s students. By using the TapSmack platform, the educators at St. Columba’s empowers students to co-create, collaborate, and exchange ideas on a number of collaborative projects such as the creation of artwork and music. The TapSmack platform democratizes the design process and gives each student an equal opportunity to shine. This allows all students, even the shy ones to participate in this unique learning experience provided only at St. Columba’s.

Most importantly these collaborative cooperative learning experience positions the students well to succeed in the work world of tomorrow. Many organizations have multinational teams that span the globe. The scientist, doctors, and engineers of future must be able to collaboratively with their peers all across the world. Thanks to Sangeeta’s foresight, the students at St. Columba’s now have a head start in that department.