Учительница биологии из Бангалора включена в список лауреатов Национальной премии для педагогов 2026 года

When Radha Rajesh teaches Parkinson’s disease, growth hormones or traumatic brain injuries, her classroom rarely stops at the textbook. She connects biology with real people and stories, helping students understand complex concepts through experiences they can relate to. That approach has now earned Rajesh, a biology teacher and Head of Department at New Horizon Public School, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, a place among the 48 teachers selected for the National Teachers’ Award 2026. She is representing the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). President Droupadi Murmu will present the awards at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on September 5, Teachers’ Day. For Rajesh, the recognition is less about a single honour and more about a teaching philosophy built around curiosity, questioning and making science relevant to everyday life. “Whenever I walk into a classroom, I carry one thought with me - my job is not just to explain a concept; it is to make students fall in love with the subject,” she said. National Teachers’ Award 2026: How Radha Rajesh brings biology to life Rajesh uses real-world examples to help students move beyond memorising definitions. While explaining the nervous system and synaptic connections, she has discussed her father’s experience with Parkinson’s disease. Lessons on traumatic brain injuries have included the skiing accident involving former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher. Similarly, when teaching the pituitary gland and growth hormone, she introduces students to footballer Lionel Messi’s childhood experience with growth hormone deficiency. For Rajesh, these examples are not distractions from the curriculum. They are a way of helping students understand why a scientific concept matters beyond an examination. “If I can make a child look at the human body with wonder, connect science with life, develop a research mindset and leave the classroom thinking about how they can contribute to society, I feel I have truly done my job,” she said. She believes genuine success is visible when students begin researching independently, ask questions with confidence or consider how scientific knowledge could be used to help others. From a family of teachers to National Teachers’ Award 2026 Teaching was already part of Rajesh’s family life while she was growing up. Her grandfather, mother, aunt and uncle were all teachers, and she watched them work with students and encourage their curiosity. Before entering the profession herself, Rajesh volunteered to teach underprivileged children in her community. Those interactions helped her recognise the impact that a teacher can have when a difficult idea suddenly becomes understandable to a child. She eventually decided to pursue teaching professionally after a conversation during a parent-teacher interaction involving her son. Rajesh joined New Horizon Public School in May 2014 and went on to become a biology teacher, mentor and Head of Department. She credits the school's management, Principal Anupama Sethi, her colleagues, students and parents for giving her the freedom to experiment with different approaches and develop as an educator. Technology, AI and a different approach to science education Rajesh also uses technology to make biology more accessible to students growing up in a highly digital environment. Her classroom includes animations, simulations, virtual laboratories, smart boards, interactive quizzes and AI-enabled resources. She combines these tools with project-based learning, hands-on activities, field trips and problem-solving exercises. Her approach aligns with the emphasis on experiential and differentiated learning under the National Education Policy 2020. However, Rajesh believes technology should support rather than replace independent thinking. “I believe AI should not replace human thinking; it should amplify creativity, curiosity and deeper enquiry,” she said. She wants students to do more than find information online. They should learn to question it, analyse evidence and decide whether information is reliable. The National Teachers’ Award 2026 is also the latest recognition in Rajesh’s teaching career. She won the Teachers’ Insight Award conducted by the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO, in 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026, securing first place each time. She also received the Educator of Excellence Award in 2023. Earlier, in 1996-97, she received a Biotechnology Scholarship from the Government of India’s Department of Biotechnology for academic merit and an interest in biotechnology. Beyond awards, Rajesh says some of her most meaningful recognition has come from former students. Some have gone on to become doctors, researchers and professionals and later returned to tell her how her teaching influenced their relationship with biology. She also runs a YouTube channel, “Radha Rajesh - Biology Beyond the Classroom”, where she shares biology videos and shorts. As she prepares to receive the National Teachers’ Award, Rajesh hopes her students remember something more personal than the honour. She wants them to remember the conversations, questions, laughter and stories that made biology feel connected to life. “Years from now, I hope my students remember me as their teacher who believed in them,” she said. For a teacher whose own journey was shaped by educators in her family, that belief has become central to her work. Her aim is simple: make students feel seen, encourage them to stay curious and help them recognise possibilities they may not yet see in themselves. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated! Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend. Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.