Dr. Sarada Chandrasekaran: A Visionary Leader in Education

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and every small achievement adds to the path of greatness.” - Dr. Sarada Chandrasekaran.

Dr. Sarada Chandrasekaran stands as a paragon of educational excellence, currently serving as the Director of Academics at Whitefield Global School and the Principal Consultant of IRA Education & Services. With 42 years of illustrious experience, she is celebrated for her pioneering pedagogical approaches, seamlessly integrating dance, theatre, and sports into education, and for her expertise in developing comprehensive school quality management policies. Additionally, she is recognized for her dedication to training academic leaders and teachers in quality management practices.

Inspirational Beginnings

Inspired by her father, Dr. Chandrasekaran began her teaching journey at the tender age of 17, instructing matriculation students during her Grade XII holidays. Her father’s encouragement in nurturing her teaching and theatrical talents laid the cornerstone for her illustrious career as an educator and leader.

Professional Journey

Dr. Chandrasekaran’s career commenced as a part-time teacher at a neighborhood school, where she quickly grasped the importance of diversity and inclusion. Her tenure at DPS Vizag under Principal Col. Ratnakar further honed her creativity and pedagogical skills. As the Principal of Air Force School, she mastered the significance of protocols and team management. At St. Ann’s, Bangalore, she adeptly managed a diverse student body of 10,000, significantly enhancing her leadership and problem-solving abilities.

Her transformative role at Bharathi Vidyapeeth earned her the Outstanding Educator Gold Award for creative problem-solving. 

The most significant change in her leadership style occurred at Whitefield Global School. This role has brought about a metamorphic change, focusing on objective goal attainment and results. With a focused and supportive management, she adopted Quality Management Processes, reflective practices, goal-oriented planning, process-driven approaches, and stakeholder involvement practices. 

Dr. Chandrasekaran's impact extended beyond the school as she became a NABET assessor, representing the K-12 education domain among thousands of aspiring women educators nationwide. She trained under the prestigious Goldman Sachs-ISB Women Empowerment Program, became the CBSE City Coordinator for the Bangalore East zone, and was elected as Treasurer of BSSCA. Additionally, she served as a Master Trainer for UNESCO and NCERT in the Mental Health program, presented research papers in education, and received numerous accolades for her contributions to the field

In her current role at IRA Education & Services, she crafts customized turnaround strategies, including audits, for schools seeking to enhance their value offerings. She also offers Cambridge Professional Development qualifications for international schools.. This experience has reinforced her belief in the transformative power of genuine teaching- learning.

Challenges and Achievements

Dr. Chandrasekaran views each school as a vibrant, living entity that must be approached holistically. Each institution presents unique challenges, necessitating adaptability to demographic differences and contexts. This holistic perspective has guided all her professional interactions and contributions to the schools she has been affiliated with.

Her myriad achievements, both large and small, have shaped her evolution as a leader. She credits her family for their unwavering support throughout her journey and acknowledges the encouragement from her colleagues and management teams at various institutions.

Awards and Nominations

• Legend of Education 2024 from Edu Leaders
• Outstanding Educator Gold Award for the Mumbai region
• Indian Air Force Commandant's Commendation
• Selected for the Goldman Sachs-ISB Women Empowerment Program
• Profiled on the "It’s a Matter of Principal" website
• "Women of Substance" award from St. Mother Theresa Virtual University
• "Effective Principal of the Year 2020" from Education Today
• Lifetime Achievement Award for contribution to K-12 Education from DK Education
• Eduvisionary Award from Global Triumph Foundation
• Most Experienced Principal from National School Awards

Impact and Vision

Primarily following a transformational leadership style, Dr. Chandrasekaran also adapts servant and democratic dictatorial leadership styles to suit the needs of each school. As the Director of Academics at Whitefield Global School, she serves as a mentor, advisor, and reviewer.

She aims to establish IRA Education & Services as a comprehensive solution provider for schools, empowering school leaders and teachers with effective pedagogical practices and assessment tools. Dr. Chandrasekaran advises today’s youth to embrace teaching as a highly gratifying profession that fosters lifelong learning and commands great respect.

Her future goals include empowering 10,000 school leaders, training 50,000 teachers, and assisting numerous individuals with their academic needs