Teacher Recognition

Since 2017, Quest Alliance has partnered with state governments to identify and celebrate educators who are transforming learning, while creating pathways for them to grow as mentors, leaders, and champions of change.

Educators in public schools are at the heart of meaningful change in education. They are constantly finding creative ways to respond to everyday challenges, yet these efforts often go unnoticed. Our Teacher Recognition Strategy was introduced in schools to bring teacher-led innovation into the spotlight and celebrate the people behind meaningful change.

At a time when sustaining teacher motivation remains one of the key challenges within the government school ecosystem, recognition plays a critical role in affirming educators’ efforts, strengthening their sense of purpose, and encouraging continued innovation and leadership within schools and communities. When teachers are recognised and connected to opportunities for learning and leadership, their impact extends far beyond individual classrooms.

The initiative began in Bihar, where more than 300 schools participated in the first round of nominations, laying the foundation for a growing culture of appreciation and visibility.Teachers are identified through a rigorous and collaborative process that includes self-nominations, classroom observations, engagement data, rubrics, and selection processes co-created with government stakeholders. Government officials have also played an important role as jury members, validators, strengthening the credibility and ownership of the initiative.

Educators have been recognised for diverse innovative practices such as using technology creatively to engage parents, working towards drop-outs and retention, introducing learner centred pedagogies, challenging gender stereotypes, strengthening student leadership and participation, and taking initiatives in community and school-level activities.

By making these practices visible, the initiative encourages educators across the system to learn from one another and adapt successful ideas within their own contexts.

Beyond recognition

Educators who are recognised become a part of a growing network of peers committed to continuous learning and leadership. . Through webinars, WhatsApp groups, learning forums, conferences, exposure visits, they build a community of practice, exchanging ideas and contributing to wider and deeper conversations on education. 

Over time, this pathway has also helped nurture a Master Trainers’ cadre, known as Netrutava, emerging from among these recognised teachers. This cadre is playing an important role in leading peer learning, strengthening teacher leadership, and creating a more sustainable pathway for change within the system.

Impact

Across the 9 states where Quest Alliance has worked with government schools, more than 3,000 educators have been recognised since 2017. Many of the educators have been provided opportunities to deepen their learning, strengthen leadership, and build peer networks through seminars, research symposiums, communities of practice, and cross-state exposure visits.

In 2024, four educators from different states participated in research symposiums on Transforming Educational Systems at Scale for 21st Century Skills: Ensuring Equity Amidst Change. Additionally, 8–10 educators and government officials engaged in platforms such as Quest 2 Learn and Hack to the Future, where they shared insights, exchanged practices, and interacted with diverse civil society partners.

For me, recognition has been a continuous journey, not a one-time event. From small acknowledgements of our efforts in reducing dropouts through initiatives like Bal Sansad and student engagement, to being honoured with the Mukhyamantri Siksha Ratan Puraskar in 2020, each moment mattered. Most meaningful was the community’s recognition, as parents came together to support our learning app during COVID-19.”

-Saurav Kumar, Principal (Upgraded Middle School Laguniya Suryakanth, Samastipur, Bihar)

The initiative has also enabled experiential learning opportunities for educators. Around 120 educators from three states visited innovative learning spaces including Aavishkaar – Centre for Science, Maths, Arts & technology in Palam, Himachal Pradesh; Amazon Makers Space in Bangalore, Karnataka; and the Innovation Hub at IIT Dhanbad to explore new approaches to teaching, learning, and innovation.

This recognition brings me a deep sense of pride, joy, and responsibility. It is not only an acknowledgment of my efforts so far, but also a strong motivation to continue working with greater dedication in the future. 

-Nikitaben Bhavinkumar Mistry 

(Gokulpura Primary School, Sanand, Ahmedabad)

At its heart, the Recognition Strategy is about more than celebrating educators. It is about creating a culture where good practice is seen, shared, and multiplied across the system.