“Bijal ma'am is not only an educator, but also a guiding light and a strong community leader. I have worked with her as a Jury member during a competition she is spearheading for the past 9 years, Innovative Product and Marketing Competition (IPMC) 2017. During and after the competition, I was amazed by how she inspires leadership through action! Polite, firm, reliable and dependable, she has been a go-to person for anyone connected with the competition directly or indirectly. I’m glad to have worked with Bijal ma'am and I give her my full recommendation.”
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Society often equates luxury with opulent cars, designer clothes, and extravagant lifestyles. However, true luxury lies in the simple, often…
Society often equates luxury with opulent cars, designer clothes, and extravagant lifestyles. However, true luxury lies in the simple, often…
Shared by Bijal Damani
Experience
Education
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Sister Nivedita School
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Licenses & Certifications
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Mentor of Change
Atal Innovation Mission
Issued ExpiresCredential ID 27011180 -
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Certified Trainer for Cambridge Diploma for Teachers and Trainers
Cambridge Assessment International Education
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Volunteer Experience
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Judge for Wharton Reimagine Education Award
The Wharton School
- Present 5 years 2 months
Education
Reimagine Education is a global education awards program and elite educational forum receiving applications from top universities and tech companies about reimagining and redefining education in innovative manner. The winner receives $50000 prize money to take its innovation further. The program is hosted by Wharton University, QS and The Alfred West Jr. Learning Lab.
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Judging the Award Categories
ISTE
- 10 years 1 month
Education
Being a Outstanding Teacher Award Winner myself in the year 2011, I have been invited to Judge the same category from the year 2012 till present. I get to virtually meet many amazing educators doing wonderful work in their classroom.
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Global Empatico Connector
Empatico
- Present 5 years 7 months
Education
Empatico is a free tool for teachers to connect their classrooms with other classrooms around the world through live video and activities designed to foster empathy among children aged 6-11.
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Mentor at Gandhinagar Chapter
Startup Weekend
- Present 7 years 7 months
Education
Startup Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs. Beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business plan development, and basic prototype creation, Startup Weekends culminate in Sunday night demos and presentations. Participants create working startups during the event and are able to collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their daily networks. All teams hear talks…
Startup Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs. Beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business plan development, and basic prototype creation, Startup Weekends culminate in Sunday night demos and presentations. Participants create working startups during the event and are able to collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their daily networks. All teams hear talks by industry leaders and receive valuable feedback from local entrepreneurials. The weekend is centered around action, innovation, and education. Whether you are looking for feedback on a idea, a co-founder, specific skill sets, or a team to help you execute, Startup Weekends are the perfect environment in which to test your idea and take the first steps towards launching your own startup.
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Mentor
Startup Weekend
- Present 6 years 2 months
Education
Startup Weekend Youth is program where youths from different institutions and universities build their company in marathon 54 hours journey from scratch.
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Mentor at iCreate India
EarthX
- Present 5 years 4 months
Environment
EarthX ( https://earthx.org ) is a US based non-profit organisation, one of the largest in the world, focused on environmental awareness and education. The EarthX Expo is its flagship program, and this edition the EarthX Expo 2019 on the 27th and 28th of April 2019 will be held in Dallas, Texas, and concurrently, brought exclusively to India by iCreate.
This hackathon's theme was Water: its conservation, its purification, the ocean, lakes and rivers. -
Advisory Board Member for Empowered Learner Magazine
ISTE
- Present 5 years 3 months
Education
Empowered Learners is a quarterly magazine for all its members. The job of the Advisory Board is to bring the latest and useful EdTech topics to be covered in the Magazine for the benefit of all the members.
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Judge
The Times Of India
- Present 9 months
Education
Was invited to Judge Times of India Public Speaking Contest
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Resource Specialist
National Council Of Educational Research And TrainingÊ(Ncert)
Education
Sharing Journey of National Awardee Teacher on Television
Publications
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ASCD Education Update' In Classroom with Bijal Damani'
ASCD, USA
My column ' In Classroom With Bijal Damani' ran in ASCD Education Update from July 2010 to July 2011. It was a column by Invitation. Variety of topics concerning education from - Need of Homework to Bullying to Teacher Burnout were covered.
Projects
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TED Ed Club
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Thousands of young people around the world have shared their Big Ideas with TED-Ed Clubs. These are a few of TED-Ed's favorite talks from talented youth speakers in all corners of the globe.
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Galaxy Bazaar
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As a Commerce teacher, I believe it is my job to introduce students to the concept of Social Entrepreneurship, Business Ethics and CSR at this impressionable age in order to have a responsible society, entrepreneurs and citizens of tomorrow. A Social Entrepreneurship initiative where students get to learn real business. The Bazaar is set up before Diwali and goods from the wholesalers and manufacturers are taken on credit sale or return basis. The local, national and multinational companies…
As a Commerce teacher, I believe it is my job to introduce students to the concept of Social Entrepreneurship, Business Ethics and CSR at this impressionable age in order to have a responsible society, entrepreneurs and citizens of tomorrow. A Social Entrepreneurship initiative where students get to learn real business. The Bazaar is set up before Diwali and goods from the wholesalers and manufacturers are taken on credit sale or return basis. The local, national and multinational companies provide sponsorship in form of product display, banners, free samples etc.
The net profits generated are donated to provide free education to under privileged children in the community. Till 2016, we have managed to generate nearly INR 1,50,00,000 (Approximately $ 2,50,000) and have provided the equal educational opportunities to many girls from underprivileged section of the community. At the moment , we are supporting 300 girls.
The uniqueness of this project is - it is a win-win project. One one hand it is bridging the social gap - on the other hand it is training the future entrepreneurs who are not only profit driven but are driven by 'Development of all' concept.
Official Site of Galaxy Bazaar : www.galaxybazaar.in -
Innovative Product and Marketing Competition
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Innovative Product and Marketing Project is an annual competition for Grade 11-12 students of The Galaxy Education System which leads to preparing students for 21st century. Students research and analyze the community, spot a problem and solve that problem by innovating a product which is socially useful and brings a smile on the face of people. Not only that, students also create a complete marketing plan - a newspaper and magazine advertisement, radio jingle, television advertisement, website…
Innovative Product and Marketing Project is an annual competition for Grade 11-12 students of The Galaxy Education System which leads to preparing students for 21st century. Students research and analyze the community, spot a problem and solve that problem by innovating a product which is socially useful and brings a smile on the face of people. Not only that, students also create a complete marketing plan - a newspaper and magazine advertisement, radio jingle, television advertisement, website etc Students present their innovative product ideas to an audience consisting of students, teachers, parents and industry experts.
Honors & Awards
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Empatico Kindness Champion Fellowship
Empatico
Empathy is the art of seeing the world the way someone else sees it. Empatico offers students the chance to meet peers from around the world and engage in experiences that spark curiosity, kindness, and empathy. Throughout this fellowship opportunity, students explored different ways to be kind with a partner classroom while igniting acts of kindness in their school communities.
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IB Hub Super 30 Teachers
IBHubs Talent Accelerator and Super 30 Movie
30 Teachers were recognised from 30,000 application received to identify the Super Teachers working in classrooms to make this world a better place.
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BETT Asia Game Changer Award Shortlisted
BETT Asia
Bett Asia is the region's leading education conference and expo taking place on 12 - 13 March 2019 at the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur. The Bett Asia Leadership Summit and Expo brings together senior decision makers, leading innovators and government officials, along with school leaders, educators and tech specialists from 40+ countries, making this a truly global event.
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UNESCO Wenhui Award shortlisted Finalist 2018
UNESCO
For 2018, the theme of the Wenhui Award was Innovations in School, Family and Community Collaboration for Quality Education. It is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 4 - Education 2030 Agenda to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, as well as UNESCO’s vision of education to provide and enhance quality learning opportunities particularly to those most disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalized.
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UNESCO MGIEP 360 Degrees of KINDNESS AWARD 2018
UNESCO MGIEP
UNESCO MGIEP is initiating the International Youth Campaign on Kindness for the Sustainable Development Goals. The purpose of this Campaign is to mobilize the world’s youth to achieve the 17 SDGs through transformative acts of kindness. Project Galaxy Bazaar by Bijal Damani and her students has been recognized as the winner in the category.
http://mgiep.unesco.org/article/the-second-winner-of-360-degrees-of-kindness-bijal-damani-educator-and-founder-of-galaxy-project -
UN TeachSDG Teacher Ambassador
UNESCO TeachSDG
To help reach our goal of actively supporting and enhancing the work of the United Nations' efforts within K-12 classrooms, our TeachSDGs organization contributes to the 2030 Agenda in the following ways:
We connect with global educators dedicated to responding to a call to action within education to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
We point to open and accessible resources, lessons plans, and global projects directly aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals.
We advance…To help reach our goal of actively supporting and enhancing the work of the United Nations' efforts within K-12 classrooms, our TeachSDGs organization contributes to the 2030 Agenda in the following ways:
We connect with global educators dedicated to responding to a call to action within education to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
We point to open and accessible resources, lessons plans, and global projects directly aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals.
We advance the work of the UN in relation to education through advocacy and outreach to inform K-12 and higher education stakeholders, defined as educators, students, parents, and community members.
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GESS Innovation in Education Award 2015 ( UAE)
Gulf Educational Suppliers and Solutions (GESS) - Dubai
Held during Gulf Educational Supplies & Solutions (GESS) 2015 on 25 February 2015, the GEAs is an annual event to celebrate outstanding success for the suppliers and teaching professionals of the education sector throughout the Middle East.
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Finalist - $ 1 Million Top 50 The Global Teacher Prize 2014-15
Varkey GEMS Foundation
The Varkey GEMS Foundation launched the Global Teacher Prize to celebrate the best teachers around the world, those who inspire their students and the communities around them. The Global Teacher Award seeks to do for education what the Nobel Prize has done for science, literature, and peace. The focus is to uplift the valuable contributions that teachers make every day to establish a flourishing global society.
It is an honour to be featured in World's Best Top 50 Teachers' List. -
National Award for Teaching ( Presidential Award)
President and Human Resource Department - Government of India
National award for Teachers is the highest felicitation awarded to Indian teachers. This award , also known as Presidential Award, is given to the teachers who have completed 15 years of service and have contributed to the Indian Education substantially. The teachers are felicitated by Hon. President of India on 5th of September every year - observed as Teacher's Day in India.
Bijal is one those few Indian teachers who have received both ICT as well as Education award from President . -
Forbes The Good Samaritan Award Winner 2014
Forbes
This award is for an exceptional individual at any level in a company who has successfully led and galvanized support within the organisation to mount programs that help more people within that organisation to support worthy causes and give back to society.
It is for the first time, they have honoured a classroom teacher instead of any Corporate level program. The story of Bijal Damani was published in the magazine ( 9th January 2015) issue along with other Corporate honchos.
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tGELF’s “Harnessing Creativity” Education Prize 2014 Winner ( Senior School)
tGELF
The Global Education & Leadership Foundation endeavors to recognize and facilitate the creativity of teachers who have changed the ethos in their classrooms and have got their students excited about Learning, by honoring them with the Harnessing Creativity Education Award.
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Microsoft Global Forum First Runner Up ' Knowledge Building and Critical Thinking'
Microsoft
My project 'Creative Capitalism - Let's Make World A Better Place' earned me a First Runner Up place for 'Knowledge Building and Critical Thinking Category' at Microsoft Global Forum help at Barcelona from 11-14th March 2014.
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21st Century Teacher of the Year Finalist 2013 ( HongKong)
21 Century Learnings International and Pearson
21st Century Learning International
21st Century Learning International (21CL) strives to honour the teachers who demonstrate innovative uses of educational technologies in the classroom to orchestrate relevant, powerful, authentic and sustainable student learning experiences. -
Bammy Awards Educators Voice Winner 2013 ( USA)
Academy of Education Arts and Science
The Bammy Awards is a national celebration of the value of education, educators and life-long learning. The honors are presented by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences International, which includes an eclectic cadre of leading educators, education leaders, education professors, journalists, editors, researchers, commentators, advocates, activists, visionaries and pioneers. The Academy is comprised of a Board of Govenors, a Council of Peers and the executive committee.
The Academy…The Bammy Awards is a national celebration of the value of education, educators and life-long learning. The honors are presented by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences International, which includes an eclectic cadre of leading educators, education leaders, education professors, journalists, editors, researchers, commentators, advocates, activists, visionaries and pioneers. The Academy is comprised of a Board of Govenors, a Council of Peers and the executive committee.
The Academy presents two honors in every category -- the Bammy Award and the Educator's Voice Award. Members of the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences International select the Bammy Awards honorees. However, you, the online education community, determine who receives the Educator's Voice Award by voting on the Bammy Awards web site for the nominated people, programs or organizations that you believe are making a significant difference in the field. -
School Enterprise People's Award ( UK)
Teach A Man To Fish and School Enterprise
Project Galaxy Bazaar, founded by Ms. Bijal Damani was a winner in the category of People's Award in School Enterprise Challenge 2013. People's Award is given to the entrepreneurial project which has positively impacted the lives of many in the community through their student driven enterprise.
Project Galaxy Bazaar is run by students of Grade 11-12 and profits generated are used to provide equal educational opportunity to underprivileged girls in the community - hence strengthening the…Project Galaxy Bazaar, founded by Ms. Bijal Damani was a winner in the category of People's Award in School Enterprise Challenge 2013. People's Award is given to the entrepreneurial project which has positively impacted the lives of many in the community through their student driven enterprise.
Project Galaxy Bazaar is run by students of Grade 11-12 and profits generated are used to provide equal educational opportunity to underprivileged girls in the community - hence strengthening the bond and bridging the gap in the community. -
School Enterprise - Inspirational Teacher Award 2013 ( UK)
The School Enterprise - Teach A Man To Fish Foundation
School Enterprise is a global competition inspiring students to become the entrepreneurs. Inspirational Teacher Award is given to the teachers who inspire their students to be ethical entrepreneurs. They help the students set up a business and run it successfully.
Bijal Damani was given this award for successfully running a Social Entrepreneurship Venture 'Galaxy Bazaar' with her Grade 11-12 students from 2005 and raising more than $40,000 as net profits which was used to provide free…School Enterprise is a global competition inspiring students to become the entrepreneurs. Inspirational Teacher Award is given to the teachers who inspire their students to be ethical entrepreneurs. They help the students set up a business and run it successfully.
Bijal Damani was given this award for successfully running a Social Entrepreneurship Venture 'Galaxy Bazaar' with her Grade 11-12 students from 2005 and raising more than $40,000 as net profits which was used to provide free equal educational opportunity to girls from underprivileged section of the community. -
Microsoft Expert Educator 2014
Microsoft
250 Educators were chosen from over 23,000 educators in over 150 countries from around the world.As an Expert Educator, I am invited to the attend Microsoft in Education Global Forum in Barcelona, Spain (March 11-14 2014)
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Pearson Teachers Award for Excellence in School Teaching (Finalist)
Pearson
Pearson, NDTV and Digital Empowerment Foundation have initiated this most prestigious award and the first of its kind in India to recognize excellent teachers from all over India and highlight their contribution in nation building and helping make a better society through inspirational teaching.
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Derozio Awards for Education and Human Enrichment 2011
Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (ICSE)
The Awards seek to:
*] identify people who make a difference in their sphere of work;
*] promote a sense of achievement, recognition and support for a cause;
*] recognize the work of people for the greater good of humanity;
*] establish a role for people to contribute to the nation;
enable professional people to reach out;
*] generate concern for the social, physical or cultural ecology of the nation;
*] enhance global goodwill and understanding. -
Divya Bhaskar Woman of the Year 2012
Divya Bhaskar Publishing House
Regional Winner.
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National Award for ICT in Education ( Presidential Award)
President & Human Resource Department, Government of India
This is the highest honour for a teacher teaching in India to be eligible for National award for effective use of ICT in education. The awards are presented by Honorable President of India on 5th September every year in New Delhi.
Presentation Video : http://bit.ly/1IbVvZb -
Microsoft Innovative Teacher Leaders Award 2011
Microsoft Partners In Learning
Represented India with a project on 'Let's Make World A Better Place' to Microsoft Partners In Learning Global Forum at Washington DC.
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Butler and Cooley Excellence in Teaching Award 2011 ( USA)
Turn Around Management (TMA)
Established in 2004 with a grant from the John Wm. Butler Foundation, Inc., the Butler-Cooley Excellence in Teaching Awards Program honors teachers who have demonstrated their capacity to change the outcome of students’ lives and communities where they teach.
I am the first International and outside North America teacher to have received the honour. -
Rotary Vocational Award 2009 & 2011
Rotary District 3060
This award is given to an individual who has set a bench mark in their profession and has inspired many to excel in her community.
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HP EdTech Innovators Award 2010
Hewlett- Packard (HP) and New Media Consortium (NMC)
The HP EdTech Innovators Awards recognized educators pioneering new ways to use technology.
A collaboration between HP and the New Media Consortium, the awards promoted innovative best practices, encouraging more teachers to rethink how technology can improve education.
I received a Technology Grant of $ 40,000 for my projects and classroom. -
ISTE Outstanding Teacher Award 2011 ( USA)
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
This award from ISTE recognizes and honors one teacher who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in and understanding of educational technology implementation, who is passionate about teaching, and who has examples of successful lessons.
I am the only ASIAN TEACHER to have received this honour. I was honoured to be featured the Front Page of their monthly magazine 'Learning and Leading with Technology' - October/November 2011 Issue -
Guruvar Outstanding Indian Teacher
Varkey Group - Gems Education UAE
The Guruvar Awards is a non-profit, non-commercial initiative that recognizes, honors and rewards school teachers from across India. This movement will enable to strengthen this special vocation so that we can secure a future where all of India's youth receive a quality education so that they can lead our country to further successes.
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ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award 2009
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD-USA)
Only Asian teacher to have received this honour since its inception. Received an award of $ 10,000/- for developing projects and aligning classroom practices for the development of 'Whole Child'.
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Best Teacher Award 2006
Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) and EducationWorld
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Broad Outlook Learner Teacher (BOLT) 2004
Air India and Singapore Toursin
Languages
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English
Professional working proficiency
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Gujarati
Professional working proficiency
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Hindi
Professional working proficiency
Organizations
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Varkey Gems Education Group
Varkey Teacher Ambassador
- PresentThis program is a passionate community of teachers who support and promote the goals of the Varkey Foundation. The Varkey Foundation believes every child deserves a supportive and encouraging learning environment in order to flourish, regardless of its background or culture. Varkey Teacher Ambassadors are the role models who promote best practices in education and lead the way in developing future learning techniques.
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Microsoft
Microsoft Innovative Educator
- PresentRecognizing Innovation at Microsoft, we believe that technology alone cannot build 21st century skills in students. Technology is an accelerator, but alone it does not enable change. We believe in the power of the educator, and the impact educators can have when they are brought together and recognized for their achievements. The Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert program is an exclusive program created to recognize global educator visionaries who are using technology to pave the way…
Recognizing Innovation at Microsoft, we believe that technology alone cannot build 21st century skills in students. Technology is an accelerator, but alone it does not enable change. We believe in the power of the educator, and the impact educators can have when they are brought together and recognized for their achievements. The Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert program is an exclusive program created to recognize global educator visionaries who are using technology to pave the way for their peers in the effective use of technology for better learning and student outcomes. MIE Experts help Microsoft to lead innovation in education. They advocate and share their thoughts on effective use of technology in education with peers and policy makers. They provide insight for Microsoft on new products and tools for education, and they exchange best practices as they work together to promote innovation in teaching and learning.
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