Embracing the FISH Philosophy in Educational Leadership ????
Aprajita Ralli
Principal Sreenidhi School,IB Examiner & Leader,NEASC visitor, Educational Change leader/trainer, Academic Coach,Instructional & Curriculum Design coach,Students/Teachers Mentor,Teach SDGs Ambassador,TechIntegrationist.
As a leader, I have always believed in and strived to foster a positive, vibrant, and engaging learning environment for our students and educators. And I strongly believe that the Four Practices of the FISH Philosophy are at the heart #ofteachingandlearning approach.
1. Be Present – We must prioritize mindfulness, ensuring we are truly there for our students, colleagues, and community, fostering meaningful connections. Be Present – Leadership Through Mindful Connections As a leader, "Being Present" is at the core of my approach. Leadership, for me, is about prioritizing mindfulness—ensuring that I am truly available and attentive to the needs of my students, teachers, and community. I aim to foster?meaningful connections?in every interaction?by actively listening, understanding diverse perspectives, and responding with empathy. This principle is not just about physical presence but about engaged presence—being fully involved in the moment and addressing concerns with thoughtfulness and respect. By staying present, I strive to create an environment where every voice is heard, every effort is valued, and challenges are tackled collaboratively. "Being Present" for me, then is not just a leadership principle—it is the foundation for building trust, inspiring growth, and enabling meaningful progress that we want in every facet of our school community.
2. Make Their Day -From the very early years of my life, the idea of "A good deed for the day" has been deeply ingrained in me. This principle continues to shape my leadership style, where I believe that small gestures can create big impacts. As a leader, I strive to uplift and inspire those around me through consistent, thoughtful actions—whether it’s acknowledging a teacher’s efforts, encouraging a student, or providing a listening ear to a colleague. These seemingly small deeds have enabled me to foster a culture of care, positivity, and mutual respect within our school community. My leadership is built on the belief that every action counts. By recognizing and addressing individual needs, I aim to create a ripple effect where others feel empowered to contribute, collaborate, and thrive. Leading by example in this way reinforces my commitment to service, growth, and fostering a supportive environment for all. True leadership, in my view, is about being intentional in your efforts to bring out the best in others, I always say "Good leaders will create more leaders " and that can be achieved by one small but meaningful gesture at a time. This philosophy defines not just my role as a leader but also my values as a person.
3. Play –I have always firmly believed that learning can and should be fun—a principle that resonates deeply in my leadership style. Encouraging creativity, curiosity, and joy in exploration forms the backbone of how I guide both students and teachers. However, I also emphasize that fun must come with responsibility. As a leader, I try and create an environment where students and teachers feel free to experiment, innovate, and enjoy their learning experiences while understanding the value of discipline, respect, and accountability. This balance ensures that fun translates into meaningful growth, collaboration, and purposeful engagement. Whether it’s promoting interactive teaching methods, inspiring students to explore their passions, or encouraging teachers to think outside the box, I lead with the conviction that responsible fun builds trust and motivation. By modeling this balance myself, I aim to foster a culture where both students and teachers find joy in learning while staying mindful of their responsibilities.
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4. Choose Your Attitude –I tell myself every day that leadership is about recognizing that attitude shapes outcomes. Every day presents a new opportunity to lead with positivity, resilience, and enthusiasm, and this belief defines my leadership style. I approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset, ensuring that setbacks are met with determination and adaptability rather than frustration. This resilience inspires those around me—students and teachers alike—to view obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning. Positivity, however, does not mean ignoring difficulties; it means facing them with a clear vision and a sense of purpose. As a leader, I consciously model this behavior, encouraging others to choose an attitude that empowers them and uplifts those they interact with.
I aim to create an environment where both educators and students feel motivated, valued, and ready to give their best to ignite a love for learning, strengthen relationships, and cultivate a culture of mutual respect and happiness. ??
#EducationForAll #PositiveLearning #FISHPhilosophy #SreenidhiInternationalSchool #HolisticDevelopment #KindleTheLightWithin #ofteachingandlearning
Educationist
3 个月Love this
IB Role Of Librarian CAT 3 Certified Teacher Librarian at The Shri Ram Academy
3 个月This is amazing. Loved it. I have seen many leaderships in my career journey and very few impressed me with their thoughts, perspectives, attitudes and philosophy and you are definitely one of them. Definitely under your leadership you must be creating many more leaders. I love what you wrote about being in the present and about the right attitude. I believe in the same. Thank you Ms for sharing the wonderful perspective about you. Felt more close to you reading this.
IB Educator, TESOL certified.
3 个月I agree
Head of Department, Science(s) ?????????? IBDP Examiner ?? EE Facilitator ???? STEM, SNHS, Robotics & SDG’s Advocate ???? Physics ?? & Mathematics Educator ?? IBDP, A-Level, MYP & IGCSE !!
3 个月Amazing insight!! Love this!!
IB PYP Homeroom Educator, NEASC LP Lead and Professional Learning Coordinator
3 个月Amazing insight!! I could connect with the statement "Positivity, however, does not mean ignoring difficulties; it means facing them with a clear vision and a sense of purpose". We often when faced with difficulty tend to avoid situations, but we can only persist when we have an attitude to embrace rather than ignore.