St. Joseph’s Sr Sec. School, Sector 44-D, Chandigarh resonated with warmth and gratitude as students and staff came together to honour the pillars of knowledge and inspiration – their beloved teachers. Teachers’ Day celebrations served as a poignant reminder of the profound impact teachers have on shaping young minds and lives.

At St. Joseph’s Sr. Sec. School, Teachers’ Day is not just a day of celebration—it’s a week-long journey of love, compassion, and deep connections. From August 29 to September 4, 2024, students and teachers embarked on a heart-warming  outreach program, “Teaching Beyond Walls,” embracing the true essence of education. Over seven days, they visited various institutions, not only to give but also to learn, share, and uplift those around them. This innovative program, the visionary brainchild of Ms. Monica Chawla, has been successfully operational for the past five years, making a significant impact and leaving a lasting legacy. Teacher’s Day is celebrated in a way that highlights and honors the remarkable achievements of this impactful initiative. These experiences created lasting impressions, fostering a culture of empathy and kindness.

The festivities commenced with a warm and reverent welcome accorded to the teachers by the Principal and the cabinet members, marked by the ceremonial application of tilak and a mesmerizing rendition of songs.

The laughter continued with skits that had everyone in fits of joy, and students delighted their teachers with intricate mehendi designs and playful nail art, showcasing their appreciation in creative ways.

Teachers poured their hearts out in heartfelt messages on the board displayed for the same and revelled in joyful selfie sessions, capturing the spirit of the moment with beaming smiles.

They were overwhelmed by the meticulous endeavours made by the students to take the celebrations a notch up with their hilarious Skits, and their attempt to transform their teachers into fashionistas with their intricate mehendi designs and chic nail art.

The Members of the Management, Mr. Sukhdeep Grewal and Mr. Paramdeep Grewal as well as Principal Ms. Monica Chawla were presented with exquisitely handcrafted tokens of affection from the Staff and students for their unequivocal support and mentorship.

Later in the day, the revelry continued as the Josephian Family gathered at The Oyster in Sector 17 for an opulent feast.

It was a moment of great pride for everyone as two Teachers, Ms Jyothi Belawadi and Ms. Rashi Srivastava were conferred with the State Award and Commendation for the Best Teacher respectively. They were elated to be honoured once again by the Management Members and Principal, attributing their success to their guidance and counsel.

It seemed to be raining awards as any other educators were also awarded for various categories such as the Best Teacher (Block wise) Marigold Teacher, Most Punctual Teacher and Best Messages (showcasing gratitude and blessings for children).

The highly coveted Lily Sebastian Award was bestowed upon Ms. Rani Pal, an exemplary stalwart of the institution for her unwavering and steadfast endeavours. More awards followed, recognizing excellence and dedication across various categories. Among the honored teachers were Ms. Rajni Bajaj, Ms. Tejinder Kaur, Ms. Renu Dhiman, Ms. Tamanna, Ms. Renu Sidana, Ms. Sheeba Negi, Ms. Neelam Verma, and Ms. Manjeet Kaur.

Soon it was time for the young at heart Facilitators to let their hair down and show off their best moves, as they danced with unbridled enthusiasm and joy.

Teachers’ Day festivities came to a close, leaving behind a trail of gratitude and appreciation for the guardians of knowledge. While addressing the gathering Principal Ma’am stated that teachers truly epitomize the quote of Rita Pierson who said, “Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”