Meet The Faculty
Ms Anuradha Handa Founder Principal
Education Evangelist • Visionary School Leader • Mentor of Minds
When GD Goenka Public School, Sector 48, Gurugram opened its doors in 2013, it was not merely the beginning of a new institution—it marked the rise of a transformative educational movement led by its Founder Principal, Ms Anuradha Handa. A distinguished educator with over three decades of experience, Ms Handa is renowned for redefining schooling through a child-centric, evidence-driven, and future-ready approach.
A Postgraduate in Physics from Delhi University and a seasoned academic administrator, she began her journey at Modern School, Vasant Vihar, serving the institution for 16 years and heading its Physics Department. Her pursuit of deeper impact in educational leadership took her to Amity International School Noida and later Gurugram, and Apeejay School, Saket, where she shaped academic excellence with equal commitment.
In 2012, Ms Handa embraced the formidable responsibility as Founder Principal of GD Goenka Public School Sector 48 Gurugram. With a clear purpose to build a school that nurtures life, not merely livelihoods, she laid strong foundations that have since become benchmarks for progressive education in India.
Under her leadership, the school broke away from conventional pedagogy-centred models, championing a child-centred philosophy where the learner, not the textbook, defines the direction of growth. Every programme, every scholastic and co-scholastic design, every experience offered at the school bears her signature belief: education must shape the human being before shaping the professional.
I Discover Me (IDM), the indigenously conceptualized career-guidance program stems from her absolute belief that one’s passion must become ones profession, equipping learners with self-awareness, exposure to the world of work, and informed decision-making. Committed to transparency and growth, under her leadership the school underwent a rigorous audit by Adhyayan, benchmarking itself against global best practices of over 400 schools. GDGPS Sector 48 was awarded National Gold, placing it among the most future-ready institutions in India.
Her leadership attracted national and international attention, leading to selection by FICCI ARISE as one of the top schools in Delhi NCR for showcasing best practices in skills, competencies, values, and student-led curriculum design. A delegation of Australian school leaders, representing institutions with over a century of history, visited the school to study its best practices and described the school as spellbinding and a model for student autonomy, curriculum design, and values-driven learning.
Ms Handa’s work has earned her the title of Leader of the Year, awarded consecutively across the GD Goenka Group’s 140+ schools. She is a certified IC3 Career Counsellor, a respected CBSE Resource Person, and features as an Education Evangelist of India in a spotlight series on Forbes India—a testimony to her national influence and enduring impact. Under her leadership, the school has been recognised as the No.1 School among leader schools of Gurgaon by the Times School Survey.
Her path breaking endeavors led to the school being conferred with the TRAILBLAZER SCHOOL AWARD; the only school among GD Goenka Group of Schools to be conferred with this highest honor! Selected under the Gayatri Devi Goenka Excellence Awards in School Education, this highest honour bestowed within the GD Goenka Group, recognises the school for setting benchmarks of excellence across scholastic, co-scholastic and leadership domains, and for demonstrating sustained impact, innovation and consistency in school education.
At the heart of Ms Handa’s leadership lies an unwavering commitment to nurturing happy, grounded, curious, empathetic, and future-ready individuals. Her students learn to think scientifically, respond empathetically, act responsibly, and engage confidently with an unpredictable world.
Through her visionary systems, pioneering programmes, and deeply human approach, Ms Handa has built a school where global perspectives meet Indian values, where innovation harmonises with integrity, and where children truly learn to Thrive. For life.
Headmistress - Foundational
Ms Harmeet Kaur is an experienced educational professional with extensive involvement in both academic and administrative capacities across various schools. Currently, she as the Headmistress at GD Goenka Public School, she leads the foundational education wing with a focus on comprehensive student development. Previously, she served in leadership positions at DPSG Palam Vihar, NSG Primary school, Manesar and Army Preschool in Bangalore.
Throughout her career, Ms Harmeet has focused on enhancing educational programs, such as the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), and has played a pivotal role in the consultation and authorization process of the same. Her efforts are complemented by her strength in institutional governance, instructional leadership, managing stakeholders, and coaching and mentoring.
Her approach to education emphasizes creating a safe, purposeful, and stimulating environment rooted in mutual respect. She has been responsible for establishing key school policies, planning and approving budgets, and overseeing the comprehensive administration of educational programs. Her administrative acumen extends to organizing school events, coordinating with local communities, and leading professional development initiatives. Her professional development is further evidenced by her participation in numerous workshops and seminars focused on educational strategies, leadership, and technology.
Outside her professional pursuits, Ms. Kaur is supported by her husband, a distinguished retired army officer and two children, both pursuing their higher education. Ms. Kaur's dedication to education and commitment to holistic development embody the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Headmistress Preparatory & Middle
Ms Shalini Tandon, Preparatory & Middle, GD Goenka Public School, Gurgaon, is a creative and passionate educator who carries twenty eight years of experience in the field of education. She has been a part of GDGPS 48 family since 2015.She believes in being a life-long learner and contributing towards the greater cause of education. Her love for children is evident from the work that she has done over the years. Right from being a dedicated and zealous English Language teacher, Academic Coordinator, Wing Incharge, she is also a qualified Art Appreciator, Calligrapher and Textile Designer. She is a trained ‘Design Think Educator’ and has been fortunate to receive her two year training from Design Think experts from Rotterdam University. She has also worked as a teacher-counsellor and led several projects, including SIAT,on inclusive approach to teaching and learning. She has taken training from NIPCID, ICTRC, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Vimhans for the same. She has been a part of core teams of IQF, Joy of Giving projects, Rotary Interact Clubs and has been actively contributing and leading Social Outreach programmes.
She has been part of core teams for designing thematic curriculum, writing and Co-authoring text books, editor-in- chief for school magazines, leading prefectorial board, ELPP, creating scholastic resources for different age groups of students, CAL packages and conducting workshops for students and teachers. Her passion for writing and theatre made her an active member in theatre workshops and annual day planning. Her strong value system, dedication towards her work and path breaking approach to teaching and learning was recognized and she was honoured with several awards including GTA Award by British Council, TGELF Award for Education at Pan Asia Level, ISA Coordinator award, Green Campus facilitator award, PTA award for dedicated services and outstanding work as an educator.
HeadmistressSecondary & Senior Secondary
Ms Shikha Sharmais a committed and enthusiastic educator epitomizing excellence and innovation in education. In her various leadership roles, she has expertly managed CBSE enrollments, administration, teacher training, assessments, recruitment, and examinations, ensuring the highest standards of academic and operational effectiveness. She has consistently showcased her proficiency in curriculum development, conducting impactful workshops, and mentoring educators to reach their full potential. Her adept management of school operations has resulted in the successful implementation of transformative improvements that have significantly enhanced the learning environment. Ms Shikha's extensive experience includes coordinating English departments, crafting engaging educational content, and organizing vibrant cultural activities that enrich the school community. Additionally, she is well-versed in providing career guidance and mentorship, empowering students to navigate their academic and professional journeys with confidence and clarity.
She consistently strives to deliver outstanding results, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Her steadfast commitment to educational advancement inspires both students and staff alike. As a progressive and student-centric educator, she is committed to integrating futuristic teaching learning methodologies for promoting holistic development. She passionately fosters a future where every individual excels academically and embraces their full potential.
Education & Welfare Advisor
Ms. Srishti Bajaj, Education & Welfare Advisor, GD Goenka Public School, Gurgaon, firmly believes that Education is the source of inspiration that enables our learners to become fully and truly human, to fulfill a constructive mission in life with composure and confidence. Children are not possessions; they are the possessors and the shared treasure of all humanity. Education based on respecting children and enabling them to become happy will be the driving force for the social change.
Ms. Bajaj is a Post Graduate in English with a Professional Degree in Education and is an accomplished educationist, an enterprising facilitator and an adept team leader.
She was The Headmistress, Junior School of GD Goenka Public School, Rohini, New Delhi. With a visionary outlook and aspiring demeanor she has carved a niche for herself in all the roles assigned to her. She has worked as a Pre-Primary teacher with The Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan and later with GD Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj.
The formula ‘Learn, Reflect, Empower, Lead’ is the guiding light of her life. With thirty two years of rich experience as a proficient facilitator, her professional interests centre around the incorporation of powerful dynamics in learning practices in classrooms and beyond. Her extensive contributions to promote a deeper connect between the learners and teachers and her abiding belief in sustaining democracy in classrooms and schools reflects in all her endeavors.
