Contributors

Brinda Tahiliani, a history teacher at New Mission Collegiate Academy, a pilot school within the Boston Public Schools, has completed her Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching in India from January to June 2019. Brinda Tahiliani received a B.A. from Bates College, M.B.A from Brandeis University and an M.Ed from UMass Boston. Now, as a teacher of thirteen years, she expects every single child to succeed and holds every one of them to high academic standards. There are no exceptions, no excuses, to her solemn commitment that every child can learn; every child deserves to be challenged and to have their imaginations sparked.

Brinda’s inquiry project for her Fulbright was how to incorporate student-centered, project-based learning in her history classroom. Upon arrival in India, she was introduced to the Design Thinking Process (DTP) at the Indus International School in Bangalore. Her project evolved into creating this practical guide for teachers. Her wish is that teachers will apply the tools in this guide to their own practice and transform students to be ready for the 21st century. Brinda strongly believes that the Design Thinking Process is one way to help diversify learning to tap into every child's learning potential. Future generations and how they are learning is ever changing and dynamic and educators MUST change with the times!

Additionally, she has a very loving and supportive family. Her family includes her partner
John, her son JJ (James John), her younger son Ashram and their dog Padme. They are her guiding lights.