We’re pleased to welcome Indira as Multi-Age Assistant Teacher at Middle Way School. In this role, she nurtures the learning experience of each classroom. Indira fluidly adapts to a spectrum of ages, and is appreciated for her kindhearted presence and gentle enthusiasm. We’re grateful to have Indira’s inspiration woven throughout the campus experience for our students!

I feel so honored to join the community this year as I pursue my lifelong love of education and social justice-based teaching. I recently completed my undergrad at Earlham College, a Quaker-based college in the Midwest, where I studied English and was able to delve into my deep love of reading and writing. I have always been passionate about education, especially as a means to social change, and truly believe in its power to shift narratives and create a more accepting, open-minded, and empathetic society. I worked as the leader for Lightseekers, a Quaker youth group for middle schoolers, where we focused on community work, environmental issues, conversations around social justice, art, music, and reflection time where students are given the space to process emotions and challenges in their lives. Some of my favorite things I have done with my middle schoolers have been planting trees, neighborhood trash pick-ups, organic farming, candlelight meditation circles, cyanotype sun printing, zine making, and poetry writing.

In addition to my work with Lightseekers, I have also worked as a farm and nature lead educator at Seed Song Farm, was an assistant educator at Downtown Little School in Manhattan, tutored for middle schoolers during the pandemic, and have done lots of at-home childcare work. Middle Way School stood out to me for its unique vision which combines progressive education with Buddhist values and philosophies. There are so many benefits to meditation and mindful-based living that I feel are invaluable additions to education.

I have always felt very connected to Buddhism and my time spent studying abroad in Thailand nurtured this connection even further! During my semester abroad, I wrote reports on the benefits of meditation and mindfulness-based practices in education, visited temples, spoke to monks, and interviewed my Thai classmates on the ways meditation practices had been incorporated into their everyday lives from an early age. I am so happy to be able to work at Middle Way School to incorporate these lessons and wisdom and to keep learning from the wonderful community here!

During my free time I love to read, forest bathe, bike, swim, play guitar and sing, and cook seasonal foods and baked goods. I also spend countless hours in conversation with my identical twin who I share the most special bond with, cuddling with my ragdoll cat, and exploring bookstores for more books to add to my ever-growing collection!