Dr. Prerana Rane Excellent Teacher Award

Dr. Prerana Rane Excellent Teacher Award instituted by Guruji Education Foundation, is a way of recognizing the efforts of committed school teachers who are doing outstanding work towards moulding the future generations, into capable and well-rounded individuals.

Phase 1 of the Award, which was rolled out on a pilot basis to 10 schools, culminated recently. After a detailed evaluation process, which included personal interviews, and collection of structured feedback from multiple stakeholders — students, peer-teachers, school management, and selected parents - the following 9 teachers were selected to receive the award:

• Mr. Abhijeet S. Dhure, Janata Vidyamandir, Trimbak

• Mr. Ghanashyam G. Varade, Kai Y. D. Patil Madhyamik Vidyalay, Tandulwadi

• Ms. Geeta G. Mandaokar, Dnyanada High School, Satefal

• Mr. Mahadev P. Pawar, Pragat Vidyamandir, Ramgad

• Mr. Milind M. Kadu, N. M. Ghatwal High School, Wadner

• Mr. Mohan V. Jagdale, Mitra Vidyalay, Malegaon

• Mr. Netaji T. Bhosale, Tulsidas Jadhav Prashala, Vairag

• Mr. Sandeep Singh Mandloi, Ramkrishna Sarada Niketan, Lepa Punarvas

• Mr. Suraj S. Ganapati, Dnyanada High School, Satefal

GEF is proud of the winners (Standing L-R: Suraj Ganapati, Sandeep Mandloi, Ghanashyam Varade, Mohan Jagdale.  Sitting L-R: Geeta Mandaokar, Netaji Bhosale, Mahadev Pawar, Milind Kadu)

Awards were presented at the hands of Mrs. Elizabeth Mehta, founder of Muktangan, at an award ceremony held on 10th December 2025 at Muktangan, Mumbai.

A snapshot from the award ceremony.  Dr. Elizabeth Mehta presenting the award to Shri Netaji Bhosale

The award process includes capacity-building. The awardee teachers and their respective school principals were therefore invited on a study tour of two well-performing schools - Muktangan, Mumbai, and another school located at Hiwali, Taluka Trimbakeshwar, District Nashik, where they witnessed innovative and child-centric teaching methodologies in practice.

For the second phase of the award process, the awardee teachers with the help of their principals have submitted project proposals outlining initiatives they plan to implement in the coming academic year, with the sole aim of developing their students. On completion, the projects will be evaluated, and the best projects awarded.