Tajamul Naseem Lone, a higher secondary school teacher from North Kashmir’s Baramulla, has been selected for Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Programme 2024-2025 in the United States.
The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Programme offers international secondary-level educators a six-week professional learning opportunity at a host university in the US. Participants attend academic seminars focusing on innovative teaching methodologies, student-centred learning, instructional technology, and content-based instruction.
“I come from a humble economic background; my father is a sub-inspector and my mother is an Anganwadi teacher,” said Tajamul Naseem, who hails from the Dangiwacha area of North Kashmir’s Rafiabad.
Tajamul credited his achievement to the support of the staff at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Dangiwacha and the mentorship of Rameez Sudan, a Fulbright alumnus, who guided him.
The 38-year-old noted that he is the only person from Kashmir to achieve this feat this year as well as the second from north India.
This year, only seven teachers from across India were selected for the prestigious programme.
Lone completed his primary and secondary education in his local area before pursuing a Bachelor of Science from the University of Kashmir.
In 2008, he relocated to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, to pursue a Master’s degree in Zoology at Barkatullah University. He furthered his academic pursuits by obtaining a Master of Philosophy in Zoology from Bundelkhand University in Uttar Pradesh.
He also holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Kashmir, which he earned in 2011. Additionally, his formal education includes a Diploma in Computer Applications and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, which he is currently pursuing.
According to Lone, his experiences include teaching in the Department of School Education in Kashmir since 2015. He has also worked as an ALOHA administrator and course instructor for five years, during which time he conducted evaluations to measure student performance and progress. He guided areas requiring improvement and worked collaboratively with teachers, administrators, and parents to help students achieve their learning objectives.
Lone’s resume boasts a diverse skill set, encompassing classroom management, ICT-integrated teaching, secondary education teaching, activity-based learning, student engagement, and testing and grading, among other areas of expertise.
Lone, who has been selected for the esteemed 2024-2025 Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Programme was chosen from over 3,200 international applicants spanning 65 countries, demonstrating exceptional teaching skills and a commitment to educational excellence. The Fulbright Program, with its mission to foster global understanding, provides this opportunity for teachers to exchange ideas and address shared international concerns.
The six-week programme in the United States will offer Lone academic seminars, field experience with a US partner educator, and cultural activities. Specialised programming will focus on critical issues in education, including gender in education, media literacy, and environmental education.
“We are thrilled to congratulate Tajamul Naseem Lone on this well-deserved recognition,” said Jennifer Gibson, Branch Chief of the Teacher Exchange Branch. “This award embodies the Fulbright Program’s dedication to promoting mutual understanding and educational excellence globally.”
Lone’s participation in the program is made possible through funding from the US Congress and partnerships with Fulbright Commissions, US Embassies, and Ministries of Education worldwide. The programme will be implemented by IREX, an international non-profit, in cooperation with the Department of State.
This prestigious award marks a significant milestone in Lone’s teaching career, offering a transformative experience that will broaden his perspectives and professional networks between India and the United States.
Pertinently, Shaista Shakeel, a government school educator from Peer Bagh Chakloo in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, was selected as a participant in the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Programme 2023.
