Tahir Gaffar, a mathematics educator at Army Goodwill School (AGS) Hajinar, has brought pride to Jammu and Kashmir by securing 5th rank nationally in the prestigious “Champions of Change” competition during the Teacher’s Tech Summit 2025, powered by The Teacher App and Bharti Airtel Foundation.
Selected among thousands of entries from across India, he emerged as the only teacher from J&K to be recognized among the Top 10 winners. His innovative approach of transforming “math phobia into math fascination” won hearts at the national stage.
Despite challenges of teaching in a conflict-prone and geographically isolated region like Karnah, Gaffar has introduced real-life applications of mathematics, motivational storytelling, and inclusive teaching strategies to inspire students. His work was hailed as both impactful and innovative.
The Teacher’s Tech Summit 2025, a three-week nationwide festival, aimed to empower educators with future-ready pedagogy, STEAM-based learning, AI-driven tools, and gamification strategies.
Expressing gratitude, Gaffar dedicated the award to his students, family, school, and community. He thanked the Bharti Airtel Foundation for creating an inclusive digital platform for educators and acknowledged the constant support of the Indian Army, AGS Hajinar management, Principal Mr. Aftab Ahmad Khawaja, and Vice Principal Mr. Javid Ahmed Mir.
“This award is a celebration of every student who dared to believe in themselves,” Gaffar said.