I recollect one defining moment during the last inspection, a day that tested not just my professional competence but my resilience as a leader. On Day 1, as we sat through the subject inspectors’ reviews, I waited with bated breath for the words every teacher long to hear, “Your Math lessons are outstanding.” Instead, the inspector, with a smile, remarked that she “did not get the feel of Math” in our lessons. She rubbed her fingers together to emphasize her point, and, in that moment, it felt as though the rug had been pulled out from beneath my feet. I was flabbergasted. It wasn’t just my work on the line; it was the collective effort of my entire team.
That was devastating. It felt like all our hard work really crumbled at that moment. But one thing I learned that day in leadership is that it’s never about not failing: it’s about having the courage to come back even stronger. I knew then that I had two choices, to be disheartened or to turn this setback into a stepping stone.
That afternoon, while my teaching team was waiting for my response, I composed myself and went into the staff room full of smiles to reassure them. “We have just a few hours,” I told them, “To rework our lessons, activities, and worksheets, because the verdict of this inspection will be written by what we do tonight.”
Without hesitation, every teacher decided to stay back, some onsite, others online, burning the midnight oil to overhaul everything. The fatigue was replaced by focus, doubt by determination. That night, I saw true teamwork in action: unity fuelled by purpose.
The next 2 days, with the continued observations, I wanted to lead from the front and requested to be observed too. On the final day, when the inspector and Vice Principal walked into my class unannounced, my heart started pounding, but I held my cool, knowing full well the fate of the department rested on this moment.
The moment the verdict came, “Very Good,” our whole department went insane with joy, because it wasn’t just about a rating; it was about recognizing resilience, teamwork, and believing in ourselves. Success, I then realized, isn’t about perfection; it’s about perseverance.
Looking back at the years that I have spent at Delhi Private School, Sharjah, are a time of gratitude for what has been possibly a journey of transformation not as an educator, but also as a leader, mentor, and lifelong learner. For me, DPS has been so much more than a workplace; it has been my arena of growth, inspiration, and purpose.
What started as a Math teacher’s simple task to make fractions less fearsome quickly grew into leadership roles that stretched both my mind and my management skills. From Class Teacher to House Coordinator, Subject Coordinator, Head of Department, and now Supervisor for Grade 4, every step taught me that empathy, consistency, and courage form the true equation of leadership.
There were moments of laughter, too, like my first team address as a Supervisor, when the Smartboard refused to cooperate, and a teacher took the time to remind me to “connect the cable.” The moment that did not only save my presentation but also grounded me in the twin pillars of effective leadership-humility and humour.
Now, as the Supervisor for Grade 4, I continue to find joy in nurturing teachers, supporting students, and ensuring learning adds up both literally and metaphorically. Each day brings new challenges, but with teamwork, trust, and a dash of humour, every equation finds its balance.
As John C. Maxwell said, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” At DPS, I have been fortunate enough to be able to do all three, sometimes with confidence, sometimes with cables, but always with heart.
Nita Cynthia Pereira
Supervisor – Grd 4
