Meet the … teacher: Surya Benedict

What do you wear to school?

I always aim to wear outfits that are well fitted, classic and professional. My usual style is a structured workwear dress with a contrasting blazer and court shoes – it’s simple, polished and helps me feel confident and ready for the day. I’ve found that dressing smartly helps set the tone in the classroom. It shows I’m here to teach and I think my students pick up on that.

What teaching resource do you keep coming back to?

What’s your favourite teaching hack?

I always start with scaffolded hinge questions to gauge what students already understand, which allows me to tailor the lesson to their needs. I also use hinge questions throughout the lesson to check for real-time understanding.

I make it a point to involve all students in answering these questions, ensuring everyone has a voice in the lesson. Interestingly, my son once told me that when I ask questions while he’s reading, it helps him ‘think outside the box’. That affirmed for me that this technique doesn’t just test recall, it encourages deeper comprehension and critical thinking, which I strive to cultivate in all my students.

Describe an embarrassing moment you’d rather not relive in your classroom or teaching life …

One of my most humbling moments happened when I was working as a guest lecturer in biochemistry at a leading college in India. To complete the curriculum on time, I scheduled extra classes an hour before the usual start of the day. On the first day, everyone was on time, apart from one student. He apologised and I allowed him to join the class. However, when the same thing happened again the next day, I became firm. I told him that repeated lateness felt like a choice and I asked him to leave the lesson. He respectfully accepted my decision and didn’t argue.

Later that day, my head of department, who had observed the interaction, spoke to me about the situation. What I learned truly humbled me: that student was working both evening and night shifts – up until 4.30am –to support his family and was coming to class with only a few hours of sleep.

I felt deeply embarrassed – not because I enforced discipline, but because I didn’t ask the one simple, human question: ‘Is everything okay? What’s making it difficult for you to be on time?’ That experience became a turning point in my teaching. Now, I always start with curiosity and compassion when a student’s behaviour changes, because you never know what silent struggles they might be carrying.

Imagine you can only share one piece of advice with your fellow teachers, what would you say?

Be a good listener, not only to your students but also to your colleagues. Being a good listener helps you truly understand others and figure out how to bring out the best in them. It is our responsibility as teachers to truly support and help students from diverse backgrounds to reach their learning potential. For that we need to listen carefully to their voices and adjust our teaching strategies accordingly. When we do that, we create learning environments where everyone can thrive.

What’s on your bookshelf?

Two books I keep dipping back into are Making every science lesson count by Shaun Allison and Teaching secondary science by Adam Boxer. Shaun’s book is packed with practical ideas – it’s one of those books that reminds you of the why behind what we do in the classroom and helps you do it better without overcomplicating things. Adam’s book is another favourite: it’s like having a knowledgeable (and honest) colleague walking you through all the tricky bits of teaching science. His explanations are clear and I’ve stolen a few of his analogies for my lessons.

How do you relax?

For me, cooking is the perfect way to switch off from work, recharge and reset. There’s something soothing about being in the kitchen: chopping, stirring and getting completely lost in what I’m making. I love experimenting with new recipes or putting my own twist on old favourites. But the best part is sharing the food with others and seeing everyone’s reactions, whether it’s a smile, a quick comment or just that quiet moment when everyone’s too busy enjoying the meal to say anything.

Who’s your hero?

This question always brings me to two heroes in my life. The first is my husband. He inspires me to think bigger, aim higher and stay focused on the long-term. Watching him turn challenges into opportunities has influenced my own teaching and leadership style. His calm strength reminds me that difficulties are not roadblocks, they are stepping stones to future growth.

The second is my father. He is the foundation of the compassion, gratitude and integrity I carry into both my personal and professional lives. He also taught me to build genuine passion for my work, to do it with dedication and to expect nothing in return, because the satisfaction you gain from doing something meaningful is the greatest reward.