3 teachers from Karnataka chosen for national award

In 2014, a research work that he did on Obesity opened the eyes of many to the deadly condition. A concern towards students grew stronger and with that the need to immediately help them.

From then on, there has been no looking back for 45-year-old Dr Rameshappa G Devanahalli. A physical education teacher by profession, he ensures that students practice yoga at least twice a week and meditation on an everyday basis.

Dr Devanahalli is one of three teachers from the state selected for the national Teachers Awards 2017. The others are Shaila and Shivakumar M.

Dr Devanahalli, who works with the Government Junior College-Vijayapura in Bengaluru Rural District for the past 17 years, has also been involved in training students with disability.

“I have been coaching students with disability in various sports. I have trained 70 children so far,” he added. Dr Devanahalli had been a recipient of the state best teacher award as well.

A headmistress with Government High School, T Dasarahalli, Shaila received 34 awards for her accomplishments.

The best teacher award would be a jewel in the crown. In her 24 years as a teacher, Shaila, hailing from Sagara City, is known for bringing a facelift to the government schools she worked for.

In 2005, when she was posted to Bengaluru, the classrooms were in a dilapidated condition. Today, the school boasts of 45 classrooms.

“A school established in 1971 never crossed a 40 % results overall. Since I joined, the average has been 90 %,” Shaila said.

In 1999, Shaila was recruited through KPSC as a principal in a school in Sagara. Until then, the school was languishing at 0% result. Shaila turned around its fortunes in four years, by which time the school was producing 96% result.

Shaila is a recipient of Kempegowda award in 2013, Kenal Hanumantaiah award and Pandit Deen Dayal award among others.