Mr. Santanu Patra
Assistant Master in Geography at Govt. Model School, Nayagram Block
West Bengal (Jhargram)
National Teacher Awardee (2026)
Mr. Santanu Patra, recipient of the National Teachers’ Award, is an Assistant Master in Geography at Govt. Model School, Nayagram Block, Jhargram, West Bengal. Previously, he served as an Assistant Teacher at Ratanpur S. C. Pal High School. He is also a research scholar in Education at Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU), Kolkata, pursuing his PhD.
Mr. Patra holds degrees in Geography and Education, including B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. in Geography, B.Ed., M.A. in Education, postgraduate qualifications in Guidance and Counselling and School Leadership and Management, and a certificate in Inclusive Education. He has qualified UGC-NET with JRF in Geography and UGC-NET in Education. As a lifelong learner, he has completed 32 MOOCs and 15 self-learning online courses and participated in numerous seminars, conferences, training programmes and workshops.
He is a Google Certified Educator (Levels 1 & 2), Gemini Certified Educator, and Certified Quizizz Super Trainer (Levels 1 & 2). He has contributed to the State Curriculum Framework (SCF) process in West Bengal and completed CCRT programmes on NEP 2020, natural and cultural heritage, and museum-based school education. He has also served as a resource person in training programmes and workshops.
As a teacher-researcher and mentor, Mr. Patra promotes blended learning, educational technology, gamification, experiential learning, art-integrated learning, environmental education and inclusive pedagogies. Under his mentorship, Govt. Model School, Nayagram Block, won the Wipro earthian 2021 Schools Competition on Water and Sustainability and was a GenCAN National Winner (2024–25). His students have also achieved success in the National Children’s Science Congress and other academic and sustainability initiatives. He was recognised among the Top 50 in the International Digital Teachers’ Olympiad 2024, secured 273 All India Rank and 13th State Rank in the National Teachers’ Olympiad 2024, and was recognised as GenCAN 2024–25 Best Performing Mentor Teacher.
His scholarly contributions include 16 research-paper presentations, 20 research publications, and three published books. He has also served as a reviewer for international journals.
Mr. Patra was a member of the Indian delegation to Japan under the International Exchange Programme for Primary and Secondary School Teachers organised by the Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU). At his school, he has served as Secretary of the Academic Council, Teacher-in-Charge of the Jhumur Cultural Club and Eco Club, and Institute Nodal Officer for the Aikyashree Scheme and National Scholarship Portal.
Through his commitment to innovation, research and community-responsive education, Mr. Patra seeks to create inclusive, technology-enabled and experiential learning environments connecting classroom learning with students’ culture, community and real-life experiences.
Mr. Patra holds degrees in Geography and Education, including B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. in Geography, B.Ed., M.A. in Education, postgraduate qualifications in Guidance and Counselling and School Leadership and Management, and a certificate in Inclusive Education. He has qualified UGC-NET with JRF in Geography and UGC-NET in Education. As a lifelong learner, he has completed 32 MOOCs and 15 self-learning online courses and participated in numerous seminars, conferences, training programmes and workshops.
He is a Google Certified Educator (Levels 1 & 2), Gemini Certified Educator, and Certified Quizizz Super Trainer (Levels 1 & 2). He has contributed to the State Curriculum Framework (SCF) process in West Bengal and completed CCRT programmes on NEP 2020, natural and cultural heritage, and museum-based school education. He has also served as a resource person in training programmes and workshops.
As a teacher-researcher and mentor, Mr. Patra promotes blended learning, educational technology, gamification, experiential learning, art-integrated learning, environmental education and inclusive pedagogies. Under his mentorship, Govt. Model School, Nayagram Block, won the Wipro earthian 2021 Schools Competition on Water and Sustainability and was a GenCAN National Winner (2024–25). His students have also achieved success in the National Children’s Science Congress and other academic and sustainability initiatives. He was recognised among the Top 50 in the International Digital Teachers’ Olympiad 2024, secured 273 All India Rank and 13th State Rank in the National Teachers’ Olympiad 2024, and was recognised as GenCAN 2024–25 Best Performing Mentor Teacher.
His scholarly contributions include 16 research-paper presentations, 20 research publications, and three published books. He has also served as a reviewer for international journals.
Mr. Patra was a member of the Indian delegation to Japan under the International Exchange Programme for Primary and Secondary School Teachers organised by the Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU). At his school, he has served as Secretary of the Academic Council, Teacher-in-Charge of the Jhumur Cultural Club and Eco Club, and Institute Nodal Officer for the Aikyashree Scheme and National Scholarship Portal.
Through his commitment to innovation, research and community-responsive education, Mr. Patra seeks to create inclusive, technology-enabled and experiential learning environments connecting classroom learning with students’ culture, community and real-life experiences.
Awards & Recognitions
- GenCAN 2024-25: Best-Performing Mentor Teacher
- Member of the Indian delegation and visited Japan to participate in the International Exchange Programme for Primary and Secondary School Teachers organised by the Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO
- Top 50 rank in the International Digital Teachers' Olympiad 2024 (2nd Phase)
- Mentorship – Winning school in the Wipro earthian 2021 Schools Competition
- Mentorship – GenCAN National Level Winners: 2024-25
Innovations & Projects
- Students-led art-integrated climate awareness reaches more than 2 million people
- Integrated technology following station rotation blended learning model
Publications, Research & Talks
- Published 20 research articles in national and international journals and book chapters in edited volumes. He has published a book titled 'Blended Learning: Toolkit for Assessing Mindscape of the Teachers' (ISBN: 978-93-82112-94-5), 'Pedagogy Across Curriculum' (ISBN: 978-93-48747-50-1), and 'Pedagogy, Andragogy, and Assessment' (ISBN: 978-93-94239-98-2).