Selvei Rajkumar, the Managing Director of KLA Schools of Naperville, is at the helm of a transformative initiative – the creation of the Orion STEM Schools. This visionary endeavor is set to welcome up to 360 students, spanning from kindergarten through eighth grade, as they embark on an educational journey that embraces innovation and empowers young minds.
Selvei’s dedication to education is rooted in a deep belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality learning experience. This conviction isn’t just about individual growth; it’s about building a stronger community through educated, empathetic citizens. Her lifelong mission revolves around nurturing young minds to become respectful, caring individuals and compassionate leaders, with the overarching goal of leaving a lasting imprint on society.
Her father’s influence played an instrumental role in shaping her values. He imparted a strong sense of social responsibility and introduced her to the teachings of iconic figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Theodore Roosevelt. These values became her compass, guiding her professional journey.
Although she initially followed a path in engineering, later pursuing an MBA and venturing into strategic management consulting, a letter from Mother Teresa during her youth acted as a poignant reminder of education’s transformative power. In response to this calling, and with unwavering family support, particularly from her husband, she embarked on a research journey. This pursuit led her to realize the pressing need for a STEM school in Naperville in 2010.
Understanding that 90% of brain development takes place in the first five years of life, Selvei initiated KLA Schools in Plainfield in 2013, later expanding to the Naperville and Naperville West campuses. In 2018, she, along with her son Asuttosh Rajkumar, established the Muthusami Paravel Foundation, a non-profit with a vision to elevate the quality of education by emphasizing emotional intelligence and core values.
From this foundation of experience and research, Selvei recognized the dire need for STEM and Entrepreneurship education. Thus, the Orion STEM Schools came into being, embodying her passion to enable students to discover their voices, passions, and purposes. The curriculum at Orion emphasizes not just academic excellence, but also critical thinking, creativity, and innovation – all of which reflect Selvei’s belief in holistic education.
Throughout her career, Selvei has been a staunch advocate for top-tier education. Her pursuit of excellence and innovation in education echoes the shifts occurring in the global innovation economy. Her work embodies the true essence of education as a catalyst for empowerment and societal impact.
Empowering Through STEM and Entrepreneurship
Orion STEM Schools employ a focused STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Entrepreneurship curriculum aimed at fostering these objectives. Here’s how:
- Holistic Learning: STEM links various disciplines, promoting interdisciplinary connections akin to real-world problem-solving, broadening students’ perspectives.
- Hands-on Approach: Practical projects engage students in active experimentation, encouraging creativity and iterative learning through trial and error.
- Critical Thinking: STEM emphasizes not just solutions, but the process behind them, nurturing continuous inquiry and analytical skills.
- Entrepreneurship Emphasis: Introducing entrepreneurship cultivates initiative and responsibility, enabling students to innovate, take risks, and create real-world impact.
- Collaboration: Collaborative projects promote teamwork, effective communication, and diverse perspective appreciation.
- Real-world Connections: Relating theory to application inspires students to pursue passion-driven projects with tangible outcomes.
- Embracing Failure: Both STEM and Entrepreneurship value learning from failure, fostering resilience and growth mindsets.
- Curiosity Cultivation: Constant exposure to evolving STEM concepts fuels ongoing curiosity and deeper exploration.
- Ethical Sustainability: The curriculum highlights ethical innovation and sustainable solutions for long-term societal and environmental benefits.
Combining STEM’s rigor with Entrepreneurship’s vision, Orion’s curriculum nurtures an environment where students can explore, innovate, and realize their dreams, discovering their unique passions and purpose.
Shaping Education for the Global Innovation Economy
Selvei envisions a transformative role for education within the global innovation economy, characterized by the following shifts:
- Skill-Centric Learning: The emphasis will shift from degrees to skills, focusing on critical thinking, adaptability, digital literacy, and interpersonal abilities.
- Lifelong Learning: The fast pace of change mandates ongoing learning and adaptability to keep up with evolving technologies and socio-economic shifts.
- Interdisciplinary Approaches: Addressing complex challenges requires integrating knowledge from diverse subjects, fostering holistic understanding.
- Cultural and Global Competence: Amid interconnected economies, cultural awareness and teamwork in diverse settings become essential.
- Experiential Learning: Practical application of theoretical knowledge will be vital for students to thrive in real-world contexts.
- Soft Skills Valuation: Emotional intelligence, resilience, leadership, and collaboration will complement academic prowess in the changing work landscape.
- Digital Fluency: Proficiency in navigating the digital realm will be fundamental as technology permeates all aspects of life.
For Orion STEM Schools to remain at the forefront of this transformation:
- Curriculum Adaptation: Regularly update content to align with the latest research, technologies, and methodologies.
- Technology Integration: Embrace advanced educational tools to enable personalized learning and enhance collaboration.
- Educator Professionalism: Train teachers in current teaching methods, technologies, and ongoing learning, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Global Engagement: Forge partnerships with institutions worldwide to gain diverse perspectives and facilitate collaborative initiatives.
- Feedback Integration: Involve stakeholders in providing insights for improvement, enhancing the educational experience.
- Innovation Culture: Encourage innovation, risk-taking, and embracing failure as opportunities for growth.
- Awareness and Collaboration: Stay informed about educational trends through engagement with thought leaders and participation in conferences.
- Holistic Development: Prioritize character, ethics, well-being, and physical health to create well-rounded individuals.
- Alumni Contribution: Leverage alumni experiences as mentors and sources of real-world insights.
Adapting with agility and prioritizing student well-being, Orion STEM Schools will continue their leadership in shaping education for the global innovation economy.
Fostering Empathy and Citizenship
Selvei underscores Orion STEM Schools prioritizes holistic student development, including empathy and citizenship alongside academics. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum fosters emotional intelligence and positive relationships. Collaborative projects, role-playing, and literature offer diverse perspectives. Community service and mindfulness expand cultural horizons. Educators model empathy, and restorative justice practices focus on reconciliation. Guest speakers and self-assessment tools enhance empathetic growth. Parent involvement reinforces empathy’s importance at home, nurturing compassionate future leaders.
Elevating Educational Excellence
The University of Chicago STEM Education collaboration has greatly enhanced Orion STEM Schools’ educational excellence. This partnership brings current STEM insights to the curriculum, offers ongoing faculty development, and provides access to cutting-edge labs and resources. Students gain research exposure, industry-led workshops, summer programs, and internships. Collaborative projects offer hands-on experience with university experts, while networking expands horizons. This alliance elevates Orion’s reputation and fosters an innovative, enriched learning environment.
Holistic Approaches and Strategies for Educators and School Leaders
When offering advice to fellow educators and school leaders, Selvei underscores the importance of adopting a strategic and holistic approach to creating innovative educational environments. She suggests that a clear institutional vision should be articulated, highlighting both academic excellence and the cultivation of soft skills, emotional intelligence, and core values. Selvei’s perspective leans toward embracing a student-centric approach that acknowledges the unique qualities of each learner, tailoring instructional methods accordingly. She places a significant emphasis on promoting real-world application through methods such as project-based learning and internships, coupled with a rigorous focus on honing critical thinking skills and fostering a culture that encourages curiosity and questioning.
According to Selvei, fostering resilience and adaptability is achieved through the active promotion of a growth mindset. She recommends strengthening collaboration skills through team-based projects and integrating mentorship programs to provide students with real-life leadership insights while fostering an environment that supports calculated risk-taking.
Selvei’s perspective also encompasses embracing a global curriculum viewpoint to acquaint students with diverse cultures and the complex challenges of an interconnected world. She underscores the importance of investing in continuous professional development for educators to ensure the delivery of top-tier instruction. Furthermore, she places a strong emphasis on building robust connections with the community and parents, drawing from their insights and support to create a comprehensive educational experience.
Recognizing the transformative potential of technology, both as a pedagogical tool and a subject of study, is a key aspect according to Selvei’s perspective. She believes that establishing a consistent feedback loop that welcomes input from all stakeholders is essential for continuous improvement. Remaining vigilant about global educational trends by actively participating in relevant workshops and conferences is another vital aspect of her perspective.
Selvei envisions that by intricately weaving together these principles, educators can expertly craft dynamic educational settings ready to nurture the next generation of leaders and innovators, reflecting her deeply held beliefs.
Testimonial: “Ten years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Selvei during an interview, a moment that left an indelible impression on me. Her fervent mission to enact change, particularly in the educational landscape, was truly inspiring. The unique environment she envisioned for the children, coupled with her distinct offerings, deeply resonated with me; it was clear this would set her school apart from others. Selvei consistently prioritizes the well-being of her students and team in every decision. Working under her leadership is an honor, and I’m committed to making her vision for the preschools a tangible reality. I am confident that Orion STEM Schools will stand out, with students flourishing under its innovative learning approach and nurturing environment.” – Erica Koegel, Executive Director, KLA Schools of Plainfield, Naperville and Naperville West.
