Hi, I'm Chaitra

I'm an IB MYP & DP Design Technology Teacher

IB-trained Design & Technology teacher with an engineering background and 6 years of teaching experience, including 4+ years teaching IB MYP and DP in an IB World School.

I build technology into hands-on, inquiry-based learning, from CAD modelling, FEA and simulation-based lessons to 3D printing, Arduino and coding. Beyond my classes, I set up our Design Lab / Makerspace and Robotics Lab from scratch, contributed to IB, CIS and NEASC accreditation, and lead IGNITE, our Design department's annual makeathon and hackathon festival.

6Years of teaching experienceYears teaching
4+Years teaching IB MYP and DPYears in IB
71%of the MYP Design cohort at Grade 6 or 7, May 2026MYP at grade 6–7
Portrait of Chaitra R

Experience

  1. MYP/DP Design & Technology Facilitator · Personal Project Supervisor

    2022 – Present

    Sreenidhi International School, Hyderabad

    • Teach IB DP Design Technology (HL/SL) and IB MYP Design (Years 1–5) in an IB World School; guide DP students through their Internal Assessments, aligned with the new DP syllabus (first assessment 2027).
    • Bring engineering tools into DP Design: students model their ideas in CAD, test them with FEA simulation, then build physical prototypes and compare the results.
    • Create simulation-based, interactive lessons where students explore design concepts by testing, adjusting, and observing results.
    • Integrate TOK into DP Design units through claims, counterclaims, real cases, and a TOK journal.
    • Contributed to strong May 2026 MYP eAssessment results, with 71% of the MYP Design cohort achieving Grade 6 or 7.
    • Differentiate tasks, scaffolds, and support, and give regular feedback against IB assessment criteria.
    • Align the design cycle, practical skills, and assessment expectations across MYP and DP for a smooth MYP-to-DP transition.
    • Lead woodworking, 3D printing, and CAD-to-prototype work in the Makerspace.
    • Design MYP units on Arduino-based electronics, sustainable design, upcycled fashion, and community-centred problem solving.
    • Supervise MYP Personal Projects from problem identification and prototyping to final presentation.
  2. Leadership and departmental initiatives

    2022 – Present

    Sreenidhi International School

    • Set up the school's Design Lab / Makerspace and Robotics Lab from scratch, planning the space, equipment, and safe working routines.
    • Contributed to IB authorisation and evaluation, CIS and NEASC accreditation processes for Design.
    • Lead organiser of IGNITE, the MYP/DP Design department's annual makeathon and hackathon festival.
    • Facilitate MYP interdisciplinary units (IDUs) with colleagues from other subjects.
    • Mentor teachers as Personal Project supervisors.
    • Serve as a homeroom advisor and help prepare the school's homeroom programme.
    • Serve as ManageBac co-administrator: train teachers and manage report generation for the school.
  3. STEM Instructor (Online)

    2020 – 2022

    Byju's Future School

    • Taught live online STEM and coding lessons to students from many countries, gaining strong distance-learning experience with multicultural learners.
    • Guided students to build games, animations, chatbots, and introductory AI models using Python, JavaScript, and block-based coding.
  4. Sourcing and Technical Training

    2019 – 2020

    Awign Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru

    • Worked as part of the sourcing and technical training team at a Bengaluru-based start-up.

Education and IB training

  1. M.Tech, Design Engineering

    2025 – 2027

    BITS Pilani

  2. PGCTL – ATHE Level 6 Diploma in Teaching

    2022 – 2024

    Suraasa

  3. B.E., Electrical & Electronics Engineering

    2014 – 2018

    GSSSIETW, Visvesvaraya Technological University

  4. IB MYP Design – Category 2

    IB training

    International Baccalaureate

  5. Workshop facilitator, MYP Design

    2024

    SAIBSA

Skills

  1. (01)

    Leadership

    Lab setup and managementAccreditation (IB, CIS, NEASC)Event planning and budgetingTeacher mentoring
  2. (02)

    Technology integration

    CAD modellingFEA3D printingArduinoMechanism design and roboticsPythonHTML, CSS, JavaScriptAdobe Photoshop
  3. (03)

    Makerspace

    Woodworking and joineryMaterial selectionFabrication and prototyping
  4. (04)

    Teaching and learning

    Hands-on, inquiry-based learningDifferentiationIB assessmentMYP eAssessment and IA guidancePastoral careDistance and hybrid teaching
  5. (05)

    Systems

    ManageBac (co-admin)
  6. (06)

    Professional learning

    Using Technology for Teaching and LearningAssessment and Evaluation TechniquesLearning Theories and Teaching StrategiesQuestioning Skills and TechniquesLesson PlanningWoodworking – Level 2
  7. (07)

    Languages

    EnglishKannadaHindi

My philosophy of design

Design is a mindset, not just a skill.

Every student learns the power they hold, so inclusion becomes the norm, not an afterthought.

  1. (01)

    Design that brings dignity

    When a product shuts someone out, it quietly tells them they don't belong. A colour-blind person who can't use an app feels incapable, and that chips away at their self-esteem. Whether it's a community space or an app, good design makes everyone feel valued and makes room for everyone.

  2. (02)

    Inclusion as the default

    Inclusive design shouldn't be a special consideration added at the end. From the very first project, students learn to think and design for everyone, asking "can everyone use this?" from the first sketch.

  3. (03)

    Everything is connected

    Good designers stay aware of society, politics, and the environment, and of how they are interconnected. Every design decision touches people and the planet.

  4. (04)

    Seeing how the world works

    Design is shaped by forces far beyond the drawing board: economics, culture, politics, and the environment. When students study examples like planned obsolescence, they see how products are made to be replaced, and who pays the price. Understanding how the world runs, and the part designers play in it, shapes how they think when they design.

Teaching philosophy

The beliefs that shape how I plan, teach, and assess.

  1. (01)

    Inquiry before answers

    Students learn best when they start with a real question. I design hands-on, inquiry-based units where students investigate, test, and discover, so they learn to think critically rather than simply receive information.

    Inquiry-based learningCritical thinking
  2. (02)

    Model, test, build, compare

    I bring real engineering tools into Design. Students model their ideas in CAD, test them with FEA simulation, then build physical prototypes and compare the results, exploring concepts by adjusting and observing, not just reading about them.

    CADFEA simulationPrototyping
  3. (03)

    Design for real people

    "Don't design for a user you imagined. Design for a user you understood." User-centred and community-centred problem solving keeps every project grounded in a genuine need and connects classroom learning to the real world.

    User-centred designReal-world context
  4. (04)

    Every learner, meaningful feedback

    I differentiate tasks, scaffolds, and support for students of varying abilities, and give regular, meaningful feedback against IB assessment criteria so every student knows their next step.

    DifferentiationIB assessment
  5. (05)

    Student agency

    As a Personal Project Supervisor, I guide students through independent design investigations, from identifying a problem to prototyping and presenting, so they own their process and their decisions.

    Personal ProjectIndependence
  6. (06)

    Design that asks big questions

    I integrate Theory of Knowledge into DP Design: students take positions on design claims, analyse real cases, argue as different knowers, and build their own knowledge questions.

    TOKArgumentEthics

Recommendations

See them on LinkedIn

What school leaders and colleagues who have managed me say about working together.

"She was our true 'let's figure it out' person. I honestly don't remember hearing a 'No' from her."

Read the full recommendation

Some colleagues leave an impression because of what they do; Chaitra is someone I remember for how she showed up for the team.

I directly managed Chaitra for two years as Head of Department at Sreenidhi International School, and during that time, she consistently proved herself to be someone the team could rely on. She was our true "let's figure it out" person. I honestly don't remember hearing a "No" from her. Whenever there was a challenge, she would find a way forward, always keeping the needs of the team and our students in mind.

Chaitra was also our electronics expert, and her technical expertise became an important part of our work. Her contribution was instrumental in helping us deliver two promising units in Design, Line-Following Bots and RC Boat Making. She was always willing to troubleshoot, share her knowledge, and support others when they needed help.

One moment that particularly stands out to me was when we had a Design event that required us to stay overnight at school. Chaitra stayed back with the team, putting in the extra hours and effort to make sure everything was ready. It was a small moment, but for me, it captured exactly the kind of colleague she was, committed, dependable, and willing to go the extra mile when the team needed her.

What I also appreciated was her approach to professional growth. Chaitra never shied away from challenges. She actively looked for opportunities to learn, develop her skills, and push herself beyond what was familiar. Having directly managed her, I saw not only her technical abilities but also her work ethic, team spirit, and willingness to take ownership. Chaitra is someone who brings expertise, enthusiasm, and a genuine willingness to contribute wherever she is needed.

I am grateful our professional paths crossed, and I would genuinely be happy to work with her again. I know she will bring the same energy, curiosity, and commitment to whatever she takes on next.

Afreen ShaikhHead of Department, Sreenidhi International School · Educator specializing in Design ThinkingManaged Chaitra directly · September 2026

"She has a wonderful ability to inspire students to think critically, explore ideas, and transform their concepts into practical design solutions."

Read the full recommendation

I am pleased to recommend Chaitra, an outstanding Design Tech Teacher who demonstrates a strong commitment to student learning, creativity, and innovation.

She has a wonderful ability to inspire students to think critically, explore ideas, and transform their concepts into practical design solutions. Her approach to teaching encourages creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and independent thinking, while fostering a positive and engaging learning environment.

As an educator, she demonstrates professionalism, dedication, and a genuine passion for helping students develop their skills and reach their full potential. Her commitment to design education and nurturing students' confidence makes her a valuable asset to any school.

I would highly recommend her to any educational institution looking for a passionate, creative, and dedicated Design educator. I wish her continued success in their professional journey.

Pankaj SinghEducational Leader · IB and Cambridge Examiner · IBDP Computer Science, Design Technology and TOKManaged Chaitra directly · October 2026

"Chaitra frequently goes the extra mile to support and improve student learning."

Chaitra frequently goes the extra mile to support and improve student learning. Whether it is trips, overnight stays or extra curricular activities, she is willing and able. She is a lifelong learner who improves her skillset constantly and enables others to do so too. Chaitra is a great person to have around campus and is popular with students and teachers alike.

Malcolm NicolsonSchool Director, Pathways World SchoolManaged Chaitra directly · January 2025

Letter of appreciation · December 2024

"Your efficient planning and detailed execution of the GIC program organized by T Works (based on design thinking) have set you apart. The program's success reflects the significant impact of your dedication and meticulous work."

Recognised for coordinating student and teacher groups over four months, maintaining high standards, nurturing a positive school culture, and a commitment to continuous professional growth.

Get in touch, and let's design better learning together.

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