Our Presenters
Heeru Bhojwani
Heeru Bhojwani is a seasoned K–12 librarian, information curator, and coach with a mission to transform school libraries into dynamic learning hubs. She champions the role of librarians as facilitators of inquiry, guiding students and educators through both print and digital landscapes to access credible, timely information. As the founder of the Liferarian Association and co-creator of Read Bloom Books, Heeru fosters professional collaboration and literacy development within diverse educational communities. Her work reflects a commitment to inclusivity, critical thinking, and the evolving needs of global learners.
Ethical Use Of AI
This interactive workshop explores the ethical implications of using AI in school libraries. Participants will examine key concerns such as data privacy, intellectual property, misinformation, and bias in AI tools. Through case studies and discussion, librarians will reflect on responsible integration of AI in research, teaching, and collection development—ensuring its use aligns with library values and learner well-being.
Ketki Bedekar
Ketki Bedekar is a passionate PYP Teacher Librarian who believes in nurturing a love for reading among young learners. Deeply connected to Indian literature, she finds joy and meaning in stories rooted in her culture. Beyond books, she enjoys traveling, discovering new places, and experimenting with cooking. Recently, she has developed a strong interest in educational technology and is enthusiastic about integrating digital tools into her library sessions to enhance student engagement. With a dynamic approach to teaching and a love for lifelong learning, Ms. Ketki strives to make the library a vibrant and inclusive space for exploration and creativity.
Game Based Learning in the Library
This interactive workshop is designed to inspire librarians to use games as powerful learning tools in school libraries. Participants will explore a range of games—both digital and physical—that can be used to teach research skills, encourage reading, build vocabulary, and foster collaboration among students. From Book Bingo to Dewey Decimal challenges, and from storytelling dice to online quizzes, the workshop will showcase practical, adaptable games for various age groups and learning goals. Attendees will engage in hands-on activities, learn how to design their own library games, and leave with ready-to-use resources. The session will also include a discussion on how to align games with curriculum standards and integrate them into library programming effectively.
Kuntal Bhandare
Kuntal Bhandare is the Extended Essay Coordinator and Librarian at Oberoi International School, JVLR, Mumbai. With over 22 years of experience in library management and education—including 15 years within the IB curriculum, she is passionate about fostering research skills, managing dynamic library systems, and mentoring both students and teachers. As an EE Coordinator, she has guided numerous students through successful research journeys. Kuntal is also a core member of the Liferarian Association, a professional network dedicated to empowering school librarians and supporting IB learning communities.
Power of Genrefication in School Libraries
This workshop explores the transformative potential of genrefying both fiction and nonfiction collections in school libraries. Designed for primary and secondary educators, this session delves into how genreification meets the diverse needs of students by improving accessibility, engagement, and independent discovery. Participants will gain insights into the benefits of this approach and walk away with a roadmap for implementing genreification effectively within their own contexts.
Nita Luthria
Nita graduated from Bombay University with a degree in English Literature and also studied Spanish. After moving to Mumbai, she took up a teaching role at Bombay International School in 2010. She led the IB Diploma Programme and in 2017, she was appointed as the Head of Junior School and taught English Language Arts to upper primary. An avid reader herself, the library was her favorite place in the school. Her goal was to ensure that the children grew up loving reading and writing.
In her role as Director, Adhyayan Foundation, she oversees the Read-Aloud and Library programs in Karnataka (pan-state), Goa, and Maharashtra (Kalyan-Dombivli). She and Heeru Bhojwani were commissioned by H T Parekh Foundation to design a rubric for libraries and they have reviewed libraries across the country. She also co-anchors Librarians of India with Nirupama Kaushik and Apeksha Harsh.
Character & Compassion : Through Children's Literature
In this workshop, we will explore how to use stories to develop social-emotional skills that help children navigate this complex world we live in to become better human beings.
Rozmeen Saifee
Rozmeen Saifee was a Teacher Librarian cum Resource Curator for PYP Years at JBCN International School, Parel, Mumbai for over a decade. She has earlier taught the primary, secondary and senior secondary & has currently moved into her new role of being the Reading & Literacy Coach for the PYP. She extensively manages the the Reading Program for the PYP years. In her current role she acts as an information provider, reading & resource consultant, curriculum activist, storyteller, and most importantly a teacher. Through her reading & stories she teaches & supports critical & creative thinking skills in children. She also works collaboratively with the department heads & teachers to plan and teach in order to develop and implement curriculum and to try new teaching strategies.
Seeing Beyond Words
Enhancing reading comprehension and fostering critical thinking through visual texts.
Description: Unlocking the power of visuals – We shall explore how visual texts like images, infographics, and multimedia can enhance reading comprehension, foster critical thinking, and spark inquiry. Through practical strategies and hands-on activities, discover ways to decode and analyze visuals while connecting them to your inquiry-based teaching.
Sanjukta Sikder
Sanjukta Sikder is an experienced IBDP Secondary Teacher Librarian and Literacy Researcher at JBCN International School, Oshiwara, Mumbai. With over 15 years of experience in international and national board schools, she is passionate about fostering a vibrant learning community. Sanjukta specializes in curating diverse resources, collaborating with educators to enhance teaching and learning, and providing personalized support to empower students in their academic pursuits.
As a JBCN Master Trainer, Sanjukta facilitates professional development sessions for teachers and librarians, sharing her expertise and innovative approaches. An AI enthusiast, she is deeply interested in exploring the integration of emerging technologies in education.
Research Skills for the Real World
This 60-minute session will help librarians with practical strategies to teach and support research skills in secondary classrooms. The focus will be on helping learners develop inquiry questions, use smart search techniques, evaluate sources critically, and cite correctly using a digital tool to avoid plagiarism.
Shraddha Goyal
Shraddha holds a Diploma in Applied Art from Sophia Polytechnic and an ECCEd certification from Shikshaa. Currently, she serves as a Teacher Librarian at LAIS, where she has been teaching Art and English Creative Writing and leading Literature Circles for the past seven years.
Previously, she taught Math, English, History, and interdisciplinary Themes at Shishuvan and ABWA. In addition to her work at LAIS, she has been teaching Creative Writing online for the past seven years, working with children worldwide.
Passionate about children’s literature, she has read extensively in this field over the last decade. She has also conducted engaging storytelling sessions integrating drama, language development, and fun follow-up activities.
Do Doodle
This workshop will focus on how to use doodles to create book summaries and mind maps.
Sheela Tonny & Sunita Monteiro
Sunita is a Teacher Librarian at JBCN International School, Borivali. She has done
MA by Research in Anthropology & Master’s in Library and Information Science.
She has 22 years of school librarian experience and has not only initiated several events to foster the reading habit but also supported learners’ research skills through Information literacy and supported the curriculum. She has coordinated the Peek A Book Children’s Literature Festival at her school and offered the Scholastic Internship Program to AS-level learners. Library resources are creatively utilised during the library sessions to enhance the learners’ problem-solving skills and creativity. She appreciates learners’ reading achievement every month with creative handmade rewards. She actively coordinates the Inter JBCN Book Quiz, ‘What’s Your Book Quotient?’. She enjoys creating Maker Spaces on different topics in the library to support the curriculum and engage learners in creative and intellectual hands-on activities.
Ms. Sheela is a Teacher Librarian at JBCN International School, Borivali. She has a BSc. Zoology, B.Lib, M.Lib, and IC3 Empower
Passionate Literacy Advocate with 14 years of experience nurturing a love for reading and lifelong learning in young minds, particularly among primary learners. She actively curates engaging, theme-based resources to support classroom instruction and independent reading. She is also a part of dynamic book clubs that foster discussion, critical thinking, and a deeper connection with literature. She has mentored learners for the National Jarul Book Awards. She also provides career counseling and mentoring to students, guiding them to explore their strengths, interests, and future learning pathways.
Technopoiesis: Oneness with Stories
A concept developed by Dr. Coomi S. Vevaina. The objective of this workshop describes how
stories can stimulate union of left brain and right brain subjects; i.e. S.T.E.M subjects with the humanities. Stories will be looked at from intellectual, emotional
and a well-structured outline using the visible thinking routines and other thinking strategies.
