About Us

Founders of The Walden School (formerly The Magnet School) are individuals who have found learning through research, spirituality, self-awareness and by creating unique opportunities for learning beyond the structural, curricular, conceptual, and physical confines of conventional schooling.

Some of the questions that lead to the founding of The Walden School include:

What constitutes an effective and powerful learning experience in the 21st century?
How do we best prepare young people for a future that is hard to imagine?
How do we teach for the kind of deep understanding that requires learners to solve complex problems?
How do we ensure that the work we do is ethical, excellent and engaging?
How can the contemporary classroom become a catalyst for learners to become the leaders of tomorrow?
How do we encourage students to fall in love with learning?

As we examine the shifting terrain of education, it is essential to be responsive to complex social developments and to create learning experiences that are engaging and exciting for all learners.

We looked at various frameworks and tools that enable us to look at teaching analytically, developed new approaches to teaching. We explored ways to deepen student engagement; encourage learners to think critically and creatively; and make learning and thinking visible.

Our Inspiration

J. Krishnamurti

Jiddu Krishnamurti is regarded globally as one of the greatest thinkers and religious teachers of all time. He did not expound any philosophy or religion, but rather talked of the things that concern all of us in our everyday lives, of the problems of living in modern society with its violence and corruption, of the individual’s search for security and happiness, and the need for mankind to free itself from inner burdens of fear, anger, hurt, and sorrow. He explained with great precision the subtle workings of the human mind and pointed to the need for bringing to our daily life a deeply meditative and spiritual quality.

Education was always one of Krishnamurti’s chief concerns. He felt that if only the young and the old could be awakened to their conditioning – of nationality, religion, prejudices, fears, and desires – they might bring to their lives a totally different quality with a much deeper understanding of the forces that give rise to conflict.

Founding Team

Sujana Reddy

Sujana holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics and Economics from Virginia Tech University. Before founding The Walden School, Sujana worked in World Trade Organization, Geneva and as Associate Director for Executive Education at Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.

Sivaram Manchireddy

Sivaram is a Spiritual guide, Social reformer and Educationist. Sivaram worked at Rishi Valley School in the 70’s and founded the Rishi Valley Rural Education Centre. His innovative teaching approach at Srujana School in Pallipadu, Nellore are documented in the book, A School Under Trees – An Ashram School and A Journey With Children. Sri Sivaram has inspired many young educators to start alternative schools and resource centres in Andhra Pradesh. His writings and journals are published in Telugu by Manchi Pustakam.