As the principal of San Jose’s Guru Nanak Khalsa School since 1992, Pushpinder Kaur, has witnessed her program grow from a small classroom to over 700 students who come from near and far to attend a breadth of programs including Punjabi language, Gurmat studies, kirtan, public speaking, Sikh history and philosophy. A pioneer in her own right, Kaur went from teaching Punjabi in 1989 to running the entire school in 1992. “I was called principal off and on by students and teachers, but I kept on denying the title,” Kaur humbly said. “I always said, ‘I am one of the 100 teachers.’” “Twenty-five years ago I started to teach penti akhri to a few children,” she explains. “I was raising two young children and working on a Master’s Degree in teaching English as a second language. I realized, what I was learning to teach English could be used to teach Punjabi as a second language.” Kaur created the Stepping Stones PSL (Punjabi as a second language program) curriculum which is being used in schools across the United States, Canada and Australia. The educator said she receives calls each year from other gurdwaras who wish to start new schools, or improve existing ones. She has helped start and run over 50 schools. “We are very fortunate to have been in this place and environment to have started GNKS and developed it to be a role model to be followed in terms of curriculum and organizational structure,” Kaur explained. 
Kaur has not only been a role model for Gurdwaras and parents for many years (she is the mother of Sikh American lawyer Tejinder Singh—who recently presented a case in front of the Supreme Court—and a doctor, Tejkiran Lilly Kaur), but serves as an example for Sikh women as well. “I’m not sure if I’m qualified to give advice, but I would say: Don’t give up on yourself. Value yourself, your dignity, and your body. Cherish yourself because you are a gift, and more capable than the world would every want you to know.” As a teacher, Kaur also spoke about the importance of programs like SALDEF’s SikhLEAD educational initiatives, LDP (Leadership Development Program) and the Internship Program. “Sikhs are born leaders. Leadership should arise from within- from knowing yourself, your cultural and religious heritage, [and] your language. You can be an awesome American if you are an awesome Sikh first. Learn all there is yourself and then go eradicate the darkness of ignorance about Sikhs.” Want to know more about Principal Pushpinder Kaur? Find out why this teacher’s conversations are “awesome,” what advice she would give her 20-year-old self, and the motto she lives by everyday…
- What is your idea of happiness? Holding my grandson
- What person do you most admire? My son-for being an amazing Sikh and an awesome human being
- What is your greatest regret? Giving grief to my parents when I was young
- What is your most admired virtue? Truthfulness
- What characteristic do you most deplore? Being an introvert (in myself), being untruthful (in others)
- What is your motto? Do my best in everything I do!
- If you could change one thing about your children what would it be? Give them value of money
- When and where are you happiest? When I am creating teaching materials
- What is your most treasured possession? My family- both sides
- Who are the heroes of your life? Guru Nanak, my mother and father
- What phrases or words do you overuse? Awesome!
- What do you consider your greatest achievement? Raising two fabulous children, and creating Stepping Stones PSL books
- What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self? Work harder, listen to parents
- What do you most value in your friends? Truthfulness in relationship
- Where would you most like to live? A village in Punjab