“Apeejay School, Saket was home”

Long before she found her professional calling in the field of education, Nancy Khanna was a student navigating classrooms, dance practices, and badminton matches at Apeejay School, Saket. She fondly remembers her school years as warm, joyful, and full of support. In this nostalgic conversation, Nancy revisits her days in uniform—the subjects she loved, the teachers who shaped her, and how her school subtly prepared her for life.

Which subjects fascinated you most in school—and which ones gave you a hard time?

I absolutely loved Hindi and Sanskrit. They came naturally to me, and I often scored the highest in those subjects. Mathematics, on the other hand, was quite tough. But I never felt discouraged—my teachers kept supporting me despite my struggles.

You’re now working in the literacy sector, so in a way, you’re living out your Hindi teachers’ legacy.
That’s true, and I hope I’m making them proud. The love I received in those classes certainly stayed with me and probably led me here, even if I didn’t realise it back then.

What extracurricular activities did you enjoy during school?
I was part of the school badminton team and played at zonal levels. I was also involved in music and dance activities. These things gave me a break from studies and helped me express myself in different ways.

What kind of bond did you share with your teachers?
It was very personal and nurturing. I still remember my Maths and English teachers from both primary and senior school—they treated us with so much care. Our school was like an extended family, and teachers were more like mentors or second mothers.

Do you think your school years planted the seeds for your current work in education?
Yes, in many ways. Back then, I didn’t realise it, but the care, patience, and encouragement I got shaped how I see children today. I believe no child should be given up on, no matter how slow their progress. That empathy came from Apeejay Saket. I think the values were subtly built into our everyday school life. It was more about how we were treated and the emotional environment we grew up in.

Please briefly walk us through your work at Room to Read India Trust. 

I am a Programme Officer with Room to Read India Trust, which focuses on literacy and gender equality. I’m primarily involved in the literacy vertical. I work with classes 1 and 2 in government schools across various states. My job involves designing teaching-learning materials for teachers and students and creating systems that support early literacy in classrooms.

What advice would you give current students at Apeejay Saket?
Appreciate the environment you have. Learn to be kind and inclusive. These qualities, more than anything else, will help you grow—not just in school, but in life.