Khenpo Chonyi Rangdrol
Khenpo Chonyi Rangdrol joined SMD in April 2004. He is a shedra (university of higher Buddhist studies) graduate. The title "Khenpo" = Abbott and is analogous to having an MA in Buddhist philosophy.
Khenpo was once a student of SMD himself. He has travelled all over the world with Thrangu Rinpoche and is also the Principal of SMD Branch School for Small Monks. Here's what Khenpo Chonyi has to say about his appointment to SMD:
"In shedra (monastic university of higher Buddhist studies) I studied under the guidance of Thrangu Rinpoche and I had to study hard. My friends used to tell me that it's enough just to pass the exam, but I thought of the kindness of Rinpoche. This showed me the way to utilise my precious time to study hard, and thus I devoted myself to fulfilling Rinpoche's aim of helping others. I got the opportunity to become a supervisor, which developed the experience needed to become a Khenpo. It's not that easy to become a khenpo. Even after we graduate, we can't become a khenpo. First, we must give classes to the students of sherim (pre-shedra). Later I came to know we need 3 qualities to become a khenpo. They are talent, morality and compassion. So I tried my best to gains these qualities. Later I succeeded and became Khenpo.
Mostly I had no idea about being a Principal because the system is different from monastic life and education. But one day Rinpoche appointed me and my friend Tashi Wangchuk Principal and Vice-principal respectively of SMD Branch School for Small Monks at Namo Buddha where there are classes up to Class 5 only.
In the first year, it was difficult but we shared ideas and worked together. In the second year, we gained more experience and it became easier. When the time when Rinpoche appointed me as Principal of SMD main school, I said that I was too young to be Principal (Khenpo was 28) but he told me that I had enough education and experience to be Principal. So I followed his advice and became Principal when school started in April of 2004."
Simon Lama
Mr. Simon Lama is our Vice principal. He joined SMD in November 2001. Simon is Tamang (a Tibetan ethnic group within Nepal). The Vice principal's�primary responsibility is to improve the teaching and academic standards of SMD. He has also begun to shape school discipline (teachers' and kids'). Simon and his team, Head Teacher Mr. Milan Dewan and Supervisor Mr. Jhabindra Subedi make frequent classroom visits to help teachers improve their performance. Simon exudes quiet authority and he has a warm manner with the kids. Simon is good at counselling, he's managed to get a number of kids 'on track'...they simply needed someone to show that they cared.
Simon has been successful in improving the academic standing of SMD, as the results of the National Board Exams for our last graduating class (April/05) demonstrated. 100% of the SMD candidates passed, all in the First Division. The national pass rate was only 18%. Since Simon joined our staff, SMD students have begun to win scholarships for Classes 11 and 12 at prestigious overseas schools and our first two are on full scholarship in university in the states.
Shirley Blair
I've been with SMD since 1997. The mandate Rinpoche gave me was 'to make the school as good as possible'. A fundamental part of my responsibility is formulating/supervising the direction of the school. It means involvement at every level, from construction to academic operation to supervising nutrition. It means developing/implementing policy, supervising staff, creating salary schedules and contracts and negotiating agreements. It means a fair bit of 'horse trading' and troubleshooting. It's never boring.
My favourite part of this job is spending time with kids...letting them come as they wish and watching them at play ... it is a joy to see their kindness, patience and inclusiveness. When visitors spend time with us, they find themselves deeply moved by the purity of our kids' beings. Me too.
There is a lot of counselling, to instill Rinpoche's wishes in kids' hearts...helping them to understand and practice the Buddha's teachings in their daily life. At Rinpoche's suggestion, I teach on Friday nights...simple meditation...and we discuss ethics. It was out of this group of kids that the "Pink for Peace" t-shirt programme was born...SMD kids raising money for conflict-orphaned kids and putting their dibs in for peace.
I mentor kids, to help them to find their ways in this life, and encourage them to think critically and to take responsibility. Other counselling involves giving direction for higher or vocational education, or simple life skills. A bit part of the job is helping kids with scholarships...maintaining relationships with the schools and maintaining contact and counselling the 14 who are overseas. In 2006, some generous sponsors provided a travel fund so I could visit some of the kids.
The Director's job means sourcing funds, equipment and supplies and supervising their disbursement. Once or twice a year it means traveling to fundraise. It also entails involves all the PR, writing this web site, writing and designing brochures and cards, etc. I have the responsibility of supervising the sponsorship programme...which means working with the children, their families, and their sponsors. I communicate with sponsors and donors all over the world, in 30 countries.
