Akira

Our Team

Our Team consists of Office staff, Special Educators and an in-house Occupational Therapist.

All staff at Akira undergo continuous training and monitoring by Akira management & the Madras Dyslexia Association (M.D.A.). The teachers attend M.D.A.’s Intensive Teacher Training course and are periodically monitored throughout the year.

Our team is well equipped with the latest research-supported best practices and professional development in the field of Dyslexia and other Language-based learning difficulties.

For many years, children have been perceived as slow or tagged as non-performers with low IQs. When in actuality, these children were Dyslexic. Dyslexic children are intelligent, with average to above average IQs. People with Dyslexia are commonly misjudged and labeled as lazy or defiant. This is absolutely incorrect. They can understand, but through different and non-traditional mediums. Each have their strengths and weaknesses and are extremely unique.

Some of the most brilliant minds in the world are that of Dyslexics. Bill Gates, John F. Kennedy, Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Abhishek Bachchan, Leonardo DaVinci and Pablo Picasso to name a few. They not only managed their learning difficulties but went on to achieve great heights. They are proof that if children with difficulties are supported rather than overlooked, they can go on to not only be successful enough, but to really make a mark for themselves and change the world. A Dyslexic mind is able to process information differently. This is why they often display special talents in areas that require high levels of visual, spatial and motor integration. They therefore excel in fields of all kinds of designing, architecture, visual communication, direction, innovation, art and sports.

Dyslexia often gets termed as a disability when in actual fact it is merely a difficulty. At Akira by St. Andrews, we want to help bring awareness to Dyslexia and break stigma around learning difficulties.

Over the years of Akira, I have seen my students leave Akira with a greater skill set and ability in their academics. But most importantly, they are happier and more confident. To me, this is a greater achievement. Every child is unique and deserves to have their needs met. I believe in adapting our way of thinking, functioning and imparting education in whichever ways best suit each individual child that enters Akira.

“If a child cannot learn the way we teach, we must teach the way they learn".

Alana M. Emanuel

Director
Akira by St. Andrews

Over the last 38 years as Managing Director of the St. Andrews Schools, it is a privilege for me to have seen the school grow from a tiny rented property to the five sprawling campuses across Hyderabad and Bangalore. And needless to say, that this has no doubt given me immense satisfaction and a sense of pride of what we have been able to achieve over the past four decades. Having said that, what has given me even more satisfaction is the way Akira has blossomed. It has indeed changed the lives of children with Dyslexia. Until recently, we were made to believe that children with Dyslexia were not up to the mark academically, nor were they competent enough to fit into a conventional classroom, in short they were sadly termed as not being intelligent.

But with the advancement of science, we now know, that this is entirely not true. In fact, it was our limited knowledge that branded them as unintelligent. When in reality, these bright kids are differently abled. It is to the credit of schools like Akira that changed this perception. I am hugely proud of Akira for what it has done to change the lives for the better, of several children, their parents, and their families. It has proved beyond doubt, that these kids are in no way inferior to the other children that attend conventional schools. Academics, and the way we address it, is not for all kids, each of our children have different skills. In fact, children with Dyslexia are super bright and Akira has brought this out in each of the children under its care. I am so pleased at what this School has done and continues to do for children with Dyslexia.

The smiling faces of our parents, are a testimony of the positive change in the attitude and the learning abilities of their children. As for the kids, they just love to come to school. What more can one ask for?

Dyslexia is not a disease, or a handicap that one should be afraid, or be ashamed off. It is just, that the child has to be taught in a different methodology, especially keeping in mind, that these kids are as intelligent as any other. In fact, many of them are geniuses. Steve Jobs, Einstein and so many other super successful people have dyslexia. Today, Akira is the only full fledged institution in Telangana offering remediation to children with dyslexia, and I am so proud to state, that it is doing a stellar job in uplifting these kids who are sadly misunderstood. Akira as you must know, is a not for profit organisation, and though small in its community, its stands head and shoulders above all the other conventional schools under my care. It is a feather in the cap of St. Andrews and I stand grateful for what they do for our misunderstood kids of our country. God Bless Akira and may it grow even more, in not just changing the lives of children, who have dyslexia, but their parents and friends too.

Hyacinth Emanuel

Managing Director
St. Andrews School

Special education is the practice of educating students in a way that accommodates their individual differences, disabilities, and special needs.

At Akira by St. Andrews, we believe that every child deserves a supportive environment that fosters academic, social and emotional growth. We provide specialized education, therapy and services that enhance their unique strengths and talents. We endeavour to augment the overall well-being and happiness of students by creating a safe, accessible, non-threatening and engaging learning environment. We celebrate every success, no matter how small and remind them that they are capable of great things.

Our area of specialization lies in teaching children with learning difficulties arising due to Dyslexia. Teaching strategies using multisensory approaches empower these children to cope with academics and not get left behind. Dyslexia is not a disability but a different way of processing information and this in itself could turn out to be a strength. People with Dyslexia are known to have unique strengths in creativity, problem-solving ideas and intuition, which help them think outside the box.

Our school is more than just a place of learning; it is a place where students feel understood, supported and encouraged to embrace their individuality. We also strive to build strong relationships with families, ensuring that together we create a partnership that will guide each child toward success. It is indeed my privilege to be a part of their learning journey.

“Fairness is not giving everyone the same thing, fairness is giving each person what they need to succeed.”

Suju Jacob

Principal