Author Archives: lakshmitamil

Lakshmi Shankar, Founder & Principal

Lakshmi’s academic background includes a Master of Arts in English Literature from Ethiraj College, University of Madras, India. She demonstrates a keen interest in languages, most notably Tamil. Her commitment to lifelong learning is evident in her pursuit of computer networking studies in Atlanta, undertaken after her move to the United States.

For over 15 years, Lakshmi single-handedly taught Tamil to aspiring students with unwavering dedication. In her early years of teaching, she researched various teaching methodologies to facilitate easier learning and developed her own unique style for beginner classes. Her approach focuses on teaching groups of letters and immediately applying them to word formation.

Similarly, Lakshmi dedicated considerable time to researching and standardizing syllabi for various grade levels. She introduced several innovative concepts, including application-based knowledge testing, listening comprehension exercises, and speech/essay topics that explored both historical culture and current affairs.

One of Lakshmi’s notable achievements was teaching Tamil to a group of Emory University students who subsequently won scholarships for a research project in India.

Raji Ramachandran, Assistant Principal

Raji Ramachandran, Assistant Principal

Raji, an electronics engineering graduate from MIT, Anna University, India, currently works as a software professional in Atlanta. A native Tamil speaker with a natural aptitude for the language and teaching, she volunteered to tutor students from diverse backgrounds even during her school years.

Raji has served Lakshmi Tamil School in various capacities since 2003. Her most notable and innovative contribution has been the development of teaching materials for the beginner class, including workbooks and numerous PowerPoint presentations designed to enhance students’ vocabulary and cognitive skills.

Raji also contributes significantly to administrative tasks, assisting the principal with various responsibilities such as class scheduling, student enrollment, teacher selection, and book procurement. She enjoys organizing programs and is largely responsible for planning and overseeing school events like annual days and competitions.