Driven by a vision to shape responsible citizens, Dr. Isabel Swamy has been guiding, mentoring and teaching students of her school for over 33 years. She has been inspiring young minds through value-based education and serving society as a dedicated Rotary Club member.

Dr. Isabel Swamy is the Founder, Chairperson and Principal of St. Mary Champion Higher Secondary School, Indore– an institution that has become one of the city's most respected and prominent CBSE schools.

Established in 1992 by Dr. Isabel Swamy and her husband S.L. Swamy, the school was born from a shared dream of providing quality education while nurturing responsible, ethical, and confident citizens. What started with only a nursery class has now become a higher secondary school and completed 33 years of educational excellence, becoming a trusted name among parents and students of Indore.

Today, the institution functions through two campuses. The original campus is dedicated to primary classes, while the second campus offers CBSE education from Nursery to Class XII. Together, the school educates nearly 1,500 students with the support of approximately 70 dedicated teaching and non-teaching staff members.

Veteran Educator Dr. Swamy firmly believes that education is not merely about academic excellence but about building character, discipline, honesty, and moral values. Her vision has always been to create good human beings before creating successful professionals. This philosophy is reflected in the school's guiding motto, "Will, Work & Win," which teaches students that strong determination, sincere effort, and perseverance ultimately lead to success.

Another unique philosophy practiced throughout the institution is H²D – Honesty, Hard Work, and Discipline. Dr. Isabel Swamy often compares these three principles to water, explaining that just as H₂O is essential for life, Honesty, Hard Work, and Discipline are essential for building a successful life. Every activity, academic program, and co-curricular initiative within the school is designed around these values.

Apart from academic leadership, Dr. Swamy considers education to be one of the greatest forms of social service. Through the school, she has supported financially challenged students by helping them continue their education, enabling many of them to achieve successful careers. She believes that true education should transform lives and contribute positively to society.

Her service extends beyond the school campus as well. Along with her husband, she joined a Rotary Club in 2020, believing that organized service can reach far more people than individual efforts. She currently serves as the President of Rotary Club of Indore Adarsh for the 2026–2027 term, where she intends to initiate impactful projects in education, healthcare, environmental conservation, women's empowerment, literacy, community development, and humanitarian service.

Although Dr. Isabel Swamy is now recognized as one of Indore's respected educationists, her career in education was completely unexpected. She had never imagined becoming a teacher or running a school. Her original ambition was to pursue a career in the corporate sector. However, life had different plans.

After completing her graduation and B.Ed., she married S.L. Swamy in 1985, and moved from Pondicherry to Indore. Everything in Indore was unfamiliar for her, the language, the culture, the traditions, the food, and the lifestyle. Adjusting to an entirely new city was itself a major challenge.

Her husband, however, had always nurtured a dream of establishing an educational institution where children could receive quality education while developing strong moral values. Observing his dedication and passion gradually inspired Dr. Swamy to become a part of this vision. Although education was never her planned profession, she chose to walk alongside her husband and dedicate herself to this noble mission.

Their dream finally became a reality in 1992, when they established St. Mary School in a small rented house. The beginning was extremely humble. The school consisted of just one nursery classroom, one teacher, and only two students. There were financial uncertainties, administrative challenges, and the enormous responsibility of earning parents' trust. Starting a new school without any established reputation required patience, commitment, and unwavering confidence.

However, Founder-Principal Dr. Isabel Swamy believed that every great story begins with small steps. Instead of expanding rapidly, the founders adopted a thoughtful approach. Rather than opening all classes simultaneously, they decided to grow one class every year. Their objective was not simply increasing student numbers but ensuring that the same group of children grew within the school's culture, values, and discipline. This gradual expansion also strengthened parents' confidence in the institution.

Their sincerity and commitment quickly earned the trust of families. By the end of the very first academic year, the school had already grown from 2 students to 45 students, proving that quality education always finds recognition.

Initially, the institution was affiliated to the State Board. For many years, Dr. Swamy and her team worked tirelessly toward achieving their dream of becoming a CBSE-affiliated school. Their efforts were finally rewarded in 2010, when the school officially transitioned to the CBSE curriculum.

For Dr. Isabel Swamy, this was much more than an administrative achievement, it represented years of perseverance, dedication, and continuous improvement. It became a proud milestone for the founders, teachers, students, and parents who had believed in the institution since its earliest days.

Today, after more than three decades of growth, St. Mary Champion Higher Secondary School stands as one of Indore's leading educational institutions, producing students who have excelled across diverse professions in India and abroad.

Dr. Isabel Swamy was born in Pondicherry into a humble family. She completed her primary education at St. Mary's School, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, and later pursued her graduation at Auxilium College, Katpadi, Vellore. After graduation and after completing her Bachelor of Education, she married in 1985 and settled permanently in Indore.

She was the youngest among six siblings, and life tested her from the very beginning. When she was just one year old, she lost her father. Her mother became both mother and father to six children. Despite being illiterate, having no inherited wealth, and facing enormous financial hardships, her mother remained determined to educate every child. Through sacrifice, courage, and unwavering determination, she ensured that each of her children established respectable careers. One sister became a nurse and later a nun, achieving university distinction while dedicating her life to social service. Another sister became a teacher and eventually settled in France. Another sister continued serving as a teacher in Pondicherry. One brother became an auditor, another established a bakery business, while one brother sadly passed away.

Watching her mother's extraordinary resilience shaped Dr. Swamy's own philosophy of life. She learned that true success depends not on wealth or privilege but on determination, values, and education. Even after living in North India for more than 42 years, she proudly embraces both South Indian and North Indian cultures, considering Indore her home.

Dr. Isabel Swamy credits three major influences for shaping her personality. The greatest inspiration in her life is her mother, whose courage and sacrifices taught her the meaning of resilience, selflessness, and determination. Despite having no education herself, her mother transformed the future of six children through the power of education.

Her second role model is her husband, S.L. Swamy, whose lifelong passion for education inspired the establishment of St. Mary School. His encouragement helped her enter a profession she had never initially considered.

During her college years, one of her lecturers, Mrs. Asunta Selvum, became another important influence. Dr. Swamy recalls participating in a dance performance during her final year of college. Although she loved dancing, she lacked confidence. Mrs. Selvum encouraged her to believe in herself and perform fearlessly. This experience shaped her own educational philosophy of encouraging every student to discover and nurture their hidden talents.

She also acknowledges Father Alengarden, a dedicated social worker whose commitment to serving society inspired her to actively participate in Rotary and community development.

Dr. Isabel Swamy's life has been filled with numerous personal and professional challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was language. Coming from Tamil Nadu, she knew very little Hindi when she arrived in Indore. Communicating with parents, teachers, and students was initially difficult. However, instead of allowing language to become an obstacle, she embraced it as a learning opportunity. With the help of her students, parents, and constant practice, she became fluent in Hindi within three to four years.

Starting a school with only two students required extraordinary patience. Building credibility in a new city where the founders themselves were newcomers demanded continuous hard work. Every admission represented the trust of a family, and every academic year required proving that trust once again.

There were moments of uncertainty, financial pressure, and operational difficulties. Yet she never allowed temporary setbacks to weaken her commitment. She firmly believes that success is never achieved overnight. Every achievement is the result of consistent effort, honesty, discipline, and perseverance.

Dr. Isabel Swamy's greatest achievement lies in transforming a humble beginning into one of Indore's most respected educational institutions. What started in 1992 as a small nursery school in a rented house with just two students and one teacher has today grown into St. Mary Champion Higher Secondary School, a renowned CBSE institution that has successfully completed 33 years of educational excellence. Her unwavering commitment, along with the support of her husband S.L. Swamy has enabled the school to become a trusted name among thousands of families.

Under her leadership, the institution has expanded into two campuses, one dedicated to primary classes only and the other offering CBSE education from Nursery to Class XII. Today, the school educates nearly 1,500 students with the support of around 70 dedicated staff members, creating an environment where academic excellence is balanced with strong moral values, discipline, and character building.

One of the most significant milestones in the school's path came in 2010, when it successfully transitioned from the State Board to the CBSE Board. This achievement was the result of years of persistent effort and was celebrated not only by the founders but also by the students, parents, and teachers who had believed in the institution's vision from its earliest days.

Over the past three decades, Dr. Swamy has guided and mentored thousands of students, many of whom are now working successfully across India and abroad in diverse professional fields. She considers their achievements to be the true success of the institution, as they continue to carry forward the values of honesty, discipline, compassion, and hard work that were instilled in them during their school years.

Her contribution extends far beyond the classroom. Through the school, she has consistently supported financially disadvantaged students, ensuring that economic challenges do not become obstacles to education. Many of these students have completed their education and gone on to establish successful careers, making this one of the most fulfilling aspects of her path.

As an active member of Rotary Club Indore Adarsh since 2020, she has worked extensively in the Focus Areas of Rotary such as Maternal and Child Healthcare, Literacy, Environmental Conservation, Community Development, Women's Empowerment, Cancer Awareness, Village Development, and Senior Citizen Welfare.

As a dedicated Rotarian, she has actively participated in annual plantation drives, contributing to the planting of more than 100 trees across different locations. Through the Jyestha Care initiative, she and her Rotary team regularly visit old-age homes to support and care for elderly citizens. She has also taken part in village adoption programs, awareness campaigns for women and health, blood donation initiatives, literacy projects, and numerous community development activities aimed at creating a lasting positive impact on society.

Now, as the elected President of the Club for the year 2026–2027, Dr. Swamy intends to significantly expand her social service initiatives, inspired by Rotary's motto, "Service Above Self".

For Dr. Isabel Swamy, every milestone is measured not by awards or recognition but by the lives she has touched through education and service. She believes her greatest accomplishment is building an institution that not only imparts knowledge but also shapes responsible citizens who contribute meaningfully to society, making her life's story a true example of leadership, perseverance, and selfless service.

St. Mary Champion Higher Secondary School Indore Founder- Chairperson Dr. Isabel Swamy believes that parents play the most important role in shaping a child's future, but this responsibility should be guided by understanding rather than pressure.

She advises parents not to impose their own unfulfilled dreams upon their children. Every child possesses unique abilities, interests, and talents. Instead of forcing career choices based on family traditions or social expectations, parents should observe their children's strengths, encourage their passions, and allow them to choose careers they genuinely love. According to her, when children pursue their interests wholeheartedly, they naturally excel and contribute meaningfully to society.

St. Mary Champion School Principal Dr. Isabel Swamy’s message extends beyond parenting to every citizen of the country. She encourages people not to spend their energy criticizing the nation but to ask themselves how they can contribute to its progress. Whether through education, healthcare, environmental protection, or social service, every individual has the ability to create positive change.

Reflecting on the unity witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, she believes that collective effort has the power to transform society. She reminds everyone that no contribution is too small because every great journey begins with a single step.

Her life philosophy can be summed up in one simple belief- Your deeds speak louder than your words. With honesty, hard work, discipline, and a sincere desire to serve others, every individual can create lasting change for society and the nation.