Eric Ayrault has spent more than three decades in education. His journey has taken him across continents, classrooms, and communities. Through it all, one theme stands out: a deep commitment to helping students grow.“For me, teaching is about connection,” Ayrault says. “If students feel seen, known, and challenged, they rise.”He grew up in Kirkland, Washington. His early life was shaped by education and athletics. His father led Lakeside School, where Ayrault studied from grade 5 through 12. Outside the classroom, he played football, basketball, lacrosse, and raced whitewater kayaks. He also developed a passion for the outdoors, working for both his high school’s outdoor program and Outward Bound.After high school, he traveled to Kenya and taught physics in a local school.“That experience changed everything,” he says. “It showed me how powerful education can be in any setting.  It also made me see I could teach and travel the world, so my career plan was set.”

Harvard Education and International Experience

Ayrault went on to attend Harvard University. He studied history and completed coursework for teaching certification. He also rowed crew, continuing a family legacy in the sport, and climbed in the mountains of New Hampshire with the Harvard Mountaineering Club.After graduating, he began teaching full-time. His early career included international roles in Tanzania, France, and Italy. These experiences shaped his approach to education.“Teaching in different countries forces you to adapt,” he explains. “You learn quickly that students are different, but the core needs are the same.”He later earned a master’s degree in speech communication from the University of Washington. This added depth to his work in the classroom, especially in helping students express themselves clearly.

Building a Long-Term Career in Education

Over the years, Ayrault worked in both public and private schools across the United States. He taught English and supported programs focused on student achievement and college readiness.His work has always centered on communication and student engagement.“I try to meet students where they are,” he says. “You have to understand what motivates them before you can teach them.  Good teaching starts with listening.”His long career has given him a front-row seat to how education has evolved. One of the biggest changes has been the role of technology in students’ lives.

How Cell Phones and Social Media Affect Students

Ayrault has become a strong voice on the impact of technology in schools. He sees both the benefits, but is more concerned now with the negative effects in reading, attention, and mental health.“I saw the shift happen,” he says. “Cell phones, social media, and games started to take over students’ attention.”He points out that constant access to devices can make it harder for students to stay focused.“Students are not just competing with each other anymore,” he says. “They are competing with an entire digital world in their pocket.”Social media, in particular, has changed how students see themselves.“Students compare themselves all day long,” he says. “That creates pressure that didn’t exist before.”He also notes how games are designed to keep users engaged for long periods.“They are built to keep you hooked,” he explains. “That makes it hard for students to focus on long-term goals like school.”   Ayrault says everyone should read The Anxious Generation by Johnathan Haidt, and has all of his students access those ideas through podcasts in class. 

Beyond the Classroom: Outdoor Education and Mentorship

Ayrault’s work has not been limited to traditional classrooms. He has also taught skiing in Colorado and earned certifications in outdoor education, including Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician training.“I’ve always liked working outside the classroom too,” he says. “I love it, and it gives students a different way to learn.”These experiences allowed him to connect with students in new ways. Outdoor settings often bring out different strengths and build confidence.He has also stayed active in his communities. He volunteered with programs supporting underserved students in California and worked with local shelters in Colorado.“Teaching doesn’t stop at the classroom door,” he says. “It’s about helping people grow wherever you can.”

A Broad Perspective on Modern Education

With experience across multiple countries and school systems, Ayrault brings a wide perspective to education today.“I’ve taught in many places,” he says. “The challenges are different, but the goal is always the same—help students succeed.”He believes the key is balance. Technology, structure, and human connection all play a role.“We need better boundaries,” he says. “Students need structure, both at school and at home.”His focus remains on helping students develop skills that go beyond academics.“It’s not just about grades,” he says. “It’s about preparing students for life.”

What’s Next for Eric Ayrault

Today, Eric Ayrault is focused on building the next chapter of his career with the same energy he has brought to teaching for decades. He is exploring new opportunities where his experience in education, communication, and mentorship can make an impact.“There are so many ways to help students and communities, both inside and outside the classroom.”He is especially interested in roles that allow him to speak, mentor, and share his perspective on modern education. His insights on technology, student focus, and learning environments continue to resonate with parents and educators alike.“I’ve seen how much things have changed,” he says. “Now I want to be part of helping people navigate those changes.”With a global background and years of hands-on experience, Ayrault is well-positioned to contribute in new ways. Whether through teaching, advising, or community work, his focus remains steady.“At the end of the day,” he says, “it’s still about helping people grow. That’s what drives me.”

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UK-based Vodafone Plc, which owns a 19% stake in Vodafone Idea, is considering transferring part of its shareholding to the company itself for the Indian telco to hold in its treasury, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. It added that the share transfer would take place instead of Vodafone injecting more cash into the Indian business.

This move could boost the balance sheet of the loss-making Vodafone Idea, and help its current efforts to raise debt, Bloomberg further quoted its sources as saying. Following the transfer of shares, Vodafone Idea could then sell the shares at a later date, which would in turn give it additional capital to pay the government dues as well as invest in future growth, the report added.

The Economic Times couldn’t independently verify the report.

Vodafone Idea’s financial woes

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Vi, a joint venture between the Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group, was formed to tackle the significant competition unleashed after Reliance Jio entered the market in 2016. However, India’s third-largest telco by market share soon came under pressure due to rising AGR dues, with management highlighting the difficulty in surviving unless some concessions were given.
Under a 2021 telecom relief package, the government converted a portion of Vi’s dues into equity, raising its stake to 48.99%, making it the company’s largest shareholder. In February 2023, nearly Rs 16,000 crore of interest on deferred spectrum and AGR dues was converted into equity, which gave the government about a 33% stake at the time. This was followed by the conversion of an additional Rs 36,950 crore of spectrum auction dues into equity in April 2025.
The government, in December 2025, approved a partial moratorium on Vi’s dues, freezing them at Rs 87,695 crore and deferring repayments to the 2030s, which provided near-term cash flow relief for the debt-ridden firm.
Earlier this month, Vodafone Idea announced that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) reduced the telco’s adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues by 27% to Rs 64,046 crore as of December 31. It added that DoT had formed a committee to reassess its AGR dues as per the order passed by the Supreme Court earlier. DoT in January this year had frozen AGR dues at Rs 87,695 crore as of December 31, 2025.

It added that, as per the latest government order, the final amount will be payable in tranches. A minimum of Rs 100 crore will be paid annually over four years from FY32 to FY35. The remaining amount will be paid in six equal instalments annually from FY36 to FY41.

Earlier this week, Vodafone Idea named billionaire industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla as its non-executive chairman, around five years after he resigned from the same role in the telecom giant amid financial stress.

Vodafone Idea share price

Vodafone Idea shares jumped more than 8% to trade at Rs 12.18 apiece on Monday. The stock has gained more than 15% in one week and over 31% in one month. The shares of the telecom company are up around 5% in 2026 so far.

In the longer timeframe, Vodafone Idea shares rallied 81% in one year, 70% in three years and 50% in five years.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

TUCSON, Ariz. — Nearly 100 days after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Catalina Foothills home in a suspected early-morning kidnapping, authorities and her family say there is still no definitive answer on whether the 84-year-old mother of “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie is alive.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and the FBI continue to treat the case as an active abduction investigation. No suspects have been named, and while blood evidence and signs of a struggle were found at the scene, officials have not declared Nancy deceased. The family maintains cautious optimism despite the agonizing uncertainty.

Nancy was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31, 2026. She was reported missing Feb. 1 after missing a virtual church service. Doorbell camera footage captured a masked intruder tampering with the device around 1:47 a.m. Bloodstains confirmed to be hers were discovered inside and outside the home, along with evidence of a struggle. Her pacemaker lost connection shortly afterward, and she left behind her phone, medications and other essentials.

Family’s emotional Mother’s Day plea

On May 10, Savannah Guthrie posted an emotional Instagram tribute marking the first Mother’s Day without her mother. “Mother, daughter, sister, Nonie — we miss you with every breath,” she wrote. “We will never stop looking for you. We will never be at peace until we find you.” She urged anyone with information to call the FBI tip line anonymously and reminded the public that a $1 million family reward remains active.

Savannah’s husband, Michael Feldman, also shared a heartfelt message supporting his wife during the difficult day. The family has consistently expressed belief that Nancy could still be alive, though they have privately acknowledged the possibility she may not return.

Recent developments and false leads

On May 7, a human bone was discovered about seven miles from Nancy’s home by a true-crime streamer. Authorities quickly determined it was prehistoric and unrelated to the case. The brief hope followed by disappointment highlighted the emotional toll of the prolonged search.

DNA evidence recovered from the scene continues to be analyzed. Mixed DNA profiles have been sent for advanced testing, but no public matches have been announced. Ransom notes have surfaced in media reports, though their authenticity remains under review.

Investigation challenges

Sheriff Nanos has said the task force is making progress and remains committed. “We are closer,” he told reporters recently, though he declined to provide specifics. The case has generated tens of thousands of tips, with extensive ground and air searches conducted. The FBI joined early, and the home was declared a crime scene.

Experts note the case’s complexity: an elderly victim with mobility issues taken from her home in a seemingly targeted manner, yet no clear motive has emerged publicly. Profilers have speculated possible retribution or a botched kidnapping, but no arrests have been made.

Elizabeth Smart, who survived a notorious abduction, has publicly expressed hope that Nancy remains alive, drawing from her own experience of prolonged captivity.

Nancy’s life and family bond

Nancy Ellen Long Guthrie, widowed since 1988, was described as independent, sharp-minded and deeply faithful despite mobility challenges. She was an active church member and devoted grandmother. Her disappearance has devastated the family, with Savannah stepping away from “Today” duties for weeks to focus on the search before returning in April.

The family’s public appeals have kept national attention on the case. They have stressed Nancy’s need for daily medication and urged anyone holding her to release her safely.

Broader implications

The high-profile case has spotlighted vulnerabilities of elderly residents and raised questions about home security. It has also fueled discussions about media coverage of missing persons cases involving prominent families versus others. The $1 million-plus reward (including contributions) remains one of the largest in recent Arizona history.

As the investigation nears the 100-day mark on May 11, officials continue to ask the public for any information, no matter how small. The case remains open and active, with investigators refusing to give up hope of bringing Nancy home.

For now, the question of whether Nancy Guthrie is still alive has no definitive answer. Law enforcement and her loved ones operate under the assumption she could be, while preparing for any outcome. The family’s message remains clear: they will never stop looking. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips anonymously.

The search for Nancy continues — a painful reminder of how quickly life can change and how long hope can endure in the face of silence.