K. K. Shailaja (Shailaja teacher)

K. K. Shailaja fondly called Shailaja teacher is a politician from the Kannur district in Kerala. She served as Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Kerala from 25 May 2016 to 19 May 2021.

Her leadership during the Nipah and COVID-19 outbreaks was widely lauded during this time she has also acquired several nicknames like "coronavirus slayer" and "rock star health minister" etc. Financial Times named Shailaja as one of the world's most influential women of 2020,

After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Bachelor of Education in 1980, she served as a high school physics teacher at Shivapuram High School in Kannur. After a seven-year service, she retired in 2004 for full-time political action.

Shailaja teacher was honoured by the United Nations in June 2020 for her efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. In recognition of her social commitment to public health services, she was awarded the Central European University (CEU) Open Society Prize for 2021.

Shailaja teacher's husbands name is K. Bhaskaran, they have been married since 19 April 1981. They have two sons Lasith and Sobhith. Her parents are K. Kunthan and K. K. Shantha.