Help 28,000 Indian Children Get Quality Education

I am Yashaswini and I teach a batch of energetic grade 3 learners! The Summer Institute provided a holistic and comforting experience. We had access to all the required facilities and support to teach effectively. I faced a challenge while teaching 50 third-grade students who only spoke Hindi and Marathi. However, with the institute's constant support in lesson planning and classroom management, I overcame it. The training provided me with many resources for lesson planning and taught me practical problem-solving through active discussion methods. Equipped with this training, I instilled the values of kindness, compassion, curiosity, courage, and literacy in my current classroom. My vision for my classroom is to see my students embody these values and become kind, compassionate, and curious individuals.

In my classroom, I have implemented various plans and practices to ensure effective classroom management and control of student aggression. Using trackers, including group, individual, and classroom trackers, has been beneficial. Additionally, grouping students strategically, intervening when necessary, consistently checking for understanding, and reminding students of these aspects have also been crucial in maintaining a peaceful classroom environment.

There is a supportive environment even after the institute from all the stakeholders, especially parents and the school. At least 50% of the parents are highly active and constantly try to understand their child's development in the class and check their grades, behavior, etc. They are very receptive towards me, allowing me to plan the student's overall development effectively. Even the school management is pretty good; there is no pressure from any of the teachers or principal about my class. They are supportive of activities planned by me and even help with the implementation of my plans in class. The Program Manager provides constant support about all aspects of the class.

I derive motivation from my own life, as I belong to a low-income background and had to depend on scholarships almost my entire life to acquire education. A lack of money didn't mean a lack of resources to study. But in reality, lack of money and being a part of a disadvantaged background have a huge impact on one's education. Availability of resources, agency of students, parents, and teachers, the qualification of parents and their investment in students' education, and behavior play a huge role in a child's education. I thought parents wouldn't be welcoming and interested in their child's education. Still, through the experience of community engagement, I realized that they are interested in knowing the development of students but need to be made aware of the ways to do it.

My vision of leading myself is to understand my strengths and weaknesses and act on them to achieve my ambition. My vision of leading others is to build compassion and kindness among others and take them on the path of development. My vision for India is to ensure that every child has access to excellent education in the future.

As a Psychology graduate from Banaras Hindu University, my insatiable thirst for knowledge extends beyond academics. Reading, my first love, introduces me to new worlds, perspectives, and ideas. Photography offers a creative outlet, allowing me to capture unforgettable moments and weave stories through visuals. And when I'm not immersed in words or images, I find solace in the harmonies of musical instruments, using them as a means of artistic expression.

Teaching has been my lifelong passion, and Teach For India (TFI) gave me the platform to turn that dream into reality. I firmly believe that education is a transformative force, empowering individuals to lead meaningful lives. Working in social education enables me to positively impact the lives of children, adolescents, and adults, helping them overcome barriers and realize their potential.

In my classroom, I strive to cultivate a deep appreciation for education and instill the value of collaboration through innovative teaching methods like peer learning. I believe in holistic development, nurturing environmentally and socially conscious individuals. I actively involve parents in every aspect of their child's learning journey to achieve this, fostering a strong bond between home and school.

The excitement and warmth of my first day in class were overwhelming as my students showered me with love and kindness. Identifying and bridging learning gaps, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, became vital to my mission. As the fellowship year progressed, I witnessed my students grow into confident learners, embracing mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning.

Collaborating with my fellow teachers, we embarked on various projects contributing to the school's growth. Our Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) Project touched the lives of numerous students while painting our classrooms breathed new life into the learning environment. In an effort to ensure equal access to books, we organized two book fairs, empowering every student with the gift of knowledge.

Teach for India has been an incredible journey of impact and growth. It has strengthened my resolve to foster a love for learning, nurturing young minds, and building a brighter future for our society. With every milestone we achieve together, I am reminded of the power of education and its lasting impact on individuals and communities.

Through this fellowship, I have discovered my true calling – empowering minds, sparking curiosity, and fostering a lifelong love for learning. My journey with TFI has given me the tools and platform to make a real difference. I am eager to continue this meaningful mission of transforming lives, one student at a time. Together, we build a foundation for a brighter and more equitable future.

Riya

Cohort of 2022

Delhi