Parvati, a dedicated college student in Bhubaneswar, hails from the humble surroundings of a Bhubaneswar slum in Odisha. With an unwavering passion for teaching, she embarked on a journey to secure teaching positions at various schools alongside her studies. Regrettably, her aspirations were met with challenges. Parvati often found herself unable to clear teaching aptitude exams due to her lack of prior experience.
Even when she did manage to get past these exams, she faltered during the demo class interviews, lacking the practical know-how to teach children. The feedback from the interview panels echoed a common sentiment – a lack of confidence owing to the absence of teaching experience. Parvati found herself ensnared in a vicious cycle.
To secure a job, she needed work experience, and to gain experience, she needed a job. This continuous loop led her to lose hope of ever becoming a teacher. In response, she made the brave decision to open her own tuition center, determined to try her hand at teaching. Despite her best efforts, Parvati’s learning center also faced setbacks, leaving her in a state of despair. She began to believe that her dream of becoming a teacher was unattainable. In her search for alternative employment, Parvati joined a small company as a data entry operator, sidelining her lifelong ambition of teaching.
One day, a friend of hers took part in the ThinkZone EmpowerEducator program and shared this opportunity with Parvati. Intrigued by the prospect, she inquired about joining and was delighted to be part of the program. Parvati excelled in the program and subsequently established her learning center. For her, this marked the fulfillment of her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. What sets Parvati apart is her unconventional approach to teaching. Her students often remark that she doesn’t conduct regular classes; instead, she engages them in games and activities. She firmly believes in the power of unconventional teaching methods, whether it involves teaching a simple language concept or tackling complex mathematical concepts.
“It saddens me to see many view teaching as just a job. Without genuine passion, if someone teaches solely for money, it profoundly affects someone’s future. Teaching goes beyond being a mere occupation.”
– Parvati
Today, Parvati successfully runs her learning center and holds a teaching position in a prestigious school chain in Odisha. She gleefully asserts, ‘My dream has come true.’ She passionately articulates her vision: “In our society, we have often perceived teaching as a job, regardless of one’s passion for it. This mindset has led to the creation of teachers who are merely suited for the role but often lack true enthusiasm for teaching. This, in my opinion, is a significant problem. Instead of viewing teaching merely as a job, we should regard it as a passion.
