‘Many teach, but only a few inspire.’

To me, the term "inspiring" is synonymous with "teaching". The teachers who have had the most lasting impact on me are those who went beyond classroom exercises of simply conveying information and instilling rote memorization. They are the ones who were able to connect with me on a deeper level, creating an emotional and intellectual bond that motivated me to reach my full potential. After graduating in Architecture, I never envisioned a teaching job would become my passion, my bread, and butter, my future. My initial ambition was to become a successful architect, designing buildings that would be awe-inspiring and stand the test of time. In pursuit of this goal, I joined an architectural firm ‘Jaisim-Fountainhead’, whose principal architect was a great source of inspiration to me. I recognized that in order to be the best, I needed to work with and learn from the best.

The unfolding:

?“You will do well, go ahead and give it a try”. These were the words my then-boss and lifelong mentor Prof. K.R Jaisim told me almost a decade back when he asked me to take up teaching as a visiting faculty in an architectural college in Bengaluru. Little did I know at the time that this opportunity would be life-changing and transformative for my career. While I was working as an architect under his guidance, he suggested that I try teaching, asserting that I would be good at it. Initially, I disregarded his advice, believing that I was not "teacher material". However, a year later, when he reiterated his recommendation, I decided to act upon it and accepted the position of visiting faculty in an architectural college while continuing my regular job.

During my time as a teacher, I co-taught with senior faculty members, which enabled me to improve my teaching abilities, develop a more profound understanding of the subject matter, and receive mentorship and guidance for my professional growth. I gained knowledge of proven and tested pedagogical approaches and, most importantly, learned how to create an environment that promotes positive learning. Although I was in the position of a teacher, I felt that I was learning more than ever before.

The realization:

As I reflect on my journey, I recall that I started teaching at a young age. Being the oldest sibling, I often taught my younger brothers and sisters during exams and summer breaks. Looking back, I realize that these early experiences of teaching my siblings and cousins were the foundation for my career in academia, although I did not fully recognize it at the time.

During the four-year period that I worked as a visiting faculty, I learned a crucial lesson - teaching is not just about imparting knowledge and skills to students. It is equally important to help them develop essential life skills and a positive attitude toward learning, and toward life itself. As I established rapport with my students, they began to confide in me and share their personal struggles. Gradually, I found myself assuming the roles of mentor, guide, and life coach, in addition to being their teacher. This experience taught me that effective teaching goes beyond classroom learning of the curriculum. Being a supportive educator involves being accessible to students throughout their journey. This may mean being available for them during unconventional hours, forfeiting rest, or even a holiday. It also demands discernment in recognizing which students require assistance or direction, even if they may not feel comfortable seeking it out themselves. ?I realized a teacher's role is to inspire and motivate their students to reach their full potential, as many students may not realize their capabilities until someone shows them what is possible. With a newfound love for teaching, I decided to pursue a full-time career in academia and completed my master's degree to enhance my qualifications for the job.

Pay it forward.

Frequently, I share with my students a reiterated version of the words of H. Norman Schwarzkopf, “The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle.” In the context of education, classrooms are their practice arenas. The more they learn, the better prepared they will be to tackle professional obstacles. Additionally, I emphasize that one cannot excel as a designer without being empathetic. Empathy is the cornerstone upon which all designs are constructed.

As a teacher, I witness moments when my students are flourishing and it fills me with a sense of pride. However, there are also instances when my students struggle with even the simplest tasks. It takes a great deal of resilience to encourage and motivate them every day, to reassure them that they are capable of doing better and that with determination and dedication, there is nothing they cannot accomplish. There are days when I face my own challenges, but when I see my students, I am filled with hope. I see in them the future generation of innovators, change-makers, disruptors, and designers who will make positive contributions to society. This inspires me to persevere, even during difficult times.

The current crop of students differs significantly from previous generations. They possess a greater awareness and thirst for knowledge, and with the internet and technology at their disposal, they have access to practically any information or expertise they desire. As an educator, it falls upon me to impart skills that extend beyond the prescribed curriculum, such as fostering empathy, developing a positive mindset, nurturing interpersonal relationships, and utilizing professional resources available to them. I often learn from my students as they share their perspectives and experiences, which influence them in unique ways. I learn from them as much as they learn from me. It’s a two-way street.

Florence Scovel rightly said: “No man is your enemy, no man is your friend, every man is your teacher.” I chose to become a teacher because I recognize the untapped potential of my students, even when they may not see it themselves. I am driven by the belief that learning is fundamental to growth, and that I have a responsibility to contribute positively to society. Above all, I am passionate about teaching and find no greater fulfillment than seeing my students succeed. I was fortunate to have a mentor who believed in me and encouraged me, and that experience inspired me to pay it forward and help my students discover their potential.?

“Keep learning, keep growing,

Keep teaching, and keep growing furthermore”?

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Pearl Academy Aditi Srivastava Nandita Abraham Preeti D. Maurizio Grioli Meha Jayaswal ARUN BHARDWAJ Dr. Sanyogeitaa Chadha Bhagyashri Sharma Jaisim Krishna Rao Ashwini Jaisim Tejashree N Jithendra Jagadish Dr. Yashashwini A Sandhya Srinivasan Sharmila Katre Tripti Gupta Wright Inspires Chetan K S Sujata Karve Rahul Nawle Prashanth Prathap Dr. Nayhel Sharma Nidhi Bindal Ruchira Bahl Ganesh Gulve Kavita Fatarpekar Tapan Chakravarty Prasanna Rao sindhu jagannath Khusboo Jogani Alka Madhan Abhishek Sharma Kaushik Ghosh, Ph.D Emanuel Maia Heena Fathima Khusboo Jogani Kaushik Ghosh, Ph.D Dr. Jyoti Saini Sakshi Jain Sabbah Sharma Puja Anand Apurv Prakash