The adage "shared joy is doubled joy" resonates deeply with me, particularly when it comes to the thrill of problem-solving in mathematics. In high school, I realized how great it felt to help someone figure out a math problem. This propelled me to delve into tutoring, initially within our school's math remedial classes, then extending this passion to underserved communities in Los Angeles, while pursuing an Applied Mathematics degree at University of California Los Angeles. 

While most of my peers at college were getting into tech or consulting, I felt like teaching was where my heart was. I joined the Teach For India Fellowship to immerse myself in a classroom for the next two years.

I taught 57 enthusiastic 9th and 10th Graders SSC Math. In my final year, my focus was on preparing them to achieve their potential and showcase their abilities in the 10th Board Examinations in March 2024. They acheived a 100% pass rate up from 49% at the start of the year!

My driving factor is watching students feel empowered through problem-solving in mathematics. Hence, my classes focus on building mathematical thinking and mindsets rather than rote and procedural learning. I believe in implementing research-based content and pedagogical practices to push student outcomes and well-being. 

Our students come from various communities, with most residing within a 2km radius from our school, while a few travel from as far as 50km away. The community exhibits a diversity of religions, primarily Hindus and Muslims, along with a mix of castes within their respective areas. The majority of students are children of migrant workers, with a significant number hailing from states like UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand, who are most comfortable conversing in Hindi and English, while only a few are familiar with Marathi.

The community, in comparison to many others in Mumbai, is relatively well-off. However, the high cost of living in the area adds stress to families. Our classroom serves as a microcosm reflecting the wealth disparity prevalent in the city. While some students' parents are engaged in daily wage occupations such as factory work, auto driving, plumbing, etc., others own small enterprises like local groceries, vegetable supply businesses, or similar establishments.

Despite economic disparities, our classroom maintains harmony, with the majority of parents actively engaged in their children's education. However, occasional challenges at home, such as unemployment and domestic abuse, leads to absenteeism and hinders the child's overall development.