Reflections on a Decade at Brindavan

Teaching in the 21st Century - Where Passion Meets Purpose

Nisha Raju | Junior School Coordinator | Brindavan Public School, Coonoor

Stepping Through the Gates - With Dreams & Doubts

I entered the Brindavan School gates for the first time with a head full of dreams and a heart pounding with the chattering echoes of self-doubt. A fresher, holding a teacher’s badge for the first time, I had no idea how profoundly the journey ahead would shape me—not just as an educator, but as a human being.

Assigned as the class teacher of Grade 5, I was to handle most of the subjects—English, Math, EVS, Moral Science—you name it. It was overwhelming at first, but what I didn’t realize then was that this responsibility would be the bridge that connected me deeply with my students.

I wasn’t just teaching them—I was growing with them. I got to know them inside out: their strengths, fears, quirks, and dreams. We laughed over lunch, brainstormed stories, made silly mistakes, and celebrated tiny victories. Those early years became my foundation—not just as a teacher, but as a nurturer, a learner, and a believer in the transformative power of education.

It was during this phase that I discovered the two forces that would continue to drive me forward: a love for teaching and a love for learning.

The Power of Belief: The People Who Lifted Me

Looking back, I realise something deeply important: before I could believe in myself, the people around me believed in me.

Not just my family, who have always been my constant, but the school management and my colleagues—the mentors who gently nudged me forward, the friends who covered my class when I had a fever, the seniors who shared their wisdom, and the leadership that gave me space to grow.

They didn’t just teach me how to teach—they showed me how to lead, listen, evolve, and belong.

10 Years Later: The Journey Comes Full Circle

It has been a decade. Ten fulfilling, growth-filled, humbling years in the same school.

Today, I walk the same corridors—not as the young fresher—but as the Coordinator of the very institution that nurtured me. I am now a guide not only for students but for fellow teachers. The role has changed, the responsibilities have grown, but the core remains the same: passion.

And that passion continues to be the compass that guides me through the ever-changing educational landscape of the 21st century.

Evolving as a 21st-Century Educator

The classroom I first stepped into ten years ago is not the classroom I see today. Education has transformed—and so have I.

Today, teaching means:

Technology Integration: Leveraging digital tools for flipped classrooms, hybrid learning, and greater engagement.

Student-Centered Learning: Fostering critical thinking, creativity, and independence.

Social-Emotional Development: Recognizing that how students feel is just as important as what they learn.

Inclusion and Differentiation: Respecting and reaching each learner in a way that honors their individuality.

To stay relevant, I had to become a lifelong learner. I had to unlearn outdated methods, embrace new ideas, and stay open to change.

I was no longer just a subject teacher—I became a mentor, a tech navigator, and sometimes, even a counselor. The transformation didn’t happen overnight—it was (and continues to be) a process of reflection, reinvention, and resilience.

Passion: The Anchor in Times of Change

Through it all, one thing has remained constant:

My love for teaching and my love for learning.

It’s what kept me going on days when energy was low.

It’s what pushed me to innovate when it was easier to repeat.

It’s what allowed me to connect—deeply and authentically—with every child, every teacher, and every classroom I entered.

I’ve always believed that passion in education is not about perfection—it’s about presence.

To be fully, sincerely, and wholeheartedly present for the ones we serve.

No matter how many hats I wear today—Coordinator, planner, mentor, or problem-solver—the heart that walked into that Grade 5 classroom still beats with the same joy and conviction.

A Call to Action: Pass It On

If you’re a new teacher just starting out—hold on to your “why.”

Build relationships, embrace learning, and lean on those around you. Your first day might be nerve-racking, but it might also be the day that changes your life.

If you’ve been teaching for years, like me—look back and smile.

You’ve grown more than you realize. Share your story, mentor someone new, and be the support you once needed.

And to school leaders, policymakers, and parents—invest in your teachers. Believe in them, nurture them, and most importantly, listen to them. When teachers grow, students thrive.

Because teaching is not just about lesson plans—it’s about life plans.

Not just about chapters and tests—but about children, transformation, and a lifelong love for learning.

In this ever-evolving journey, let passion be our purpose—and purpose be the legacy we leave behind.