Classroomed for a cause: Bengaluru youths quit job to teach underprivileged

A plush job in an investment bank, a steady income and a luxurious life — sounds like a dream, for sure. But how many of us have the nerve to give it all up to teach underprivileged kids? Meet these 20-somethings who’ve quit their secure jobs to tread the unpredictable path of teaching through the Teach For India (TFI) initiative.

Twenty four-year-old Ramya Krishnan did her B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, and went on to work in an MNC. She then quit her job to become a Fellow at TFI. “The sheer audacity of taking up something so challenging intrigued me. I applied after college, and got through, but my parents asked me what I was planning to do after the fellowship. I declined the fellowship and started volunteering in a TFI classroom simultaneously. It was the best decision, and I applied for the next cohort and took up the fellowship,” says Ramya, adding,”TFI is tailormade for someone who wants to change the educational landscape. I always wanted to do something for the country.”

For Siddharth Chelappa, who was working with Infosys three years back,  volunteering at a government school was an enlightening experience. “I understood the hardships the kids faced. That’s when I decided to be part of a system where every child has access to excellent education. Teachers define you and make you independent thinkers and doers, and are the reasons for who you are today,” says Siddharth who didn’t find the decision to quit his job to be a tough one. “My family too was pretty supportive about it as soon as they realised my purpose. They were proud of me,” he shares.

Leaving behind a pile of money can be tough, says Ramya adding, “But at some point you ask yourself, ‘is this what I want to do for the rest of my life?’ Teaching is very close to my heart because it brings out the best in me, and helps me bring out the best in others. It is difficult for the older generation to understand the road that lies ahead.”

Thirty-year-old Priya Sukhwani was teaching English to refugees from Sudan and Thailand when working for an investment bank in America. After her stint abroad, she decided to give it all up to apply for the TFI fellowship. “I saw first hand the socio-economic background of children studying in lower income schools allowing me to understand their challenges. I wanted to encourage them to pursue education and inspire them to become life-long learners. I now want to start a community center in the locality to help women and children to learn English, basic life skills etc.”

How has life changed for them after becoming teachers? “I’ve learned to become more patient, less biased, and to work together with the kids, rather than find solutions for them. We as young teachers have as much to learn from the community, as much as we have to contribute to their betterment,” answers Ramya. Siddarth says, “I am now more empathetic towards people. I love Mondays, constantly think of bringing in change and maximising impact. The kids have taught me to lead by example.”