Transform the lives of 3200 children in Hyderabad

I’m Enakshi Sharma, teaching a joyful bunch of thirty second graders at Sri Saraswathi High School. Each day with them feels like a new beginning: loud, curious voices, tiny feet racing into class, and endless possibilities tucked inside notebooks and dreams.

My journey into this classroom began at the Teach For India Institute, a space that transformed the way I think about education. I was surrounded by diverse peers from across India, each bringing a unique voice and story. The rigorous training shaped me into a more intentional and reflective educator. I learned how children think, how learning happens when they feel safe and valued, and how critical empathy is in unlocking their minds. It wasn’t just about teaching strategies like lesson planning or attention grabbers; it was about understanding the human heart inside every student.

This belief drives my vision for the next two years. I want to build a student-led classroom where children don’t just follow directions but make decisions, express ideas, and take ownership of their learning. I want them to practice leadership, courage, teamwork, and empathy every single day. My hope is that they grow into confident young individuals who speak up with pride and listen with kindness. To bring this alive, I built a strong classroom culture as the “Hyderabad Champs,” using routines and positivity. Despite shifting rooms and sections, we consistently reset, relearned expectations, and grew resilient together.

One of my biggest hurdles now is helping students move from an “I can do it alone” mindset to a “we grow better together” mindset. Many struggle to work in groups or trust one another.Sometimes, disagreements escalate into hitting or hurtful words. So learning to collaborate is not a convenience but a necessity. I am focusing deeply on emotional development, communication skills, and friendship-building to turn thirty individuals into one strong community.

The post-Institute journey has been a masterclass in building a support ecosystem. Limited autonomy and frequent operational disruptions made it challenging to establish stability. But I learned to create support instead of waiting for it. My co-Fellows, Annesha and Anjali, became my daily support system, helping me brainstorm solutions and stay grounded. The Hyderabad city leadership advocated with school authorities to secure better working conditions. And most importantly, parents became my biggest allies. Having moved from Assam, I was welcomed like family. Parents checked in when I was sick, trusted my intentions, and offered warmth that gave me a sense of belonging. Together, this collective support enabled hope where structure sometimes fell short. Every precious moment inside the classroom reminds me why this work matters. When students admire each other’s artwork and celebrate creativity, when a child’s drawing of Ganesh ji inspires a chain of joyful artistry, when mindfulness exercises help them find calm and focus, when they dress up as freedom fighters and speak bravely about India’s future, I see glimpses of leaders in the making.

This Fellowship has shown me that education inequity is complex, layered, and deeply rooted. It isn’t just about access but also about mindset, systems, culture, and belonging. It has shifted me from believing change rests on individual effort to understanding the power of collaboration and community. As a Fellow, I strive to lead myself with empathy and resilience, lead my students and stakeholders through partnership and inspiration, and ultimately lead India toward a future where quality education becomes every child’s right, not a privilege. My students dream big. My role is to ensure nothing dims that light. Together, we are building a classroom where confidence grows, curiosity sparks, and leadership begins.

Links:

• TEACH FOR INDIA