I am not a teacher, but an awakener – Story of Ashu Wadhwa

Early Life

It is true in every sense in the case of Ashu Wadhwa, an educationist, a mentor, and much more to many of her students. The life journey of Ms. Ashu Wadhwa started on 16th February 1970, in the historical city of Karnal. She considers herself fortunate to have been born in an educated family that inspired her to learn, evolve, and motivate others. She is indebted to her mother, a teacher herself, for sacrificing her career to raise the children.

It has helped her evolve into a dynamic personality with solid values. Her father was a banker and the family’s sole earning member back then. Thus, she and her brother pursued their schooling in a convent school.

Academic Excellence

Education being the precedence at home, she achieved academic excellence. In everything she undertook, she enthusiastically coveted to better herself and transcend. She excelled in sports such as Athletics, Kho-Kho, and Volleyball. Slowly her aspirations grew towards dramatics.

To fulfill this yearning, she joined the acclaimed Yatrik Group of Dramatis under the patronage of Mrs. Joy Michael and Mr. Mitchelle Michael. Every aspect of dramatics fascinated her, which further urged her to try her best at it. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, until she reached 12th grade, she couldn’t continue her dedication towards this meticulous art, despite being versatile.

After 12th, she felt a strong inclination towards journalism despite being skeptical. But life never goes as planned. For her, journalism was not meant to be. Even though she attained the 1st rank in the journalism entrance exam, certain circumstances led her father to insist on pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Education, which she diligently did, attaining a scholarship.

Higher Education

She exceeded everyone’s expectations in graduating in Arts and Education and further pursued Post Graduation in English and later an M.Ed. and M.Phil. in Education from Delhi University. Her perseverance and dedication made this change in educational pursuit a success for her. Equipped with superior educational qualifications, she began her new journey into professional life. She was appointed TGT in St. Thomas School and further succored for PGT in Delhi Administration School. Later she got promoted to the post of Principal within a short span of 14 years in the same institution.

‘Our deeds still travel with us from afar, and what we have been making us what we are.’

-George Eliot

Being a God-fearing person, she believes in always doing good to others selflessly. She doesn’t just believe in saying it but also does what she means. She also taught the hobby of traveling, which led her to make new acquaintances and friends she often keeps in touch with.

Challenges in married life

Ashu’s true happiness began in the next step of her life’s journey – Marriage. Ashu Wadhwa and her husband had a loving, blissful marriage that gave her the best reward in her life, her son. She felt her life now to be complete, in full bloom. But this blissful happiness turned out to be short-lived when her adoring husband passed away after a long and difficult fight against a dreadful disease. Her son was just four years old back then. She also felt her protective walls crumbling down one after the other. She had to live on, face the world and survive for the sake of her son.

Life is always unpredictable and has many ups and downs. Ashu also faced every challenge in life headstrong. She came out victorious every time. She has learned to juggle between career, home and motherhood and has not backed out on any front.

Career Challenges

A new chapter began in her life. Craving for more challenges, she moved to a small remote area in Kudgi, Karnataka. The challenge of setting up a school from scratch inspired her to come all the way over from Delhi. Changing place is never an easy task, that too a place that is far from known people, a different language and much more.

Facing all these challenges with a smile, she set up the school with a different outlook, her mission. She also wanted to transform the school experience for children from various social and economic backgrounds. She had to face each obstacle step by step. From making sure she selected the best resources like human resources and infrastructure to redefining teaching methodologies, she was at the forefront of planning everything. She gave a neutral platform to students from all walks of life.

‘Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.’

– Benjamin Franklin

Ashu Wadhwa believes in this to the core and endeavors to empower her students to meet life challenges and inspire them to work in both technical and intellectual ways. Today her students walk out of the school journey well equipped with the knowledge, not just academically but also life skills.

Inspirational quotes credit –

https://gradecam.com/2018/07/30-inspirational-quotes-for-teachers/

https://www.wiseoldsayings.com/good-deed-quotes/

Our Storyteller – Nivi Karnad

Nivedita Karnad (pen name Nivi) is a mother of two adorable kids. She left her 17 years career of business development in interior design to start at home Sanskrit fun learn classes. An avid reader from childhood, she kept her passion for writing poems and life experiences since her college days. She believes that learning should be fun and now has dedicated her life to making tough, boring subjects interesting to learn by using engaging methods with her students. Her drive to write comes from her adventures. She also feels that one can express one’s deep inner feelings through writing, making one free from the burden of life. She encourages her students to read and write in different languages, just as her teachers had inspired her to.

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