Nisha Kumari selected as a primary teacher at Dr Bhabha Public school

My Journey to Becoming a teacher: Nisha Kumari’s Story

“I am Nisha Kumari, from Bahoranpur, a small village in Hazaribagh district. I come from a scheduled caste family and lost my father when I was just two years old. After his passing, life was challenging for my family. My uncle, Bangali Ram, took care of us, and my mother, Phuliya Devi, worked as a maid in Kolkata to support us. She could only visit during festivals, and our family relied on the limited income from my uncle’s small piece of farmland.

Growing up in a joint family was tough. My elder brother, Sunny Ram, is married with children, and my other brother has faced severe mental health issues since childhood, which required significant medical expenses. Despite these challenges, I always dreamt of achieving something meaningful.

I completed my schooling at the local Gabriel School, where Brother Marques, a missionary, played a transformative role in my education. He introduced English medium teaching, and I was one of the first students to take up the challenge of studying in English. His personal guidance inspired me to pursue English as my major in college, and I graduated with honors in the subject.

However, despite my academic achievements, I faced significant hurdles. My family’s economic condition didn’t allow me to prepare for competitive examinations. I couldn’t afford coaching fees in Hazaribagh or even the daily travel expenses from Bahoranpur to the town. This was a painful reality for me because I knew that without proper preparation, it would be nearly impossible to secure a job.

Everything changed when Naya Sawera Vikas Kendra (NSVK) started career counseling and competitive examination preparation classes in Bahoranpur with support from Lotus Outreach International. I was one of the first students to enroll, and I never missed a class. The center gave me an opportunity that I could only dream of before.

The classes didn’t just focus on one subject; they covered a wide range of topics, including current affairs, and even helped us develop our personalities. I remember how nervous and unsure of myself I used to be. But through the career counseling sessions, I gained confidence and learned how to present myself during interviews. The live presentations through projectors made difficult topics easier to understand, and the life skills and communication classes conducted by Gaurav Sir were incredibly impactful.

Competition is tough these days, even for basic jobs. For the primary teacher position I applied for, there were many applicants. Initially, I was scared of the interview process, but the skills I learned in the preparation classes gave me the courage to face it. Thanks to the tips and techniques taught in the classes, such as time management, accuracy, and choosing the best options during exams, I was able to succeed.

Today, I am a primary teacher at a nearby school. The school is close to my home, so I can walk there easily. Earning an income has brought me immense satisfaction, especially when I can buy toys or school supplies for my nephew and niece. Seeing their happiness fills me with pride and contentment.

But this is just the beginning for me. My ultimate dream is to become a government school teacher, and for that, I need a Bachelor’s in Education (B.Ed.). At the competitive classes, we not only learned about exam patterns and job opportunities but also about tools like SWOT analysis, which helped me understand my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

The knowledge and guidance I received at the career counseling and competitive preparation classes have shaped my journey. They opened my eyes to the job market and taught me how to navigate it successfully. Even as a teacher now, I use the creative methods I learned there to make my classroom more engaging for the kids.

I am deeply thankful to Naya Sawera Vikas Kendra and Lotus Outreach International for creating this opportunity for students like me. These classes are a beacon of hope for those of us from economically weaker backgrounds, helping us carve out our paths in the competitive job market.