I am Pooja Madhusoodhanan, a native of Kerala currently in my second year of teaching at Vidyakula Hippocampus International School in Karnataka. I teach English grammar and literature to students from 7th to 10th grade. Although I am still learning the Kannada language, which sometimes requires me to use a translator when speaking with parents, I communicate with my students entirely in English.

Teaching is my passion; a path I was inspired to take after my zoology teacher noticed my potential during a seminar and motivated me to pursue the profession. I am also influenced by my relative who is a teacher. In my classes, I believe that gestures, emotions, and expressions are essential; I try to mirror the feelings in a text so that they "penetrate" into my students' understanding. I also enjoy using role play, such as having 10th-grade students enact "The Proposal," to make learning both funny and memorable.

I have been shaped by two primary role models:

• My Parents: Both my mother and father have inspired me deeply and given me the courage I carry through life.

• My Best Friend: She supports me whenever I feel down, raising my spirits and helping me see the hopeful side of things.

My journey with the Aikyam program began when the school assigned me to facilitate a team. I was quite nervous at the beginning because I didn't have much background information, but attending Aikyam training sessions and collaborating with other teachers helped me become comfortable. I have found that the "Daily Pondering" activity is incredibly useful for helping children develop their critical thinking by encouraging them to observe and ask questions. My students, especially those who have participated in Aikyam before, are a great help to me and often share their previous experiences when I am unsure of a particular aspect of the program.