I am Sakshi Havalad, and I have two years of teaching experience at Shri Sharada Public School in Annigeri, Karnataka. I teach Information Technology (IT) to students in grades 6 through 10, covering coding and productivity tools while also emphasizing interpersonal skills, communication, and teamwork. Additionally, I teach English to students in the 2nd and 7th grades.

My mother is my primary role model and inspiration. She served as a school principal for 13 years and was known for her kindness and approachability toward her students. I strive to emulate her, as well as my own former teachers, by being friendly and accessible so that my students feel they can freely approach me for help, though I remain strict regarding their schoolwork. 

In my classroom, I always start by greeting the children with a warm smile and a short activity, often sharing details about our days to encourage two-way communication and active participation.

Initially, I was skeptical about whether the children would be able to relate to community-level issues through the Aikyam program, but they have truly surprised me. They have participated with great enthusiasm and raised insightful questions about complex problems, such as:

• Cybercrime and social media hacking.

• The distribution of fake and expired medications that can harm the community.

It has been particularly rewarding to see the impact of the program on returning students. Those who participated in Aikyam previously have shown remarkable growth; they often respond to situations in innovative ways, speak with a confidence that suggests they have overcome their stage fear, and take on leadership roles by mentoring new students in the program.