On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Brainfeed took the opportunity to recognize the efforts of twenty exceptional women leaders in the field of education. We featured them in our cover story “Women Edupreneurs” of March 2023 edition of the Brainfeed Magazine. These women leaders focused and strived for creating a positive ecosystem at their workplace that helped other women in contributing to their fullest and ushering in the much needed change. Each one of these women educational entrepreneurs shared what it took them to successfully complete their entrepreneurial journey during which they have explored and found new identities for themselves and other women working with them.
Niti Mahendra has been in the education field for the past two decades. She did her graduation and post graduation in Mathematics from Miranda House, Delhi University. As a young woman fresh out of university, she started her journey as a high school teacher and later went on to become the principal and director of several reputed schools. She speaks to Brainfeed about edupreneurship and what it takes to ace the job.
Here are excerpts from the interview.
Journey as an educator and an edupreneur
I’ve learnt a lot through my professional journey. Thankfully, opportunities kept coming and so many people guided and mentored me throughout my career. My first principalwas one of them. She guided me when I started my career as a high school teacher. Then there were people who taught me the ropes ofschool administration. When I joined Edify School, Bengaluru there were so many hands who came forward to help me set up the school. Listening to their advice helped me get where I am today. It was only because I was a patient listener that I became a better teacher and administrator.
Role of empathy in education
Empathy is very important in all spheres of life, but that should not be at the cost of the organization’s betterment. There have been times when a decision could affect many people associated with my institute, but I had to take it, keeping in mind the welfare of the organization. You have to disassociate your personal feelings from your professional feelings. Professional decisions can’t be made on personal feelings.
Challenges you faced as a woman edupreneur
As an administrator, it is tough to maintain a work-life balance. I too had my own share of struggles but have learnt quite a few things from my experience. In order to maintain a healthy balance, you have to learn to ask for help. Never shy away from it. If you are having a hard time at work or at home, ask for help from people around. This will eventually lessen so much of your troubles. Being a perfectionist is tiring and honestly, no one is a perfectionist at the end. You will eventually be judged for something or the other. So, share your work and learn to depend on people who are there to help you out.
Message for women who aspire to work in the field of education
If you aspire to be an educator, there is nothing that should stop you from becoming one.We need more passionate educators and you are more than welcome to join the field. However, if one wants to become an administrator, the situation can be a bit tough because there are less holidays and a lot of work pressure. You’ll have to know how to balance your work and life and that will happen with time. Distribute work; ask for help whenever you need it. You should aspire to be a perfectionist but not at the cost of overburdening yourself. At home too, your close ones will understand your struggles and adjust in their own particular ways. You children will eventually grow. So, stop feeling guilty. People are there to help you outand you should be open to receive it.
In order to maintain a healthy balance, you have to learn to ask for help. Never shy away from it. If you are having a hard time at work or at home, ask for help from people around
