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.
Dr K. Sree Vidya is a dentist by qualification but an edupreneur by profession. She now runs two schools in Andhra Pradesh
Here are excerpts from the interview.
Tell us a bit about your journey
After taking my Montessori training in Gurgaon, I got involved in the activities of the school. I learnt the tasks and now I’m the Chief Learning Officer at Next Gen International School. We have two branches; at Ongole and Guntur. It has been a learning experience since the day I joined. As an edupreneur you get to learn so much every day. You learn to be a better communicator as well as a listener and try to help your staff and students in the best possible way.
Creating women edupreneurs
As edupreneurs, we mentor and guide our teachers well so they are better prepared at mentoring a class. Educators should always motivate and inspire students. In this way, students will have the confidence to come forth and share their ideas with us. Always feed a child’s curiosity, answer all their questions rather than shutting them up. It is very important to hear students out. Sometimes they can as well bring fruitful ideas and solutions to the table. Be a keen and observant listener. At Next Gen we try to have this very approach. Our staff and students are free to come to us and share their problems or doubts. We try to discuss and guide them in the best of our capabilities.
Ensuring Gender Equality
In our institute we make sure not to segregate students based on gender. We have an unbiased policy that teachers and everyone in the campus follows. The uniforms too manifest a gender-neutral approach. There is no distinction and we tried to build a school that focuses on bringing students together and not divide them into certain categories and boxes. Gender is just an identity.
Message for women who want to work in the Education field
Women have a lot of patience. Their compassion and love adds so much to the growth of a child. Women can build a nation well. They have the ability to build a brighter future in the form of our future generations. We need women in all spheres and the education field is not an exception. We need women who are excellent educators, guides and mentors. Hence, please come forward and join us if you are truly passionate about the work.
