Expanding Education Horizons

Jyotsna Kothari says exploring diverse educational institutions across the United States provided her with invaluable insights that she now aims to integrate into her teaching in Chandigarh. (Photograph courtesy Jyotsna Shukla Kothari)

Jyotsna Shukla Kothari, an educator from Chandigarh, has spent over a decade teaching and inspiring students. As a teacher and trainer with the Department of Education, Chandigarh, Kothari continually seeks professional growth, recently culminating in her participation in the prestigious Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) program, where she was hosted by California State University in Chico.

SUSI is an academic program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. It offers graduates, scholars and teachers an immersive five- to six-week experience that includes an academic residency, an educational tour to another U.S. region, community service and leadership development activities.

Kothari attributes her selection for the SUSI program to her commitment to staying updated with the latest educational trends. “Getting selected for the SUSI program at California State University in Chico was a life-changing experience,” she says. “Through this program, I learned about U.S. policies, culture, the education system, and new approaches to teaching.”

Exploring diverse educational institutions across the United States provided her with invaluable insights that she now aims to integrate into her teaching in Chandigarh, reinforcing her belief in the value of a global perspective in education.

In Chandigarh, Kothari’s contributions have been significant. As a Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) teacher trainer, she has trained over 1,000 teachers and received awards for her impact in the field. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a crucial role in the PM e-Vidya project, an initiative to transform digital education in India. Kothari recorded over 150 educational videos that were broadcast nationwide, ensuring that students could continue their studies despite pandemic-related disruptions.

With a passion for teaching deeply rooted in her family, Kothari is the fourth generation to enter this field. Holding master’s degrees in education and English literature, she finds the most rewarding aspect of her work is seeing her students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, excel and secure positions in esteemed companies.

Now, inspired by her international experience, Kothari is eager to introduce collaborative projects on international project-based learning in Chandigarh. She aims to bridge cultural gaps and elevate educational outcomes, hoping to further empower her students with a broadened worldview.

Megan McDrew is a professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Hartnell College. She is based in Monterey, California.

Click here to sign up for the free SPAN newsletter: https://bit.ly/SubscribeSPAN