Stories from the Alumni Movement!

Deepesh discovered that fostering a nurturing environment often requires innovative approaches to make learning feel supportive and collaborative. He recalls moments when students gave incorrect answers and would feel embarrassed. To shift their perspective on mistakes, he introduced a tradition called "Celebrating Mistakes." This became a lighthearted classroom norm where, if a student answered incorrectly, they would perform something creative—singing, poetry, mimicry, or a short dance—as a fun way to acknowledge and own their mistake. This act symbolized growth, a promise to learn from errors without judgment. 

Inspired by these experiences, Deepesh later launched a Community of Practice focused on holistic development for teenagers. This initiative aimed to explore critical hard and soft skills necessary for employability, such as creativity, collaboration, and digital skills like AI. Through this community, he is working to identify which skills would have the greatest impact and to confirm if the teenage years, ages 13-18, are the ideal time for these teachings. Reflecting on his time with Teach For India, Deepesh recognizes it as a pivotal period that taught him how empowerment, collaboration, and skill-building can transform students’ perspectives on themselves and their potential.