JENIFER FERNANDES
joseph@herald-goa.com
ALDONA: At a modest home in Corjuem, the sound of chalk on slate and the murmur of young voices fill the air. Here lives Pradnya Shet, a simple yet extraordinary woman whose life is a story of quiet determination, boundless compassion, and an unshakable belief in the power of education.
Pradnya, a graduate in Arts, dreamt of a government job — a dream she chased through countless interviews. But with poverty shadowing her family, limited support, and hurdles that life kept throwing even after marriage, her dream remained elusive. “I faced many rejections,” she admits, “and one day I realised — maybe life had a different path meant for me.”
That was the beginning of her journey as a tuition teacher — a journey that would go on to touch countless young lives.
Most of the students who come to my tuition classes are weak in studies. Some need more time to grasp lessons, while others are slow learners. I take the time to teach them patiently and help them understand each lesson at their own pace. This approach has helped me win the hearts of my students.
In schools, with many students in a single classroom, it’s difficult for one teacher to give individual attention. That’s the reality—teachers often have to teach the class as a whole. I believe that while not all students excel academically, many have talents in other areas. I guide them step by step, and this personal attention is what makes them love my way of teaching.
A seed that grew Into a mission
What started with a few students soon blossomed into something much bigger. Her students began excelling in their exams, and word spread quickly in the community. Parents, impressed by her results and her dedication, started trusting her with their children.
Today, twelve years later, Pradnya teaches 28 students from four schools. So devoted is she to her students that Pradnya even hired another teacher to help her manage the growing numbers.
Her approach to teaching is personal and heartfelt. “I give my full attention to every child. If a student is weak, I start from the very basics. I don’t let them feel inferior. I keep working on them until they are confident enough to shine.”
A second home for students
Pradnya’s students don’t just come to her for lessons — they come to her for care, encouragement, and guidance. On holidays, she opens her doors to keep them from loitering aimlessly. For students from distant areas, she reassures parents, “When your child is here, don’t worry. I take full responsibility.”
Her home is a safe space — a second home where children feel valued. During the pandemic, even with the risk of COVID looming, parents pleaded with her to continue classes. She obliged, ensuring masks, sanitizers, and safety for everyone. “They just wanted their children to keep learning,” she smiles.
Her home has become more than a classroom—it’s a second home for students struggling in academics or coming from far-off areas. She nurtures them with patience, starting from the very basics if needed, and building up their confidence step by step.
Not just a teacher, but a potter
Her students call her many things — kaki, miss, teacher — names that reflect the affection they feel for her. “It doesn’t matter what they call me,” she says warmly. “What matters is that they trust me.”
Pradnya believes a teacher is like a potter, shaping young minds gently but firmly, instilling good values, and showing them the difference between right and wrong. She encourages her students to dream big, set clear goals, and pursue them with passion.
“Even students who were once failing come back years later and tell me how their teachers and friends now appreciate them. That fills my heart with pride.”
Balancing dreams and duty
Despite her packed schedule, Pradnya remains a devoted wife and mother. She wakes at dawn, completes her household chores, and ensures her family never feels neglected. “I have full freedom at home — my husband and children support me in everything. I make sure I don’t waste my students’ time because of my household work. My students’ future is my priority.”
Her earnings, though modest, are not her motivation. “I never pressure anyone about fees. They can pay when they are able. What matters is the child’s progress.”
A lesson for all of us
For Pradnya, teaching is not just a profession — it’s her passion, her calling. She reminds us all that success is not just about money or titles.
“Our needs are limited, but our wants are endless. We must live for ourselves, do what pleases our hearts, and not bury our dreams. Every job deserves respect if it’s done with sincerity.”
Her message to her students and to the world is simple yet profound:
“Follow your heart. Find your passion. Live your dreams. And above all, become a good human being.”
From her little home in Corjuem, Pradnya continues to mould young minds and light the path for generations to come — proving that one person’s dedication can indeed change many lives.