In our ongoing "Shine with Class Saathi" campaign, we’re delighted to introduce one of our Saathi Star Teacher Award winners, Mr. Madhwaraj Bandi, from KenBridge School, Kalaburgi. Holding the title of Beacon of Knowledge, Mr. Bandi shares his insights, experiences, and passion for teaching history and political science. Here's an engaging conversation with him where we explore his journey as a teacher and how Class Saathi has impacted his classroom.

Interviewer: Mr. Bandi, you mentioned that you come from a family of educators. How did teaching become your calling?

Mr. Bandi: Yes, that’s right! I come from a family of teachers—my parents and even my grandparents were in this noble profession. Teaching sort of came to me by default. But what really ignited my passion for it was my love for history, and I owe a lot of that to my own social studies teacher. He always stressed the importance of understanding our surroundings—monuments, buildings, and the land. That really sparked my interest in the subject.

Interviewer: You teach history and political science to 9th and 10th graders. Do you face any difficulty in teaching these subjects?

Mr. Bandi: I find these subjects refreshing and easy to connect with. I enjoy teaching them, and I always try to make them engaging for my students. One way I do that is through storytelling. History is essentially the story of our past, so I use storytelling techniques, and sometimes even poetry, to bring it to life. I also link historical events to current scenarios, making sure my students see how the past influences the present.

One major challenge is that many students feel history isn’t relevant to their lives. They think, "Why do we need to learn about the past?" But I explain it to them this way: when you visit a doctor, the first thing they ask is about your medical history. It’s the same with the world we live in today—everything has a history. You need to know where things come from to fully understand their value today.

Interviewer: How has technology and the digital age changed the way you teach?

Mr. Bandi: Technology has brought both opportunities and challenges. Students today are exposed to so much information from social media, news channels, and other platforms. Some of this information is misleading, so it's our responsibility as teachers to help students critically analyze what they see. But it’s tough. We need to guide them without being too opinionated or biased, especially in subjects like political science.

Interviewer: That’s where platforms like Class Saathi must come in handy. How has it impacted your teaching?

Mr. Bandi: Class Saathi has been a great help! The platform offers pre-loaded content, which makes it easy for me to conduct assessments after I finish teaching a chapter. It’s really effective during revision sessions because it allows me to see which students have grasped the concepts and who needs more help. It’s not just about exams—Class Saathi helps in understanding each student’s learning journey.

Interviewer: It sounds like you have a very student-centered approach. Could you share an experience where you had to go beyond academics to help a student?

Mr. Bandi: Oh, absolutely. As teachers, we’re also counselors in many ways. I remember one instance where a young girl in my class started struggling after her elder brother left for higher studies. She felt lonely and started losing focus. I noticed the change and spoke with her father. We worked together to help her spend more time with family in her village, and slowly, she began to improve. It’s moments like these where we, as teachers, have to look out for our students' emotional well-being, not just their academic progress.

Interviewer: That’s such a heartwarming story. You also mentioned the changing attitude toward the teaching profession. Could you elaborate on that?

Mr. Bandi: Yes, I once asked a group of parents if they’d want their children to become teachers. No one responded, which was disappointing. I think the attitude towards teaching needs to change. Teachers play such a crucial role, especially in the early years. Kindergarten teachers, for example, provide the foundational care that shapes a child’s personality. We need to value and respect the profession more, and I try to bring about this change in the parents I interact with.

Interviewer: You’ve touched on such an important point. Lastly, where do you see the future of teaching heading?

Mr. Bandi: The future is definitely leaning toward technology. Parents want it, and students are naturally inclined towards it. But we need to balance it out with critical thinking and emotional intelligence. Technology is a tool, and platforms like Class Saathi make it easier for us to teach and assess, but at the end of the day, our role as educators is still to guide our students—not just academically, but emotionally as well.

Interviewer: Thank you, Mr. Bandi, for sharing your journey and insights with us. You truly are a "Beacon of Knowledge," not just for your students but for the teaching community as a whole.

Stay tuned for more inspiring conversations in our Teachers Stories campaign, where we celebrate the incredible work of our Saathi Star Teachers!