Bandipora: For Mehnaz Shah, teaching has never been merely a profession. Since beginning her career in 2009 at Primary School Watipora, Arin, she has spent nearly two decades navigating infrastructural challenges, professional setbacks and personal responsibilities while remaining committed to one goal—providing children with an education that extends beyond textbooks.

Her journey began in modest circumstances. At Watipora, Shah taught young children in classrooms with limited space and infrastructure. Despite the constraints, she continued working with dedication until the school was eventually merged with another institution, after which she continued her service at Middle School Meerpora, Arin.

It was at Meerpora that Shah began developing a distinct vision of education.

Rather than limiting education to academic performance, she wanted her students to become confident, creative, disciplined and capable of dealing with the challenges of life. Her efforts to introduce new activities and teaching approaches, however, were not always readily accepted.

Yet, discouragement did not deter her.

A Turning Point

A significant turning point came when Pratham Education Foundation visited her school and conducted teacher training related to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

While several concepts introduced during the training were new to many teachers, Shah had already explored many of the principles independently. Her interest in child-centred, activity-based and holistic education soon caught the attention of the Pratham team.

She was subsequently selected as a teacher trainer through its collaboration with the Directorate of School Education.

For three consecutive years—2017, 2018 and 2019—Shah trained fellow teachers while continuing to teach her own students and manage household responsibilities.

Balancing the three responsibilities was demanding. Eventually, family commitments compelled her to step away from teacher training, despite the professional opportunity it represented.

Challenges Continued

Her career subsequently brought another challenge when three schools were adjusted within a single institution due to enrolment-related issues.

Later, she was posted to Middle School Khairpura, Arin, where she found an important source of encouragement in Head of Institution Fayaz Ahmed Malik.

Shah credits Malik with motivating her to continue working for the improvement of the school and describes his support as an important pillar of her professional journey.

A New Chapter in Sumbal

After migrating to Srinagar, Shah was transferred to Zone Sumbal. In 2022, she joined Government Middle School Shahtulpora, Sumbal.

The posting provided her with an opportunity to implement the educational approach she had long believed in.

Her focus went beyond conventional classroom teaching. Alongside academics, she encouraged students to participate in cultural activities, creative pursuits and other programmes aimed at building confidence and personality.

She also began documenting and sharing the school’s activities and students’ achievements through Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

The initiative gradually brought greater visibility to the work being undertaken by the students and teachers.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelParents, in particular, appreciated the efforts and extended their support.

Shah also acknowledges the encouragement of ZEO Sumbal Mohammed Azaad Lone, Head of Institution Fayaz Ahmed Malik, and Mistress Nusrat Nisha, who served as her In-charge Head from 2022 to 2025.

For Shah, institutional trust and professional freedom are essential for teachers to experiment, innovate and respond to the individual needs of children.

First Recognition

Among the people she remembers most prominently is Mistress Nusrat Nisha, who gave Shah her first appreciation award.

For Shah, the recognition was more than an award. It gave her renewed confidence that sincere efforts could eventually find appreciation, even when they remain unnoticed for years.

Her work was later recognised by ZEO Sumbal Mohammed Azaad Lone and Teachers Forum Vice Chairman Fayaz Ahmed Malik, who honoured her with appreciation awards.

The recognitions, she says, represent years of perseverance rather than simply certificates or titles.

The Values That Shaped Her

Behind Shah’s professional journey stands another important influence—her father, Mohammad Afzal Shah.

She credits her father with teaching her the value of honesty and sincerity.

The lesson, according to Shah, was simple: work should be performed sincerely because it is one’s responsibility, not merely for recognition.

She also remembers her own teachers, whose knowledge, values and inspiration helped shape her understanding of education and the teaching profession.

A Journey Supported by Many

Shah says her journey has been strengthened by the support of seniors, heads of institutions, colleagues, students and parents.

She also places special emphasis on the support of her husband, whose encouragement has remained an important source of strength throughout her professional career.

But at the centre of her journey remain her students.

For Shah, the greatest reward is not an appreciation certificate but seeing children become confident, creative, capable and better human beings.

‘My Students Will Always Be My First Priority’

Looking back on her journey—from teaching children in limited classrooms at Watipora to training teachers and later implementing her educational vision at Shahtulpora—Shah believes every challenge played a role in shaping her as an educator.

Her story is one of perseverance: of continuing to work even when recognition was slow, of pursuing innovation despite resistance, and of balancing professional aspirations with family responsibilities.

For Shah, teaching is a responsibility, a passion and a purpose.

Her journey, however, is far from over.

She continues to aspire to learn, innovate and create better opportunities for her students.

And after 17 years in the profession, one principle continues to guide her work: the greatest achievement of a teacher is not being recognised, but helping a child discover confidence, ability and a sense of purpose.

Suhail Rather