Tete-a-Tete with Sneha Khara Parekh

Sneha Khara Parekh is a first class graduate from Calcutta University. She has been teaching Computer Science since 2007 and has taught over 15,000 students across the country.

 How did you decide you want to become a teacher?

I realised I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students. Teaching is a profession that enables one to connect directly with young minds, who are going to shape their future. Working with students helps them to create a better tomorrow for themselves, and on a macro level, a better tomorrow for the entire world. Having taught for about 15 years now, it has always been my endeavour to make teaching and learning a pleasure and I have found it extremely fulfilling. I consider myself blessed.

Tell us something about Computer Science as subject and why you chose to teach this particular subject.

I always encourage students to opt for subjects like Computer Science in their school. Learning to code not only enables a student to learn about programming, but it also helps achieve a greater goal. It teaches students to learn how to think, which is a critical skill in today’s dynamic world. It opens up many avenues later on. Along with this, coding empowers students to create something that was once thought impossible. It makes life easier and better for others and helps push the world forward. Students and professionals alike find the subject of coding very intimidating and are thus reluctant to opt for it in school. My goal is to elucidate the subject matter for students, make it interesting, so that students are motivated to take up Computer Science and explore the endless possibilities that this domain provides them. I make them realise that they will have the power to create something magical, that will perhaps change the life of millions, for the better.

You have also launched your own book on the subject, “The Learning Curve”. We would like to know more about it.

The important takeaway from my book is “Systematic and comprehensive study is the key to perform well.”

 My book is a lucid discussion of practical and theoretical concepts. It is designed to adequately meet the requirements of students. Along with concept building, success in the examination is also one of the primary goals and keeping the same in view, I designed the book in such a way that it includes a number of illustrations in appropriate places for concept building, while adhering to the requirements of the education boards of India, so that students are also in the best position to secure the highest grades. The book also facilitates comprehension of the subject matter and also contains abundant problems which provides extensive practice to students.

How did you implement e-learning and extend reach of your valuable guidance and services?

Living and breathing this world of technology, I have always preferred adoption of modern methods and pushing for adjustment to this ever changing landscape. In 2007, I started with in-person, live teaching to a group of students. With overwhelming response from students and a decade’s worth of invaluable experience, I decided to touch more souls and started to expand my teaching across the country. I began to make maximum utilisation of online platforms and started imparting live coding classes to students from Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat and Kolkata. Post Covid-19, demand for learning coding increased enormously and students from other cities including Bengaluru, Jaipur and Hyderabad also joined in on this revolution.

Whom do you dedicate your success to?

My students make me and rightly so, I dedicate my success to them. I have met and interacted with students, who have been loving, encouraging and supportive throughout my career. Their reciprocative nature has made me reach where I am today.

What message would you like to give to our reader?

I would like to give a message that has always been my principle in teaching. I abide by it and it has shaped my life for the better. My message is that

“The value of education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”

Success is the journey, not the destination.