The Spark

A Question That Never Let Me Go

Many of you ask why I’ve been devoted to transforming education since a decade now and the answer lies in my earliest childhood memory. I can still recall the night before my first day of kindergarten as if it were just yesterday — I was excited, nervous, and full of butterflies in my stomach. Back then, school felt full of promise. But as I progressed through schooling, that excitement slowly turned into dread and despair.

I quickly discovered that school wasn’t always an easy and loving place for a first generation learner like me. While my parents offered the very best of support they could, that was inadequate for the rigor of school as I grew up. Some teachers (especially those who taught math or language) offered harsh judgment, unkind words, and a dismissive attitude instead of the support and guidance I needed. I would often feel that they neither understood my challenges nor cared for me as a person. Even though less than a handful of teachers behaved this way, the harsh experiences made me feel as if the odds were stacked against me — at one point, I even gave up on the idea of continuing school.

Yet in those challenging circumstances, I found hope exemplified by the grace, generosity, and kindness of a few educators. I was fortunate to have their subtle actions and words transform my journey of life beyond school. They would often ask me about my experience, invite me to share a meal, and took the time to understand me. Their kindness and encouragement still reminds me of the true power of education and human connection. One such instance was when my fear of math was replaced by a passion for the subject in Grade 12, thanks to an amazing teacher who not only excelled at teaching but also connected deeply with the students, sharing the purpose and fascinating use cases behind the concepts.

I gained clarity further when I began volunteering at an educational nonprofit. I met dedicated and inspiring teachers who, like those who transformed my life, worked tirelessly every day to support their learners. Witnessing their commitment made me wonder: How can every child receive the support that transformed my own life?

When I reflect deeply on their influence, I realize their magic was in leaving me better than they found me. This has become both my exemplar and a spark for my life-long question: How can I leave behind people and things better than I found them?

It reminds me why I chose to stay in education, why I seek to reform systems, and why I believe that every child deserves teachers who see their potential, encourage their dreams, and guide them to succeed.

That question is the framework for everything I do.
It reminds me why I chose to stay and support initiatives strengthening and reimagining education, and why I believe that every child deserves teachers who see their potential, encourage their dreams, and guide them to succeed.

It’s also the conviction that led me to found the Global Debates and the Global Citizenship Foundation, to support and equip educators around the world to transform education into a force for individual and societal flourishing.

Whether collaborating with my colleagues or working alongside education leaders around the world, I strive to embody the same kindness and belief that once changed my own life. In many ways, this has become my aspirational goal and a quiet pursuit to leave behind people, places, and systems better than I found them.