Archives: Meet Our India Fulbrighters

Shubhrika Pansari

Ms. Shubhrika Pansari is an Assistant Professor in English at the Department of Law, Maharaja Surajmal Institute in New Delhi. She has qualified in the UGC NET three times and teaches literature and communication skills to undergraduate and postgraduate students. She has an MPhil in English Literature from Department of English & Culture Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh where she worked on her dissertation titled Feminine Voices in Retelling of Ramayana: A Study of Select Texts. Additionally, she has completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Translation from Indira Gandhi National Open University.

In her academic oeuvre, Shubhrika has presented papers at various national and international conferences. Her research areas include Indian mythology and Indian fiction. She loves mandala art and creates art from waste materials. She in fascinated by the diversity of cultures and loves to curate cultural events.

As a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant, Shubhrika is teaching Hindi at Mississippi Valley State University. In addition to her teaching duties, she plans to foster a deeper understanding of Indian culture by exchanging knowledge about the diverse social, religious, and regional practices that shape the language. She is working on finding a way to link the East and the West through art and literature. She aspires to utilize her Fulbright experiences to explore new teaching methods amidst the traditional approach of teaching in her own country, and to come up with more hands-on and practice-oriented pedagogies grounded in art and literature.

Ananya Mishra

Ms. Ananya Mishra is a PhD candidate in English at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, working in the areas of life writing, gender, and class. She has taught English language and literature at postgraduate, undergraduate, and middle school levels, and currently teaches a diploma course in translation. Fluent in Hindi and English, with beginner-level proficiency in French, she brings a multilingual and multicultural approach to her teaching. She enjoys engaging with music, cinema, theatre, and art, and loves playing the guitar. She is deeply passionate about exploring local and global cultures and aims to explore cross-cultural dialogues between India and the US.

As a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at the Michigan State University, Ananya is not only representing and communicating the rich and pluralistic culture of India but also immersing herself in the diverse traditions, histories, and lived experiences of American society. She believes that the medium of teaching and learning in and beyond classrooms can be an effective approach to building such cultural bridges.

Aakash Sharma

Mr. Aakash Sharma is an Assistant Professor of English Literature and Language at the University of Delhi. With a master’s degree in English and ongoing doctoral research at the Department of English, University of Delhi, his scholarship is centered on the Partition of India, exploring how politics shapes collective memory and the negotiation of identities in its aftermath. His academic interests extend to cultural memory studies, the politics of representation in South Asian narratives, and post-colonial theory.

Affiliated with the University of Delhi’s Centre for Independence and Partition Studies, Aakash conducts oral history interviews with survivors of Partition. By preserving these lived experiences, he seeks to illuminate the persisting impact of Partition for future generations, viewing it not as a distant historical event but as a pivotal moment that continues to shape contemporary society and individual lives. His research, published in reputed journals, critically examines issues of representational politics in literature and cinema.

As a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant, Aakash is teaching Hindi at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he is committed to fostering cross-cultural dialogue and deepening students’ engagement with Indian culture. He views language teaching as a vital bridge to intercultural understanding and global citizenship. Aakash intends to integrate the pedagogical insights and intercultural perspectives gained through the Fulbright program into his teaching and research in India.

Tripti Sharma

Ms. Tripti Sharma is a dedicated PGT biology teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya IIP, Dehradun, where she imparts her knowledge and passion for biology to urban class students. With a postgraduate degree in zoology, she possesses a strong academic foundation that enriches her teaching methodology.

In addition to her teaching role, Tripti is a trained counsellor from NCERT. She has actively engaged in counselling both students and adults as a regular Manodarpan counsellor. Her efforts extend beyond individual support; she has contributed to educational discussions by delivering insightful talks during Sahyog and Paricharcha sessions organized by NCERT. Tripti’s multifaceted approach to education, combining biological sciences with mental well-being, highlights her commitment to nurturing holistic development among her students.

Tripti views her participation in the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program as a transformative opportunity. She is being exposed to innovative teaching methodologies, advanced instructional strategies, and effective integration of technology in the classroom. By engaging with educators from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, she is acquiring a global perspective on education and building lasting networks for collaboration. Tripti is excited to immerse herself in U.S. educational practices and culture, while also sharing her own rich experiences and traditions. She sees the program as a chance to strengthen her teaching skills, contribute meaningfully to her school and community upon her return, and grow as an educator committed to fostering excellence in her field.

Sonbon Anthony D’souza

Mr. Sonbon Anthony D’souza teaches English at Telangana State Model School, and Junior College, Maripeda, Mahabubabad, Telangana. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has dedicated his career to nurturing students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. He holds a master’s degree in English and a bachelor’s in education.

Anthony is actively involved in training teachers at the district and state levels. He has served as a key resource person for the prestigious English Language Enrichment Course and contributed to curriculum development for the Telangana Open School Society’s SSC and Intermediate textbooks. He was recognized with the District Best Teacher Award in 2023 for his innovative teaching methods and his contributions during the pandemic. His classroom story was published in the national journal *Teachers Muse*, showcasing his commitment to education.

Through the Fulbright TEA program, Anthony is exploring innovative teaching methodologies to make learning more participatory and impactful. Upon returning, he envisions organizing language development programs for students and teachers to enhance their communication skills, foster self-confidence, and prepare them for future academic and career opportunities. He also intends to share his Fulbright journey and learnings through workshops, seminars, and educational forums, while creating opportunities for cross-cultural collaborations and meaningful academic partnerships.

Tajamul Naseem Lone

Mr. Tajamul Naseem Lone is an accomplished educator with over ten years of teaching experience. He teaches biology and environmental science at the secondary school stage, integrating information and communication technology based approaches to foster interactive and innovative learning. As an Innovation in-charge at school and district levels, he addresses societal challenges through technological solutions and promotes creative problem-solving among students. He has an MPhil in zoology and master’s in environmental science, public administration, and education. He is dedicated to environmental conservation and awareness initiatives.

Through the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement program, Tajamul is strengthening his teaching methods, building cross-cultural competencies, and engaging with innovative educational practices. After returning, he plans to apply the knowledge gained to improve curriculum delivery, encourage global awareness among students, and foster an inclusive and dynamic learning environment in his community.

Senthil Selvan Jayam

Mr. Senthil Selvan Jayam is a Mathematics teacher with 20 years of experience, instructing students of grades 6 through 10 at the Government Higher Secondary School in Kallur, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu. He holds a master’s degree and a M.Phil in mathematics, as well as a bachelor’s degree in education. His contributions to developing the information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure at his school, effectively integrating ICT into his classroom teaching, and creating educational content has earned him numerous awards, including the National ICT Award.

Senthil is learning about new technologies and pursuing professional development through the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement program. He is enthusiastic about the opportunity to teach in American schools and to experience the US educational system. After completing this program, he intends to share his learnings with fellow educators in detail. He firmly believes that this exchange of knowledge will benefit not only him but also his school and the larger teaching community.

Sampat Kumar Kokkula

Mr. Sampat Kumar Kokkula is a teacher of English at Zilla Parishad High School (Girls), Uppal, in Hanumakonda District, Telangana. He has 27 years of teaching experience. He has master’s degrees in English, zoology, education, and psychology. He is a state resource person and a research fellow at the National Institute of Technology, Warangal. His efforts aim to build confidence, communication, and critical thinking abilities among students and promote girl’s education. His vision is one of better teaching standards and student outcomes.

Sampat completed the online courses The American English E-Teacher Program, 21st Century Skills and English Language Teaching from Regional English Office-India, Certificate in English Language Teaching from Regional Institute of English, Bangalore, and Foundation Course from Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, New Delhi. He completed the British Council’s Action Research Mentoring Scheme project. He designed the Techy Kids project, which connected students to global platforms during the pandemic. He conducted training sessions, webinars and conferences to help teachers adopt modern teaching techniques. Being a representative of the English Language Teachers Association, Telangana, he coordinated state-level storytelling, Spell Wizard, Elocution, and Drama competitions and English Olympiad. He took an active role in the project ‘Communicative English for Chenchu Children’. He wrote a drama script that integrated many discourses.

As a Fulbright TEA fellow, Sampat is working on advanced teaching methods and individualized strategies for inclusive education. He aims to integrate technology into classrooms and strengthen community involvement by adopting practices from the United States’ education system.

Ashoshika Bhadoria

Ms. Ashoshika Bhadoria, a Lecturer in Political Science at a Delhi government school since 2008, is dedicated to making education accessible and inclusive. She organizes weekend classes for underprivileged children in suburban areas near her school, emphasizing that the size of one’s classroom is as big as one’s imagination allows it to be. Former students now pursuing higher education support this initiative. Together, they run these classes and manage a makeshift library in the community, promoting reading habits and constructive engagement among children.

As the school’s Teacher Development Coordinator, Ashoshika enhances the academic environment by encouraging innovative teaching strategies and fostering collaboration among colleagues to address common challenges. Her expertise extends to curriculum planning with institutions such as NCERT, CBSE, SCERT, and DIETs, aligning her work with the National Education Policy 2020.

As a participant in the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Ashoshika is developing student-centered strategies to bridge the digital divide and share her experiences in community-driven education. As a political science teacher, she strives to enable her students to understand global challenges and collaborate on sustainable solutions.

Abhilash Ashok

Mr. Abhilash Ashok is a dedicated English language educator with over 15 years of teaching experience, known for his innovative approach to English Language Teaching (ELT). Holding an MA, MPhil, and currently pursuing a PhD in English Language Teaching, Abhilash is passionate about exploring and implementing creative pedagogical strategies that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

Adept in using theatre pedagogy as a dynamic tool in his classrooms, Abhilash combines creativity with practical teaching methods to improve students’ language proficiency and confidence. His contributions extend beyond the classroom, manifesting in impactful workshops for teachers on prestigious platforms such as the International Conference on English Language Teaching in Arabia, hosted by the University of Qatar.

As a scholar-practitioner, Abhilash has contributed to academic research. His paper, published in the International Journal of Curriculum Development and Learning Measurement, highlights his commitment to advancing the field of ELT through scholarly inquiry.

As a Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program fellow, Abhilash is engaging in cross-cultural academic exchanges, learning from global educational practices, and refining his expertise in innovative teaching methodologies.

Through this opportunity, Abhilash seeks to inspire students and educators to embrace transformative learning experiences that have a lasting impact.