Teachers in the Spotlight: Bimlendu Mishra

Q1: Where are you from and where did you grow up?

I was born in a small town in India. My parents being in a transferrable government job, I was brought up and schooled across northern and eastern parts of India where my father was mostly posted.

Q2: Tell us about your educational background and teaching experience

I pursued a bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics as major and Chemistry as minor subjects, followed by a master’s in Physics with specialization in Electronics from University of Allahabad in India. I completed my Master’s in Education from University of the People, USA. This is my 26th year of full-time teaching. I have taught IB, British and Indian curricula to year 10-13 students. Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Theory of Knowledge had been my teaching subjects so far. I taught in India for the first 11 years, before I joined an international school in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2007 followed by teaching in Malaysia and China.

Q3: When did you realize you wanted to become a teacher?

Both of my parents were high school teachers, I had a natural inclination towards teaching.

Q4: Who is your biggest role model?

My father had a huge influence on me since I was very young. I am immensely inspired by his progressive thoughts towards human life, despite coming from a very humble background. He believed that to every problem in life, there exists at least one solution that we are challenged to find as humans. Our understanding of this universe that we gain through education and life experience or cultural, family and religious affiliations reflect in our persona and day to day actions, priorities and decisions we make.

Q6: If you could be in any musical or movie or a book character what would it be? Why?

I would love to be the ‘rich dad’ in Robert T. Kiyosaki’s book titled Rich Dad Poor Dad.

Q7: What food is like a guilty pleasure to you?

I have been fond of spicy Indian and Indonesian foods especially Masakan Padang. My wife ensures to adjust the recipes by giving healthy spins to it to reduce guilt, for instance, using olive or flax seeds oil instead of mustard oil, raw spices in place of packaged ones. We use the microwave more than frying.

Q8: Describe yourself in 3 words.

Adaptable, risk taker and compassionate.

Q9: Tell us about your experiences living in China and Suzhou

This is my sixth-year teaching and living in China. It has been a wonderful experience so far in terms of travelling, communicating and cultural emersion. The law enforcement, safety and citizens’ commitment towards following the various systems in place, are what make me feel very safe and secure in this country. I have travelled to different parts of Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Dalian and Xi’an and plan to travel other parts as we move beyond the pandemic.

Q10: How do you find teaching Chinese students/or students?

Teaching Chinese students is a pleasure, their commitment towards hard work and respect for teachers brings job satisfaction to me. Prior to joining Dulwich International High School Suzhou this year, I taught at the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China (Renda Fuzhong) Chaoyang Branch school in Beijing, one of the best public schools in China. Most students, despite coming from a Chinese middle school background, were able to adapt to the international curricula very fast. They applied their best effort to learn, communicate and express themselves in English which is quite commendable.

Q11: Any advice to students at Dulwich international High School Suzhou?

I would say, use all the resources available to you, ask questions, think critically, approach us confidently without any hesitation, we feel privileged to be able to support you and see you succeed in life.

Q12: Favorite: Book? Why?

Robert T. Kiyosaki’s book titled ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’. I find the book a masterpiece in terms of setting priorities in life, and the implications that our actions bring to our children’s perception and life.

Q13: What are your plans for the next 5 years?

The current pandemic has taught us to plan only for the short term for the time being, keeping plans B and C handy! In the short term, I plan to be conservative in travelling to keep myself, my family, students, and colleagues safe and engage myself in pursuing a Doctor of Education course in the area of Curriculum planning. Suzhou is a nice place to live and work and I hope to be here for at least the next five years! On the family front, both my children will finish their university education within the next five years and we curiously look forward towards their adult and family life. 

Once the pandemic is over, I have a huge list of places in China I want to visit. I also plan to travel to India to spend some time with my mother and siblings and have a holiday trip to Japan once international travel resumes.