Becoming a Fellow

An integral part of the Teach For Bangladesh programme is attracting young teachers to come and teach. And it is not as easy as it might sound. While some young teachers drop out of MBA programmes from some of the most prestigious universities in the country to become a TFB fellow, others spend months trying to fit into society, where young graduates joining a multinational and making a fortune makes more sense, rather than teaching at primary schools for half the salary.

With a degree in Law from the University of London, and postgraduate degrees in Business (BRAC University) and Education, Leadership, Planning and Management (BRAC University), Kazi Mitul Mahmud decided to join the TFB Fellowship to "help alleviate the persistent and vicious inequities in Bangladesh." According to the 25-year-old, Mitul, like many others of his age in the country, is capable of overcoming immense challenges and finding effective ways of solving problems. "TFB is part of a global movement that focuses on teachers as leaders. This particular aspect of the programme is what attracted me more than any other development organizations," he says. Mitul has been teaching since November 2013. "I had some experience in teaching before applying here but I had no idea that teaching could be so empowering and liberating for both teachers and students until I learned about the Fellowship. The professional development and mentoring opportunities offered at TFB also set it apart."

It took Munia Islam Mozumder quite some time to convince her family to let her teach. "It was really hard for me to make my family understand," says the 22-year-old. With postgraduate degrees in Pharmacy from Jahangirnagar University and Education, Leadership, Planning and Management from BRAC University, her parents expected something else all together. "I was going to be a primary school teacher after completing my internship at a multinational pharmaceutical company as a pharmacist, and that was way too unconventional for the family! They expected me to join a company like my other classmates. However, I explained to my father and told him that I wanted to serve my country at the very beginning of my professional life. He was supportive afterwards. He even took me to Malaysia to watch the academy (residential training programme) of Teach For Malaysia. Teach For Bangladesh helped me to get this connection in this regard." Munia has been teaching since November 2013.

"Joining the Fellowship was a major life changing decision for me. I had to think a lot about leaving the MBA I had joined, so that I could do the Fellowship." Sakeef Mahboob Bin Ahsan has been teaching since November 2013. Eventually, the 25-year-old decided to give it another shot at creating a balance between doing his MBA and working for the TFB programme. "I subsequently got selected for a part-time MBA at IBA, Dhaka University," he says. "So the decision to leave, worked out in my favour. Even though, leaving a regular master's programme for a job is considered a taboo in Bangladesh."

For 22-year-old Sarder Tawhid Imam, the experience with the kids has been amazing. "The most rewarding thing has been the affection I have received from all my students," he says. "I have learnt more about life and values from my students than anyone before. My students have changed my perception of seeing the world and all its events. I am grateful that they are a part of my life." He has been teaching since November 2013.

And there are many more similar stories, if one is interested to sit and listen. But what is inspiring about these young fellows is that, they have decided to break conventions and do something different and worthwhile. These fellows belong to the list of doers in Bangladesh. Fortunately for us, the list gets bigger and better.