Community Highlights: Meet Neetu Chauhan of Small Wonders

Today we’d like to introduce you to Neetu Chauhan.

Hi Neetu, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It all began nearly two decades ago, as my plane landed in an unfamiliar realm: the so-called land of opportunity, but to me a daunting change. I was leaving my life behind—my two masters degrees, my parents, my brothers, my career—to start from scratch in a foreign land. Soon after arrival, I eagerly sought the opportunities America seemed to promise, to advance my career and integrate into the community, yet met dead end after dead end. My daughter was born, and taking care of her and ensuring she never lost touch with her roots became an unexpected full-time job. My ambitious illusions and optimistic spirit dwindled, replaced by a resigned certainty: this country wasn’t made for people like me, and my culture and hope would gradually fade away. I had always been particularly fond of young children, and, to stay close to my daughter, I took a job as a teacher at a nearby preschool. Abruptly, I found myself at awe at the delight and joy it brought me. I shared many of the lessons, techniques, skills, and morals I had learned thousands of miles away.

I taught my students the unique values I had learned as a child, such as to not trample on books to show respect and appreciation for our education. I taught them communication through artistic expression, and even initiated an annual production. These children were my impact on the world—the curiosity in their eyes, the eagerness in their actions, and the impression I hoped to leave with them. I began volunteering with multiple non-profits in the community, notably serving as the local event coordinator for EKAL Vidyalaya, an international organization on a mission of education and empowerment that has constructed over 100,000 schools in rural India. A thrill of happiness rushes through me when I remember there is at least one poor child, somewhere out there, that is attending school, being given an opportunity to change their life like I did…because of me. However, simultaneously, my own children were growing up, and it became a struggle to maintain their connection to their heritage. Despite a schedule teeming with teaching and volunteering, I began to sit down with my younger son to teach him our native language, religion, and customs.

Catching word of the sessions, a few friends and neighbors sent their children. Suddenly, we had an overflowing class. I divided the classes by subject and age group, and it dawned on me that destiny had led me here. This was the joy and opportunity that I had been seeking—teaching these children, these small wonders that carried the legacy of the values and knowledge I had been confident would dwindle with time. I finally opened Small Wonders—my own cultural school. Interest was high, so I hired other instructors that taught a variety of other courses, from Bollywood and classical dance to other ethnic languages. Today, I am proud to be a local business, but even more proud of the passion I have found and legacy I hope to carry on in my students, conquering the fear of the daunted immigrant nearly two decades ago.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I struggled to get a small break in the corporate world. Then  started to look for jobs in Play school, was rejected multiple places because if lack of teachers experience, A church school in south cobb drive accepted me after requesting them for a volunteer opportunity.

We’ve been impressed with Small Wonders, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are passionate on what we teach.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My kids.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://guruschool.weebly.com/

Image Credits
My children Sammy and Aayush