Teaching with Heart: Girija’s Lifelong Calling in Early Childhood Education
Published October 14, 2025 as a part of the Career Exploration Tool: Stories from the Field series. This series of stories brings to life the many pathways members of Michigan’s early care and education field have taken to achieve their goals, nurture their interests, and achieve success.
For Girija , teaching has never been just a job—it’s a passion that began early and has guided her through every chapter of life. Surrounded by educators in her family and inspired from a young age, Girija always knew she wanted to become a teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education in India with the goal of making a difference in children’s lives. When she moved to the United States, she continued that journey with determination and grace.
Girija began her career in the U.S. as a childcare assistant, quickly transitioning to a teaching assistant in a tuition-based classroom. Her dedication and talent didn’t go unnoticed. Today, she serves as an Associate Teacher in a GSRP classroom, where she leads group activities, supports challenging behaviors, collaborates on lesson planning, and helps guide children through their early learning experiences.
Every day in the classroom is full of energy and purpose. Girija works closely with small groups, encourages individual growth, and monitors classroom dynamics to ensure every child feels supported. What excites her most is seeing how her work contributes to the well-being of families and communities—through positive behavior modeling, supportive relationships, and the promotion of strong values.
The work is not without challenges. Time management and workload can be intense, and emotional stress is real when caring deeply for each child’s development. But Girija brings strength and balance to the role, managing her well-being through yoga, hobbies, and meditation. Her ability to bounce back from difficult moments and maintain a positive mindset has become one of her greatest personal achievements.
Through this career, Girija has developed a powerful set of professional skills—from communication and emotional intelligence to adaptability and leadership. She continues to grow through online trainings, classroom observations, peer learning, and the intentional use of technology.
To those just starting out in early childhood education, her advice is clear and kind: “Be yourself, be kind to yourself, and don’t compare yourself to others.”
When asked what she wishes others knew about her work, her answer is simple yet powerful: “Empathy is my superpower.”
Girija’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and deep care. Whether in India or the United States, in small group activities or large classrooms, she leads with heart—creating learning environments where children are supported, seen, and inspired to grow.