Physics teacher finds new “home” in teaching

While in America for college, Ashutosh Kumar thought he would receive an American college degree and then return to India. However, he remains in the United States as an AP Physics 1 and IB Physics teacher at Central.

Originally he worked at a software company in the U.S. to support himself. This would all change on the famous date of 9/11. “When I finished my first masters degree 9/11 happened and the whole software market was shattered and I wanted to get a job and the teaching job came first, I have been teaching since then,” said Kumar.

Since his days as a home tutor in India, he realized that he would like to be a teacher. “In India, we do something called home tutoring, we do it here too, but there it is a very famous or nice way to support yourself because a lot of people are always looking for home tutoring and those who are professional teachers they charge more but since I was sixteen at the time it was a good opportunity to make money and help kids,” Kumar said.

Though teaching come as a fall back job, it is satisfying nonetheless. “[I enjoy] Helping kids, seeing their happiness once they realize this is how you complete a problem,” Kumar said.

His family back in India, most notably his father who was a teacher as well, influenced him toward being a teacher. “My dad because he’s a teacher too. His favorite subject is also science and math so he was always encouraging me to do well and if I have any questions or concern he will be the first person to check with,” said Kumar.

While at college in America, it was difficult adjusting to the distinction in education from that of India. “Well in India, they give you assignment which is homework to do but they are not graded. Means if you don’t do you can get punished for that but you never get rewarded. Punishment like corporal punishment where they ask you to stand on one foot for the whole period,” Kumar said. He noted that a student’s performance in school directly correlated as a slacker and that if he or other students viewed one as a slacker “they could not be friends”.

Along with adapting to his education, the change in general life was drastic as well. “I think the one thing was weather the very first time I saw the snow I was so happy I was outside, enjoying catching in my mouth. That was ok for some time but later I would rather have warm weather,” Kumar said.

When he is not teaching, he takes part in some of his other interests. “I like watching movies or cricket if there is a game going on. There were a few English Hollywood movie[s] in India, Jumanzi, I watched it in a theater and I found it very funny,” said Kumar.

As the rest of his family remains in India, he noted that he would consider returning after his retirement. Nevertheless, students will continue to enjoy his teaching, unique methods, and childhood stories.