As a student, I was...well, average. I studied hard, I always had more questions than my teachers had time for. I needed more time than others to understand things. I didn’t hate learning; I just didn’t enjoy the way it was served. After college, I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do. I didn’t know my true interests or my strengths. Like many others, I wandered through internships, hoping something would eventually click. That’s when I stumbled upon teaching. I went in expecting a tedious routine, but instead, I found creativity. Splitting oranges for a math lesson, sneaking in movie references to explain concepts, using a paper clip to demonstrate what a conjunction does—teaching turned out to be more thrilling than I’d ever imagined. Every day brought moments of wonder, excitement, and joy. This led me to Teach for India’s fellowship, where I found myself in a Grade 4 classroom at a government school in Chennai. The students were full of potential. But they faced significant barriers—poverty, lack of support, emotional neglect and inadequate resources. I realised we were dealing with a complex and ongoing problem—one that couldn’t be solved overnight. My quest began: What does it take to give every child, no matter their background, access to an education that helps them thrive? Driven by this commitment, I began working closely with teachers. As a student, I had often wished my teachers understood me better. Now, I saw the other side. Overworked and under-resourced, teachers were often forced to work within a system that didn’t equip them to meet the diverse needs of their students. The more I worked with teachers, the clearer it became: they were grappling with a system ill-equipped to effectively support them or their students. Teachers are expected to be mentors, guides, and role models, but without the right support and resources, they are left managing crowded classrooms, with little time to address individual needs. The system demands results but doesn’t offer the resources to create environments where every child can flourish. This gap—between what’s needed and what’s available—was overwhelming. I wanted to understand how to support them because I learnt that without empowered teachers, meaningful change in the classroom was impossible. I took on the challenge of figuring out what real, effective support for teachers could look like—whether it’s helping them manage the emotional weight of their roles, creating lessons that engage all types of learners, or designing assessments that test more than just rote memory. I pivoted toward content development, designing curriculums, assessments, creating programs and instructional materials. This shift allowed me to influence not just individual classrooms but entire educational systems. Teaching isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure. And what an adventure it has been! Every step of this journey has reinforced my belief that education is the cornerstone of a renewed world—a world brimming with unity, peace, growth, innovation, kindness, and responsibility. Now, Mark—my husband, a corporate professional who’s seen firsthand the long-term effects of an outdated education system—joins me on this journey. While his career is in business, Mark has witnessed the difference a strong, holistic education can make—opening doors to a brighter, better future. Together, we envisioned a vibrant community where learning extends beyond the classroom, where messes are embraced, every question is celebrated, and every mistake is seen as a step towards greatness. And so, Eden was born. The name, Eden, meaning "delight," felt like the perfect choice for what we wanted to create—a place where children can thrive, learn, and grow with joy. The inspiration came from the Garden of Eden. In the Bible, God created the Garden of Eden as a perfect environment, describing it as “very good.” Adam and Eve lived and learned in harmony with nature, enjoying fullness of life, making choices, and understanding the consequences of those choices. It was a model of what education could be—an environment where curiosity, responsibility, and freedom all coexisted. That image has always stayed with me. Every time I’d hear the story of the Garden of Eden, I’d imagine what it must have been like to live and learn in a space designed so thoughtfully. That’s what we wanted for our school—a space where learning unfolds naturally, where children are free to explore, and grow without feeling rushed or stressed. At Eden School, we bring this image to life by creating an environment where every child can experience the joy of discovery, the thrill of solving problems, and the peace of knowing they have the support they need. It’s not just a school—it’s a community. Here, students support one another, teachers serve as mentors, and families actively engage in the learning journey. To us, Eden is a reflection of what we believe education should be: a place where every child is given the chance to thrive. Our quest continues. We do not have all the answers but we do have questions. We’re excited to embark on this journey, and we invite you to join us—let’s make this journey together and see where it takes us! Welcome to Eden. In hope and joy, Adelene