Parshuram Behera, Ph. D., has more than 25 years of teaching experience, including 16 years in India and the rest in the USA.
He is a certified and highly-qualified teacher for Mississippi in exceptional education – mild/moderate, middle school math, and Algebra I.
Dr. Behera came to teach as an exceptional education teacher at Robert L. Merritt Junior High School of Sunflower County Consolidated School District (SCCSD) in the 2022-23 school year. Currently, he is teaching math in an inclusion class for 9th-grade students. He taught in Humphreys County School District for four years and then moved to SCCSD.
"While working in Humphreys County, I observed that many of our students need more logical thinking to manage daily affairs successfully," shared Dr. Behera. "Children can develop logic by learning different concepts, but math can contribute a lot.”
"Many of my students do not have a support system other than school to continue learning at home during weekends, school breaks, or completing homework given to them," expressed Dr. Behera. "Students who need help outside of school cannot get it due to the unavailability of support at home or in the community. If some support is available during the weekend, they can benefit."
"This thought came to my mind as my childhood resembles this community, and I could grow due to teachers' additional support to me free of cost outside of my school hours," stated Dr. Behera.
He is seeking an opportunity to contribute to the Indianola community as part of his obligation. He learned this concept from his college professor – to donate to the society where one lives or earns.
"I was involved in improving the lives of poor people and orphans by supporting their education through my personal and organizational efforts in India," explained Dr. Behera. "I want to contribute something to the community of Indianola, where I live and earn for my life and small family."
As he is new to this community and can only think of personal effort, he contacted the Sunflower County Library System to ask if he could get a space to voluntarily tutor math to needy students. During a conversation with the director and assistant director of the library, he was asked which grade level he would focus on. His response was for any grade level from K-10, and he disclosed that he can also help students prepare for the ACT.
"The Henry Seymour Library director and her team members welcomed my idea and decided to start math tutoring beginning April 2023," shared Dr. Behera.
Tutoring sessions meet from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. The library address is 200 East Percy Street, Indianola.
Dr. Behera enjoys teaching interested students for that hour and a half on most Saturdays. During this short period of his voluntary service, he has served children from grade level 3 through 11 and he has helped 11th-grade students prepare for the ACT.
