The education sector is undergoing a profound transformation, with technology playing a pivotal role in reshaping traditional teaching methodologies. In this era of rapid technological advancement, educators find themselves on an everevolving journey to integrate innovative tools into their teaching practices. Saarthi Pedagogy, an AI-backed learning management company, is at the forefront of empowering educational institutions to seamlessly integrate technology into classrooms, enhancing the overall learning experience for students.

Deepika Tandon, the dynamic Chief Product Officer at Saarthi Pedagogy, stands at the forefront of transforming education through innovative technological solutions. With a rich expertise in educational sector and a passion for leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences, Deepika has played a pivotal role in shaping Saarthi's mission to make quality education accessible to all. With a focus on creating a collaborative and technology-driven educational ecosystem, Deepika fosters an environment where every learner can thrive and reach their full potential.

Please share insights into the early years of your life?

Looking back at my early years in Delhi, my education journey was greatly influenced by my geography teacher. She taught me that being an educator is more than just delivering lessons — it's about guiding and being a friend.

These lessons stayed with me as I raised my two boys. I realized the importance of being a supportive guide rather than just a teacher. This philosophy has guided my professional journey, and I've embraced the role of an educator with the goal of being both a mentor and a friend to my students.

What is your prior industry experience, and what are your key areas of expertise as a leader?

My journey in education began informally, teaching my own children as we moved across India. Recognizing my knack for connecting with kids, I started my career as a supervisor, overseeing teachers and classrooms. Feeling a disconnect, I ventured into direct interaction with students, entering classrooms daily to teach. I subsequently held various roles, including founder principal of a school and Academic head of Group schools in Ahmedabad.

A pivotal turning point occurred when I became a founding member of Saarthi Pedagogy. I delved into designing child-centered content, transforming my perspective. This shift continued as I met Sushil Agarwal, CEO and Founder of Saarthi Pedagogy, who introduced me to tailor-made learning using technology. This marked my entry into the realm of educational technology, aligning with the evolving needs of students, teachers, and parents.

Introduce us to Saarthi Pedagogy? What is the underlying idea behind the venture and its USP?

Saarthi Pedagogy, an AI-backed learning management company founded in 2017, is dedicated to making quality education accessible to all. Recognizing the uniqueness of each learner, our platform offers a tailor-made model that leverages technology to deliver a customized, seamless learning experience for students, teachers, and schools.

Our mission is to provide world-class educational solutions, covering K-12 to higher education. With a team of experienced professionals and a state-of-the-art technology platform, we've successfully served over 5000 schools and impacted 8,00,000 students across India. From a humble start with a team of three, we've grown into a dedicated group of over 350 Saarthians committed to delivering the best quality education for everyone.

What are the various roles & responsibilities you shoulder as the Chief Product Officer at Saarthi Pedagogy?

In my role as the Chief Product Officer at Saarthi, I oversee a diverse set of responsibilities encompassing both edtech and publication. Initially focused on creating a tailor-made product for individual students and teachers, I delved into the design of physical products alongside digital solutions.

To address the unique needs of affordable schools, we ventured into designing our own curriculum and books, starting with the pre-primary segment. Recognizing a prevalent concern of reading disability, we adopted a backward design model, understanding the needs of Grade 1 and expanding the curriculum up to Grade 10. My involvement expanded to form the product division, where we assembled a team of expert faculties to design child-centered curriculum and books. We aimed to empower students to lead their own learning, with teachers playing a supportive role. This involved not only designing physical books but also creating a better version of our application, integrating content in the form of books and digital videos.

Recognizing the importance of effective content delivery, we took steps to support teachers. We designed animation videos, content delivery guides, and teachers' manuals, providing physical and digital training to ensure effective implementation of our curriculum.

What challenges do you face in your current role, and how do you address them?

In my current role, one of the most critical challenges revolves around teacher training. Despite the uniformity of children across diverse settings, ensuring that teachers are equipped with the necessary skills posed a significant hurdle. The key challenge was identifying and addressing gaps in teacher training.

To overcome this challenge, we have adopted a focused approach, emphasizing consistent and ongoing training. Recognizing that periodic sessions were insufficient, we provided teachers with 24/7 support through small, targeted modules and videos. This approach allowed for continuous assessment, feedback, and a dynamic training strategy that included role plays and gap identification.

What are the key milestones in your professional journey, and what guides your success?

One of the most significant milestones in my professional journey has been the joy of entering classrooms and fostering a positive environment for students. As a principal, maintaining an open-door policy and actively engaging with students, including sharing meals with them, has been a rewarding experience. The satisfaction of bringing smiles to children's faces and making learning enjoyable for them is, in itself, a monumental achievement. In this pious and deeply satisfying profession, each journey and milestone contribute to continuous learning, making it challenging to pinpoint specific milestones. Even after many years, the commitment to discovering and embracing new aspects of education remains a constant.

I focus on creating prototypes and clones, aiming to groom and train individuals under me. I believe in the philosophy of developing others to the extent that they can seamlessly take over and advance the company or venture, even in my absence. Grooming others and creating capable successors is my approach rather than seeing leadership as a personal attribute.

Deepika Tandon, Chief Product Officer, Saarthi Pedagogy

Deepika Tandon is a visionary leader dedicated to revolutionizing education through the seamless integration of technology.