Krishtika: A Trans Woman Teacher Defying Rejection

In a small town in Karnataka, India, Krishtika has transformed classrooms into places of hope. Despite earning a Master’s in Commerce and a Bachelor of Education, Krishtika faced repeated job rejections after her gender transition, with some prospective employers suggesting she should resort to begging or sex work instead of teaching.

Growing up, Krishtika always knew she felt different, but societal pressures and a lack of understanding made education feel out of reach. The support she found from the Hijra community and her own determination drove her to continue her studies and pursue her dreams. After facing family rejection and humiliation at job interviews, she finally got her first real opportunity from a school in Bailoor, Karkala, that valued her qualifications over her gender identity.

Now, she teaches English to classes 2 through 8, offering not just lessons in grammar but lessons in resilience, dignity, and acceptance. Her headmistress has praised her dedication, asserting that merit and love for teaching should transcend gender bias.

Krishtika’s story reminds us that educational spaces can be both battlegrounds and havens — battlegrounds where bias and exclusion still exist, and havens where perseverance and community support can change lives.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/trans-woman-overcomes-adversity-to-teach-english-at-karkala-school/articleshow/122925622.cms?