Born and raised in Ujjain, Shailendra Potdar transformed personal struggles into purpose. With 19 years of dedication to teaching mathematics, he has guided countless students, proving that true success lies in shaping lives, earning respect, and opening new doors through education.

Shailendra Potdar is a popular and renowned Mathematics Teacher in Ujjain. He runs his coaching institute named “Mathematics Mind,” where he teaches students from Classes 9 to 12. Apart from Mathematics, the institute also has other faculties for additional subjects, especially for Classes 9 and 10.

His teaching career began with his sister, then her friends, their siblings, and gradually expanded through word of mouth. Even today, this path continues. He currently runs around five to six batches daily and teaches hundreds of students every year. While he may not remember exact numbers, he strictly follows his teaching principles.

One of his core rules is never having more than 30 students in a batch. He believes that students come with trust, and it is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure meaningful outcomes. When a student progresses in life, the teacher’s name and reputation naturally grow alongside.

Potdar has been teaching Mathematics for the past 19 years. He recalls that on 1st July 2006, he taught his very first student. After teaching his first student, he was unsure whether teaching would become his lifelong profession. At that time, he was still focused on his dream of becoming an engineer. He had cracked the PET examination with 86% marks despite severe financial constraints. He could not afford coaching classes or expensive reference books, so he borrowed books from his teacher and studied independently. Although he secured admission to a college, financial difficulties forced him to cancel it. He describes this as one of the most painful moments of his life, a time when tears filled his eyes.

Coincidentally, that same day was the final match of the first T20 World Cup between India and Pakistan, a day of nationwide celebration. While the country rejoiced, he was returning home after canceling his admission. Despite this personal tragedy, he believes that life must move forward. His message to students and parents is simple yet powerful—when one door closes, another surely opens.

Shailendra Potdar was born in Ujjain, the sacred land of Mahakal Baba, a city renowned across the country for the divine presence of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. He feels extremely blessed and grateful to have been born in this holy city. Ujjain is also the land of Guru Sandipani, whose Ashram, where Lord Krishna received his teachings, is still present there. Shailendra Potdar feels fortunate that he not only learned in the same city but, today, as a teacher himself, is carrying forward the legacy of imparting knowledge to students. He considers this one of the greatest achievements of his life.

He believes that the level at which you teach or the method you use is secondary; what truly matters is earning the position of a Guru, which itself is a divine blessing. He had never imagined that he would enter the field of teaching or receive such an opportunity in life. Yet, he feels deeply fulfilled working in the field of education and contributing to society through learning and knowledge.

Shailendra Potdar has lived in Ujjain since childhood and completed his schooling there itself. He studied up to Class 12 at Modern Higher Secondary School. He then pursued his graduation from Vikram Vishwavidyalaya, followed by post-graduation with an M.Sc. in Mathematics, and later completed his B.Ed.

He shares that he always had a strong desire to become an engineer due to his deep interest in Mathematics. According to him, from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep, Mathematics is present in every aspect of life. While many people try to run away from Maths, he believes no one truly can, because when something is used constantly throughout the day, it should be embraced as a part of life rather than feared.

He also observes that many people develop a fear of Mathematics and start believing that they are incapable of understanding it. His message is clear—do not let Maths control you; instead, learn to control Maths. He made Mathematics his life’s goal and worked hard toward becoming an engineer. However, due to certain personal and financial challenges, that dream could not be fulfilled.

With time, he realized that when something does not happen, it is often because God has a different plan. He once dreamed of going abroad and exploring the world, but he strongly believes that Lord Mahakaleshwar had other plans for him. He feels that Mahakal is everything in his life—from giving him birth in this sacred city to shaping every aspect of his life. He believes that he was meant to stay in Ujjain and help students grow, learn, and move forward in life.

He strongly advises parents not to scold or demotivate their children when they fail. Failure does not define the end; it often marks the beginning of something new. Though he once dreamed of becoming an engineer, today he proudly says that he has helped create many engineers through his teaching. He carries no regrets—only motivation and gratitude.

Though he is not an engineer, he takes immense pride in hearing students say, “With the help of our sir, we became engineers.” After 19 years in this field, he has countless students who return after achieving success, reinforcing his belief in the power of education.

He fondly recalls how one of his teachers believed in him and assured him, “You can do it. I am standing behind you; you just focus on your work.” These words remain etched in his memory. He taught in a school for a year, after which the school owner, Mr. Sethi entrusted him with teaching higher classes from 9th to 12th.

One of his proudest moments was when his Class 8 Mathematics teacher, whom he considers his idol, called him to teach her grandchild studying in Class 12. He regards this as his first and biggest achievement—a reflection of the trust his teacher had in him. Similarly, his teachers from Classes 9, 10, 11, and 12 also invited him to teach their children. One such student scored 100 marks in Class 10 and 97 in Class 12, and today works as a Probationary Officer in a bank.

He considers his teachers and parents as his role models. His parents stood by him during his toughest phase and protected him from depression when his engineering dream ended. Their faith that new doors would open gave him strength.

Today, he believes that the respect he receives as a teacher surpasses any professional title. People greet him with folded hands, touch his feet, and address him as “Sir,” regardless of age or status. This respect, he feels, is the true measure of success.

Mathematics Minds Founder Shailendra Potdar advises people to move forward in life with dignity, never fear problems, and never fall into depression. He urges today’s youth to understand that failure does not mean the end. Doors will always open if one continues to believe and persist.

A quote by Swami Vivekananda deeply inspires him:

“सारी शक्तियां आपके अंदर ही हैं। आप बस आगे बढ़ो, शक्तियां अपने आप काम करेंगी।”

This quote is written in his classroom as a daily reminder to students.

He also finds inspiration in a motivational song by Kishore Kumar:

“रुक जाना नहीं तू कहीं हार के, काँटों पे चल के मिलेंगे साये बहार के। ”

He believes that if one understands and lives by these words, no goal in life is unattainable.

He encourages everyone to draw inspiration from faith—whether in God, a mentor, or an ideal—and believe that someone is always standing behind you. With faith, perseverance, and confidence, one can keep moving forward and growing in life.