A reaction is just a story about electrons.
14 years teaching chemistry across Grades 9–12 — physical, organic and inorganic, taught as the rules atoms obey rather than equations to cram. Mechanism first, memorising last, and never a reaction without balancing it.
I was the kid who mixed things under the sink to see what would fizz — and got in trouble for it more than once. Nobody explained why the fizzing happened, just that I should stop. So I became the teacher who explains the why, then hands over the beaker.
If your school wants chemistry taught as mechanism, not memory, I'd love to talk.
A periodic table of <em>expertise</em>
Every branch of chemistry, arranged the way I think about it.
Physical chemistry
thermoOrganic & mechanisms
synthesisInorganic & periodicity
bondingPractical & lab work
titrationJEE / NEET coaching
NSECNumericals
mole conceptEvery class is a <em>controlled reaction</em>
Meena's view — Mechanism first — memorising last.
- 01Open with a reaction — a colour change, a flame, a small controlled surprise.
- 02Ask why: what are the atoms actually doing to make that happen?
- 03The turn — where the equation and the beaker finally agree.
- 04Verify by prediction. If they can call the next reaction, they own it.
Fourteen years, <em>catalysed</em>
Head of Chemistry
Lead a 6-teacher department; built the microscale-lab program that made practicals safe and cheap. Board distinctions rose from 36% to 72% of the cohort, with twelve JEE and olympiad toppers.
Senior Chemistry Faculty
Grades 9–12 physical and organic chemistry; started the mechanism-first organic program and coached the school's first olympiad medallists.
Chemistry Teacher
Grades 9–10; turned "chemistry is just cramming" students into a cohort with the school's strongest practical scores.
Study
M.Sc. Chemistry
IIT MadrasB.Ed. (Physical Science)
St. Teresa's College, ErnakulamB.Sc. Chemistry (Hons)
Maharaja's College, KochiCredentials
Recognition, <em>precipitated</em>
What the <em>bench</em> says
Sir showed us the flame test before the theory. Now I can name the metal before the colour fades.
Karthik Grade 12, 2025My daughter went from fearing organic chemistry to topping the JEE screening. She made mechanisms make sense.
Parent Grade 11 programShe rebuilt our chemistry results and made the lab safe and busy at once. Remarkable.
Principal Rajagiri Public School