What are some of your favorite books, movies, or quotes that inspire you?

I love reading dystopian fiction. My favorite books are The Giver by Lois Lowry and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. My favorite movie is The Notebook. The quote that inspires me is from Maya Angelou: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." It reminds me that I not only teach content knowledge, but I also provide a safe and welcoming space for my students.

Why did you choose the subject area that you teach?

I was an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) student. Reading and writing were very challenging to me, but I was fortunate to have many supportive teachers who helped me learn with confidence. I wanted to instill a love for reading and writing in my students.

What do you find most rewarding about teaching and working with students?

The most rewarding part of teaching is seeing students make deeper connections with my English lessons. Each student has their own unique experiences and skill sets. I love hearing their stories and incorporating their experiences in my lessons. When students find the lesson is relevant to their lives, they tend to show more motivation and gain more confidence.

Are there any memorable or impactful moments in your teaching career that stand out to you?

One moment was when I learned about a student's struggle with his English essay. He barely participated in class, but in one assignment, he wrote a powerful essay explaining why he had a hard time focusing in school. Learning about his learning challenges and family life was eye-opening and allowed me to form a better relationship with him. Since then, I remind myself that what I see may not be the whole truth. I am now more intentional about building relationships with my students and providing more opportunities for journal writing or to have one-on-one conferences to learn more about them.

Do you have a favorite place on campus? What makes it your favorite?

My favorite place on campus is Roots Farm. Being in nature and helping harvest crops reminds me that I am a part of this beautiful place. I love taking my students to the Roots for ELA content-related activities. We cooked samosas at the Roots when we read the novel, The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani, and it was so much fun!