Lower School Computing & Design Teacher
Know Your Pelicans
Can you describe a favorite or memorable moment you've had in the classroom?
Girls come up to me and say they're happy that I, as a female, am their computer teacher. It's shown them that they can go into tech, too, even though it's still a male dominated field.
Tell me about a time when you've learned something from your students.
I learn so much from them every day. This year, for example, I tried playing Minecraft for the first time because my students talk about it so often. At first I was hesitant, but the students have taught me so much about Minecraft and creativity.
Name a book/artwork/piece of music that changed your life and explain how.
I only really listen to Bollywood music, but I also chant Indian mantras a lot, which I find encouraging.
You sometimes draw elaborate pictures on the whiteboard in your classroom. How do art and creativity impact your work in technology?
My father gifted me a computer when I was in college, and I started teaching myself to use it. At the time I was taking art classes and enjoyed cartooning, but when I discovered PhotoShop, I moved completely to tech. I loved that it allowed me to combine technology and art.
But when I came to my new classroom, I saw the whiteboard and the black pen. It took me back to cartooning, and I started doodling again. My students enjoy it, too, and are very encouraging.
What is something that most Packer people wouldn't guess about you?
My first trip to Brooklyn was for my interview at Packer, which was the first job I applied for in the United States!