Emma Narvaez
This month, one of Saint Maur’s beloved mathematics teachers (and Grade 9 homeroom teacher), Ms. Gaya, was chosen for Teacher of the Month. Ms. Gaya is known for her firm teaching style, which fosters a structured and disciplined learning environment that allows students to approach complex math concepts with confidence and precision. However, beyond her firm demeanor is her wit and charm that make her classes engaging, memorable, and highly enjoyable for her students. Throughout these 14 questions, Ms. Gaya delves into her life as a child, adult, mother, and teacher.
1. Where were you born?
“I was born in the state of Madhya Pradesh which is literally in the center of India and raised in Pune, in the state of Maharashtra, near Mumbai.”
2. What was your childhood like? Describe it in three words.
“Fun, intense, and super-intense.”
“I lived in Singapore for around six years where education was good but also fun. We didn’t have a lot of homework. But back in India, it was very intense. Luckily, we didn’t have Veracross at the time. My teachers always complained to my parents saying ‘Your daughters come to school without doing any homework!’ Gradually we adjusted to the Indian style of education. That was intense. The final part was getting through University education. Those times were super-intense because I was trying to get a degree.”
3. Do you have any siblings?
“I have a little sister named Arundhati. We also had a dog while we were growing up, a beautiful German Shepherd dog. He was like the third sibling in the family.”
4. What was your dream job when you were a kid?
“I used to tell people ‘I’m going to be an architect’ because I thought the word sounded fancy. I remember at one point I wanted to become a dolphin trainer. That was my dream job.”
5. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done as a teenager?
“Do I look like I did crazy things as a teenager?”
6. What led you to becoming a math teacher?
“I worked in the software industry from 2000 to 2015. Shraddha was born in 2007. As a bilingual software engineer, my daily routine had no boundaries when it came to time. It typically involved starting early in the morning and often extending beyond 9:00 PM when I returned home. The nature of the job required significant dedication and long hours to fulfill the demands of the role. In 2010, I was working at Sony mobile which had been my dream. But I was finding it hard to balance work and life.”
“I felt in my heart that I was being neither a good mother, nor a good employee. So I quit. I cannot describe how incredibly hard it was for me. It felt as if a super fast freight train suddenly came to a screeching halt. I felt lost, purposeless, and scared. But my instinct told me I was doing the right thing. And I was extremely happy to be able to have more time with my family! I could attend Shraddha’s school events and be there for her when she came home.”
“After I quit, I didn’t do anything related to my profession for almost a year. And then one of my daughter’s classmate’s mom came to know that I had a degree in Engineering. When she realized that I also had a Master’s degree in computer science, she suggested I take up teaching Mathematics. And I loved Math! So I started to take up small tutoring work. Then I taught here in Saint Maur as a part-time teacher. Later, the school said that in order to work full time, I must have a teacher’s certification. That’s when I had to make a serious decision. Did I want to get into this profession full time and change my career completely? I made the decision to take a teacher’s certification course and completed it in 2019, thus starting my second career as a Math teacher.”
7. What’s your favorite thing about math?
“My favorite thing about Math is that it is logical and reliable. My favorite thing about teaching it is the satisfaction I get from the process. The interesting thing is, when I was working in the software world, there were times I would ask myself, ‘What am I doing here? Why am I here?’ But since I started teaching, I have never asked myself this question. I am so happy to teach Math because I love to see the faces students make when they understand a seemingly complex concept *makes face of understanding* and I love that face. It reminds me of why I took up teaching!”
8. What is it like having a daughter at Saint Maur?
“I am thrilled to be teaching at the same school where she studies, although I’m not sure if my daughter shares the same sentiment. As a mother, I take immense pride in seeing her in school. If I weren’t teaching here, I wouldn’t fully understand the multitude of tasks you all have to manage. It’s the little things, like running from the high school floor to the middle school floor or the cafeteria, and sometimes not being able to have lunch or forgetting it and going hungry. There is no respite. Observing all of you here and witnessing my daughter go through it has made me more attuned to her and her needs.”
Does she ever ask you for math help?
“This year she hasn’t asked me for help at all. Because, it’s tricky when your parents are teaching you, you know ? Parents tend to say things like, ‘Why don’t you know this? I taught you this like, six years ago.’ It makes teaching and learning difficult. But I am trying to learn how to be a better teacher to her.”
Would you like to help her with math?
“Oh, I’d love to help her with math! I’m here because of her. I would do anything to be a better teacher to her.”
9. What is your favorite thing about your daughter?
“Shraddha? As a child, she was always happy and cheerful. She would brighten up everybody’s day! As a teenager, I love how she can balance extracurricular activities like sports and music with academics. I’m glad that she is able to stay afloat and do something that makes Saint Maur proud of her. Personality wise, she’s a complete extrovert. I like how she can make friends so easily and find a way to talk to them, and be sensitive to them. She’s able to take everybody along and adapt herself to them. I like that about her.”
10. What are your hobbies?
“I love engaging in something creative, like painting or some art project. I also enjoy cooking, especially, trying out new recipes. And I love to watch science fiction shows and movies. When I am walking, I like to listen to YouTubers who talk about current affairs, geopolitics or technology. And I enjoy listening to Elon Musk because he’s always saying something interesting; unless he’s being stupid.”
11. What is your favorite food, movie, book, and song?
Food: Homemade Indian vegetarian food (Sattvic food)
Movie: Most science fiction/fantasy movies e.g. District 9 or The Lord of the Rings series
Book: The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Song: All songs by Arijit Singh
12. Who’s your favorite teacher, or teacher you’re closest with?
“I love working with my homeroom team: Mr. Smith, Mrs. Martin, Mr. Bolaños and Mr. Ito.
13. What are your favorite things about Saint Maur?
“My favorite thing about Saint Maur is that it has a certain expectation of its students – both academically as well as behaviorally and in general, it facilitates students to achieve those expectations.”
14. Do you have any advice for the Saint Maur students?
“Life is long and also wide. What you’re observing right now about yourself is not how you will be forever. Never give up and always work to expand your horizons. Oh, and I love all of you. I love all my students even if they sometimes doubt it!”
Thank you Ms. Gaya for being this month’s Teacher of the Month! We are grateful for you as a dedicated educator and a cherished member of the Saint Maur community.
Emma Narvaez