North Atlanta High School prides itself on the vast diversity of not only its students but its teachers, too. Behind every classroom door is a story, and many teachers’ stories started in completely different regions of the world! All of our beloved foreign teachers bring a bit of home to their classrooms, creating the diverse North Atlanta atmosphere.
The bustling streets of Telangana, India, with the historic ruins of Warangal standing since the 12th century, seem like a world away compared to the Atlanta skyline. Yet for chemistry teacher Aruna Kailasa, this scenery marks where her story began. In her culture, education and respecting one’s elders are highly valued, and Kailasa now takes these values from home to mold the minds of the next generation of students. In India, education is very valueble and held to a very high level. “Because of the population, getting a job becomes difficult, and I’m so fortunate that I had a federal job,” said Kailasa. “Education is the most important thing, and teachers are respected in society.”
In a small village in Guinea flowing with the sweet scent of mango trees, history teacher Caitlin Tripp discovered both her love for learning and the importance of being a woman. Growing up, she loved to play with her neighbors, singing traditional ryhymes, clibmbing mango trees. Often, she never actually put shoes on, always running barefoot. Tripp gained an opportunity to learn that not everyone was provided with, and she became determined to provide the eduation that many lacked, not only for herself but for all her students, whom she deeply cares for. “But I think growing up in Guinea made me very aware of my gender and the way that I’m seen in the world because of it,” said Tripp.
Raised in the lively streets of London, Robin Oliver brings a touch of British wit and charm to his French classroom. Oliver grew up around double-decker buses, rainy mornings, and the aroma of tea filling the air. After years enduring the difficult British school curriculum, Oliver brings a piece of his home to the classroom every day while touching the hearts of all his students. “Schools in the U.K. have a very different concept. It’s tougher in the sense that everything is test-based, so if you’re not a good test-taker, you tend to struggle more,” said Oliver.
Throughout all seven continents, each teacher’s story contributes a piece of their home to North Atlanta’s diverse culture. Their stories prove that learning isn’t limited by borders and that the world is full of lessons waiting to be discovered.
