A passionate teacher is the key to success in any subject. When it comes to top-of-the-line teachers, North Atlanta High School never falls short. A great example of a teacher who demonstrates passion and integrity while giving their all is NAHS chemistry teacher Aruna Kailasa.
Throughout adolescence, Kailasa was always on top of her studies and valued having an education. She attended the prestigious Kakatiya University in Warangal, India, where she majored in physical chemistry. At university, Kailasa looked forward to any activity that took place in a laboratory. She thoroughly enjoyed every opportunity that she was given. “The college experience was much different a couple of decades ago; we were so obedient,” said Kailasa. “There was no such thing as Google, so real research took place in a library with textbooks.”
Though Kailasa knew that she excelled in science, she was unsure of what career path she wanted to pursue. At one point in time, she started to become a doctor, however, as her interest in mathematics increased, she was no longer sure if doctoring was what she was destined for. After obtaining her Ph.D., she began looking for jobs in the research department and eventually pursued a couple of teaching opportunities. She immediately fell in love. “Being around students of so many different backgrounds felt empowering,” she said. “I appreciate being able to learn from others while giving them knowledge of my own.”
After becoming a full-time teacher, Kailasa finally felt fulfilled. Being in a high school environment is very special to her. She believes that the best part of being a teacher is being surrounded by the youth, which in turn brings her back to her childhood days. She loves being able to help students find their strong suits and gain confidence in the classroom. According to Kailasa, being a great teacher is more than simply following a curriculum. Her biggest goal is to cater to all of her students, regardless of their backgrounds. “The biggest thing to remember is that every student is talented in one way or another,” said Kailasa. “Even if that talent has nothing to do with chemistry.”
The passion that Kailasa has for teaching is most certainly felt among her students. She is a role model who cares for students inside and outside of the classroom and will continue to inspire students of North Atlanta.
