Daily dose of joy
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
1980s
Overall high school experience
10/10. I loved [high school name omitted].
Grades in high school
Mostly A's.
Best subjects
English, Foreign Language, Performing Arts
Struggled with...
I was a very good student, but I had no passion or deep understanding for chemistry. I could still get good grades, but I didn't like the subject.
Favorite extracurricular
Performance Art
Life since high school
“One big mistake I made growing up was caring too much what other people thought about what I said, wore, or acted like. Now that I have perspective, I realize that no one really cares about that stuff as much as I thought they did and no one was as judgmental as I imagined they were.”
Attended college / university at
Wellesley College.
Majored in
English/Art History.
Post-graduate education or training
MA Education, UC Berkeley
Places lived in US
California, Massachusetts
Current occupations / past occupations
Elementary school teacher
Industries I've worked in
- Educational Services
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Yes
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
Yes. From museum work to teaching.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
Finding a community of people who love and support you and finding meaningful work where you can do something positive and selfless every day.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
I am a teacher and experience great joy every day in my job. To me, that is a great accomplishment. I have learned that I am my most authentic, creative, and happy self when I have a joyful mindset.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
One big mistake I made growing up was caring too much what other people thought about what I said, wore, or acted like. Now that I have perspective, I realize that no one really cares about that stuff as much as I thought they did and no one was as judgmental as I imagined they were.
An unexpected event that changed my life and how it impacted me
I was preparing for a career in museum work, when I started volunteering at a school. Up until then, I had never thought about teaching or working with kids. When you discover your true passion, it can sometimes hit you like a giant wave. My whole life and career changed over a period of months.
My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
I like the community garden behind Eleanor Park. The New Varsity Theater was my favorite hangout, but it's a hipster coffee shop now.
[map pointing to Eleanor Pardee Park]
