Colorado Math Teacher’s Passion Project

A Colorado Teacher’s Journey: From Engineering to Inspiring Students

Gayathri Ramkumar, a math and computer science teacher at Aurora Central High School, a diverse school where approximately half the students are English language learners, is passionate about creating engaging and accessible learning experiences. Her dedication has earned her recognition as a semifinalist for Colorado’s 2026 Teacher of the Year award. Ramkumar’s teaching philosophy is shaped by her own experiences as a student in India and the United States, and she strives to blend the best of both educational systems in her classroom.

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An Unforeseen Path to Education

Ramkumar’s journey to becoming a teacher was not a lifelong aspiration. Twenty-five years ago, she never envisioned herself in a classroom. After working as an engineer, she took time off to raise her children and discovered an unexpected love for teaching them reading and math. This experience ignited a passion that ultimately led her to pursue a career in education.

Blending Educational Philosophies

Having completed her high school and bachelor’s degree in India, Ramkumar experienced a traditional teaching style characterized by extensive note-taking and a heavy workload. Teaching in the United States has provided her with the opportunity to reflect on and compare both educational systems. She integrates the best aspects of each into her teaching approach. For example, when planning a math lesson, she draws inspiration from problem-based curricula, while also incorporating worksheets that she found effective from her own experience as a math student in India.

Engaging Students Through Collaboration and Discovery

As a concurrent enrollment math teacher at the high school level, Ramkumar aims to maintain the academic rigor of college-level math while making it accessible and engaging for her students. She strives to create lessons where students actively explore, discover, and collaborate long before formal definitions or procedures are introduced.

One of her favorite lessons, adapted from Illustrative Math, is called “Info Gap.” This activity promotes precise mathematical communication and problem-solving. Students work in pairs, each receiving a different type of card. One student has a problem card with a problem that needs to be solved but lacks certain key details, such as its degree, intercepts, or end behavior. The other student holds a data card containing the missing information, but they are not allowed to simply give the answers. Instead, the student with the problem card must ask thoughtful, specific questions and explain their reasoning for needing that information to solve the problem.

This lesson format has proven particularly beneficial for multilingual learners, who may hesitate to participate in whole-class settings due to limited confidence with academic English. The “Info Gap” activity provides them with a low-pressure context to use vocabulary related to mathematical concepts.

Guiding First-Generation Students Towards College

Ramkumar also plays a vital role in guiding first-generation students through the college application process. She encourages them to take advantage of free application days by applying to all in-state public universities, even if they are planning to go out of state. She emphasizes that plans can change, and having backup options can reduce stress. She also advises them to answer every question on the college application thoroughly, including those marked optional.

Recognizing the Broader Impact

A message from a student’s mother after Ramkumar was selected as a semifinalist for Teacher of the Year deeply impacted her. The mother expressed pride in seeing someone from the immigrant community being recognized and shared the news with other parents. This message reminded Ramkumar that her work extends beyond academics. She serves as a role model and a source of representation for families in the school community.

Addressing External Challenges

Ramkumar acknowledges that the current political climate and its emotional toll on immigrant families and first-generation college students significantly affects her classroom. Many of her students navigate fear, financial instability, and uncertainty about their futures while trying to succeed academically.

To support her students, Ramkumar connects them with school counselors, former students, and college access programs. She collaborates with families to ensure they feel informed and supported. She also offers extra academic support through flexible office hours, tutoring sessions, and culturally responsive teaching strategies that validate students’ identities. Her goal is to help students thrive and remind them that college and long-term success are within their reach, even when the path feels uncertain.

The Role of Advocacy

One misconception Ramkumar initially held about teaching was the extent to which teachers advocate for their students, colleagues, and the community. She now recognizes that teachers are constantly advocating for better and equitable school policies and systemic structures, in addition to teaching their subject matter.

Finding Enjoyment in Reading

In her free time, Ramkumar enjoys reading historical fiction and fantasy fiction.