Srivani Gandikota

From struggling to understand math in school, to now becoming a geometry teacher, Srivani Gandikota is looking forward to teaching on campus this year. Wingspan talked with the UT Arlington graduate about how her first couple weeks having her own classroom have been.

Wingspan: How have your first weeks at school been?

Gandikota: “It’s been pretty good. I student taught before and this is like nothing like it. It’s crazy how different it is once you’re actually in the field. There’s a lot less behavioral issues than with my previous school, but a lot more responsibilities when it comes to like workload and like you know just pre-planning lessons and stuff.”

Wingspan: What so far has been the most confusing or difficult thing on campus to adjust to?

Gandikota: “The most difficult thing, honestly, everything beens pretty smooth thanks to my team, like the staff. The other teachers have been really helping me out. But, if I didn’t have them, then I think being overwhelmed by all of the responsibilities of a teacher. Not in the classroom, the classroom just fine, but outside of the classroom. I need to get paperwork into the print shop in time so that all the lessons come printed out early because you have to give five or six days notice and creating new documents, stuff like that, just learning the system of the school. But, because of the great mentors and staff over here, it’s been pretty smooth.”

Wingspan: What is the most exciting thing that you think this school has?

Gandikota: “The most exciting thing, I think your teachers are really fun and laid back. The schools I went to were way stricter with dress code, with just discipline and everything in general. They’re more laid back and have like groups as opposed to just rows. Right now my desks are in rows for testing, but other than that I usually have them in groups of four. Basically all the classrooms do that, and they have engaging activities instead of boring notes.”

Wingspan: When did you really start to enjoy math?

Gandikota: “I hated math in the beginning just like everybody else. Because, I didn’t like doing something that was hard for me because I was used to things being easy for me. But once it got hard, my brother ,who’s five years older than me, started tutoring me in math and that’s when everything became clear and I started enjoying it. So then I was like oh my gosh, now that I get it, I can tutor other people and then they’re going to like math too.”

Wingspan: What was your favorite math in school?

Gandikota: “I liked algebra but then I got to college and I really liked calculus because you get to apply all that you learned to like real life scenarios.”

Wingspan: What inspired you to become a high school math teacher?

Gandikota: “You’re able to shape the lives of the students and sometimes their home life isn’t great and your the only person they can turn to. So, your like a guidance counselor and a teacher all in one and I think some people need that. If I can provide that to other people, to students, and I can help them make decisions to better their future then, I want to do that.”

Wingspan: What advice would you give to struggling students who need help with math?

Gandikota: “Ask a lot of questions. There are no stupid questions and that’s probably cliche, everyone says it, but it’s true. Just anything you’re confused about, if you have questions, asking is the best thing to do. Don’t feel shy just because you think your question is dumb. And try to come to tutorials whenever you can, if there’s no time for questions in class or if you need extra help.”

Wingspan: What would you say to students who say geometry will never be used in the real world?

Gandikota: “It will and geometry is all around you. Just because your unaware of it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. And so I think that’s why I try to use real life scenarios in the classroom while I’m teaching it. You might not have to sit there and construct an angle, but you might have to notice it in the real world. And, being able to notice it will help you with that common sense and making better sense of your life.”

Wingspan: What is the most rewarding part about being a teacher?

Gandikota: “When students finally get a concept that they’ve been struggling with for so long. And they’re like oh I get it. That’s probably the best feeling in the world. You made that happen.”

Wingspan: Would you change your career if you could? If so, what would you change it to?

Gandikota: “I still want to stay in the education field, but I am working towards my masters and I want to teach college. So, still in the teaching field, just maybe slightly higher.”

Wingspan: What are you most looking forward to on campus this year?

Gandikota: “Bringing in my own ideas and activities, and having the students actually enjoy math instead of feeling like they’re forced into a class.”