It is vital that teachers create classrooms where students build their capacity to care for their community and to feel cared for. These spaces, hopefully, will encourage students to lead with love and joy in our society.”
Tamashi’s Story
Teaching Discipline
Chemistry
Why Chemistry
“I feel that chemistry is crucial to understanding aspects of how the world works. Teaching chemistry presents a unique challenge of making the invisible visible to our students and requires that teachers think creatively to facilitate that learning.”
Professional Experience
During high school, Tamashi entered the world of teaching through working as a mathematics tutor. Inspired by her freshman chemistry teacher, George Householder, she pursued education in college. She co-wrote various curriculums, one of which was a formal secondary biology curriculum to be used in middle school classrooms, and the other being a more informal curriculum that discussed exploratory experiences for families in rich ecoregions of Connecticut. Tamashi had the opportunity to intern as a researcher at a local high school, where she studied the relationship and incorporation of social justice within science classrooms.
Tamashi will begin her third year of teaching chemistry at Hall High School in West Hartford, Connecticut, during the 2024–2025 school year.
Hobbies
In her free time, Tamashi enjoys engaging in various art projects, playing team sports, and spending time with family and friends. She is passionate about social justice and seeks to uplift the voices of teachers and students of color.
Academic Background
- University of Connecticut (Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education)
- University of Connecticut (Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction)