The Puzzle: Blog

Name/hometown/alma mater?

Ronica Bhattacharya, Troy, Michigan; B.A. University of Chicago, M.F.A. University of Michigan.

Where do you teach?

University Liggett School in Detroit, Michigan.

What do you do there (i.e., what subject do you teach, what sport do you coach, do you live in a dorm or supervise a club, etc.)?

I teach Core I: English and an elective in the short story. I am also the yearbook adviser.

What is your favorite place on your school’s campus?

The Arts Wing has a gallery in the lobby that has worked beautifully for my classes; we’ve been lucky to have a few shots at working there, fortified by art, natural light and, sometimes, music from band and orchestra classes. The juniors and seniors in my short story elective just authored a collection of stories inspired by the current installation in the gallery (several paintings by Clinton Snider). In this space on a Friday evening, they also read from the collection to an audience including the artist himself.

What is the best part of your job?

I love that we go pre-K through 12. In a short walk around the school, you can observe so much about the so-called formative years. How we change – and don’t change – between the ages of three and 18, especially, ever fascinates me.

What is the hardest part of your job?

The pace can be intense at times. All things being relative, however, I’ve had it pretty good. Can I truly feel burdened by the ubiquity of free donuts? I don’t think so.

What is one unique thing about your school?

I am particularly drawn to Liggett by how it is promoting a more meaningful relationship with Detroit.

What is one thing you’ve learned about yourself since you started at your school?

I am a serious junkie for making things with students; I feel lucky to learn that the yearbook is going to be one of those things this year. (I’ve never played this adviser role before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect beyond the lovely chaos that is the first quarter of any year.)

Who was your placement associate/counselor at CS&A?

Beth McArdle, most recently. Every counselor I’ve worked with has been an excellent source of feedback and support.

Who are your mentors?

We have something to learn from everyone we meet; in schools, it’s students, staff and faculty alike. Most recently, I learned a great deal about pedagogy thanks to Darren Wood at The Masters School. And my mother, Kishni Bhattacharya, is a practicing Montessori teacher; our dialogues profoundly influence my teaching as well.

What advice would you give to aspiring teachers at independent schools?

Try it! My experience has been informed largely by the fact that I never got certified to teach in public schools. After graduate school, unsure about what sort of job would best support my goals as a writer, I set out to learn about teaching “on the job,” which the independent school community could support. Sixteen years later, I’ve taught at four independent schools—Liggett is my fifth—and each of them has equally shaped my (rarely original) ideas about best practices in the classroom.

While the day-to-day practice of teaching can occasionally feel haphazardly executed at best, there are a lot of excellent moments along the way. I have particularly valued the freedom and support available in this community with regards to curriculum development; you may, too. And I tend to agree that we don’t really know anything until we can teach it, so if you’re passionate about a certain discipline and want to continue practicing in it, an independent school can not only for your students’ growth but yours, too.

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