Harini Ramanathan

Where do you attend school and what activities are you involved in?

I am a student at the University of Virginia studying economics and mathematics. I graduated from Westfield High School, where I served as an officer of the National Math Honor Society and Vice President of the National Spanish Honor Society. I was also heavily involved in competitive debate at the JV & Varsity levels and served as the Varsity Debate team captain.

What have your teaching opportunities been outside of Fairfax Collegiate?

I have always cherished working with kids and children. In my community, I peer-tutor elementary school students in Math and English to help bridge the gap in learning that they have incurred! Additionally, I have extensive tutoring experience through my past involvement in the Math and Spanish Honor Societies whose sole priority was tutoring and mentorship. I have also served as a Debate Team Captain and Mentor of my high school competitive debate team. This past year, as part of my school's Spanish Honor Society, I helped organize an field trip, connecting 60+ elementary school students from London Towne ES with 70+ honor society students, connecting everyone as they use the Spanish language while participating in engaging activities!

What subjects have you taught with Fairfax Collegiate in the past?

This is my second year teaching with Fairfax Collegiate. I have taught subjects including Middle School Debate, Public Speaking, Mathematics and Writing.

What sort of experience have you had in the subject you’ll be teaching this summer?

I will be teaching debate, public speaking, and math! Throughout high school, I was a Varsity debater and Team Captain in the Public Forum debate. In the past, I have taught Middle School Parliamentary Debate, modeled after the structure of the British parliamentary debates! I have experiencing teaching advanced debate techniques such as POIs, polite/constructive heckling, counterclaim/argumentation, frameworks, and more. I have competed and placed in the Varsity division both in the WACFL and regional/super-regional VHSL levels. I bring an enthusiasm to share my ideas and research whenever I debate, and that is the same passion and level of interest I want to instill in my students. I am also teaching Public Speaking, a skill that is integral to debate and all presentational realms. I am teaching different levels of math, and have taken up to AP Calculus BC and will continue to take higher level math in upcoming college courses.

What excites you about teaching and working with students?

I am excited to help students learn and discover their interests and passions! My goal is to help them cultivate a love for learning. I have always enjoyed working with kids and am always thrilled to match their energy while prioritizing their needs and learning. Seeing students grow and find excitement in what they are passionate about is simply rewarding!

Outside of work, what are some hobbies you enjoy?

I love to sing, dance, and hike! I also love choreographing dance sequences. Apart from that, I enjoy doing Zumba and shopping with my friends.