Devina Bhalla joined Gilman after graduating from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and sociology. As a Penn Fellow, she is also pursuing a Master of Science in education (M.S. Ed) from University of Pennsylvania. While at Tufts, she worked at the Worcester Business Journal and Tufts University Daily Newspaper and also published a book entitled "Shelves of Art and the People Between." At Gilman, she teaches 10th and 11th grade English, coaches water polo and swimming, advises the Gilman News and the Sikh Students Association, and helps with the Writing Center.

Q&A

What was your best teaching moment?
One of my favorite teaching moments came while my 11th grade class was discussing "The Great Gatsby." I asked a question, and in the next five minutes, so many students shared, building off each others' points and analyzing the text skillfully. I was overwhelmed by how incredible this moment was; I just had to sit on the floor. It was such an awesome moment of students connecting with one another in service of making unique insights about a text, and I loved everything about it. Classes like that are why teaching and learning with my students is always the best part of my day.

What is your favorite spot on Gilman's campus?
I love being alone in a room with lots of windows (like C202, CT12, CT14, my office, etc) as the sun rises before students necessarily come in. Having a quiet moment in the sun in this beautiful place feels special every time.

What inspired you to become a teacher?
I come from a long line of teachers, but I did not think I would necessarily become a teacher myself. However, my middle school English teacher warned me when I went to high school that I would become a teacher and should return to teach with him. I scoffed, but he was right. I love words because of the incredible, kind, and passionate teachers I've had, and I'm inspired by the opportunity to share all they gave me with other minds as a teacher myself now.