Neha Kulkarni

A famous quote reads: “We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” This quote can be seen in lessons of Ms. Jarvis, a math teacher at JP Stevens. Ms. Jarvis believes that everyone should learn not only math but also how to become a lifelong learner. They should listen to different perspectives, contribute to discussions, and develop social skills in order to become the most well-rounded and fulfilled versions of themselves.

As an extroverted student in high school, Ms. Jarvis always had a close-knit relationship with her teachers. She believes teachers are vital sources of inspiration, as she has learned many skills and lessons from befriending teachers. One impactful lesson Ms. Jarvis had learned over her 25 years of teaching was to be flexible. Over the years, people and the school landscape have changed; she believes adaptation is essential to success. This lesson can resonate with many, as life before COVID differed significantly from life after COVID. Due to the changing atmosphere and modern times, many students have had to adapt to their environment and manage their time better now that they are at the high school level.

Another lesson that greatly impacted Ms. Jarvis was learning not to take situations personally. Everyone has rough days, and one cannot know what others are going through. Ms. Jarvis believes that empathy is a key factor in success. Throughout the years, she has learned that being more easygoing and understanding helps her students to feel as comfortable as possible in class. This empathy that she brings into the classroom helps students retain more information and heightens their learning experience. 

From interacting with her teachers in high school to going on to teach at JP, Ms. Jarvis has learned a lot about herself and the way she wants to impact the world around her. Adapting to situations in the constantly changing modern world, forgiving people for their actions, and empathizing with others’ situations can help everyone in today’s society become the best version of themselves, just like these experiences have helped Ms. Jarvis become the best version of herself.