Thoughts on teaching
Lessons I didn't plan on teaching, but I re-learnt them along the way.
A year ago, as of writing this article in April of 2026, I walked into the 4024 classroom on our Chicago campus. I wasn't sure what kind of teacher I'd be, but I knew I wanted to be the best one.
Repetition, but never the same.
Teaching the same courses, but differently every single time!
What came next was a whole year of teaching CSS 225 Introduction to Applied Programming (mostly) and CSS 401 Systems for Cloud Computing classes over and over again. It's quite funny in hindsight. I taught the same course the whole year, yet somehow, never the same twice!! I think every section gave me a new learning experience.
Note
I was involved in other courses too. But these two courses in specific stood out the most.
The content (more of less) stayed the same. I mean, how often do you expect a programming language curriculum to change? But the classes were yet different. Every quarter, the pacing was different, the questions were different, the amount of time spent on some topics was different, the assignments were different, and the examples used and shared were different. Some days, the lectures were conducted exactly as planned, and sometimes they were simply "strange"?!
And somewhere in that strange unpredictability, I found the part I enjoyed the most my students!!
Looking back
Students who made it memorable.
They brought their humour, their hobbies, their side comments, and some of their perfectly timed jokes that derailed the whole class in the best way possible.
Some students brought in their questions Ooh, those questions?!
Questions ranged from unrealistic assignment extensions or the topics covered to sometimes unexpectedly personal. Like I said, every quarter was different, yet every single time, someone would ask what I would do in their place, as if I had everything figured out. I never knew how to respond to some of those "what-if" scenarios, and I still don't!!
The questions weren't super hypothetical or anything. They were simple and grounded, which I sometimes felt like I should've also asked myself when I was their age and/or in their situations. This is when I realised that I'm learning a lot about myself too.
Learning beyond the syllabus.
I started entering the classrooms with an intention of teaching something, be it today's topic or sharing my past anecdotes and experiences, and I was leaving with answers to some of my personal questions and side-quests.
It really felt like I was teaching and preparing myself through the means of my students, and that's what made them all very special!! I started seeing a younger, more cocky version of me, and my friends in them. Over time, I started picking up new things and new perspectives. Things like new games I've never heard of, music I wouldn't have found on my own, hobbies like baking that reminded me of how much there is to learn outside my comfort zone.
The learning and teaching happened in both directions. Every time I learned something new, I felt like I was able to teach and explain things more effectively from both my successes and failures.
Growth, gratitude, and moments
A year shaped by people.
Again, looking back, I'm seeing my lectures and classrooms in a much different way than I expected last year at this very moment. I'm seeing my whole year being shaped by so many people like my students, other faculty, staff members, and some friends I made along the way. It's shaped by those small moments, shared laughter, curiosities, growth, stories, gossips, and loads of new memories!!
I'm super-duper grateful to all my students for making me a much better teacher than I started last year. I'm especially grateful to Charlotte, who first saw something in me I hadn't fully seen in myself, and planted the very idea that I could even teach at all.
This year-rounding reflection wouldn't be complete without mentioning my actual mentors, Dr Tovar and Dr Robyn. Both, Dr Tovar and Dr Robyn presented me with loads of wonderful opportunities and the rest of the CSIS department who supported me through all. I've so many moments and lessons to share, but for now I'll end my yearly rewind here.
So to conclude.
To all my students, learn from my and your mistakes and to my future self, be kind and grateful to all the people who made you who you are.
Always remember these words: Work hard, study well, and eat and sleep plenty! That is the Turtle Hermit way!
—Master Roshi, Dragon Ball Super, 2017