photo Gerardo Servin

Ms. Nagassar is Pace’s new special education teacher. She studied for six years and was granted a dual certification to teach students in both biology and special education.

Ms. Nagassar is Pace’s new special education teacher. She studied for six years and was granted a dual certification to teach students in both biology and special education. She shares her previous experiences prior to her career at Pace.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

What type of training or process did you go through to get hired?

It’s not just about getting hired, but to be a teacher, you need to have a minimum of four years at any college and also a master’s degree is highly emphasized, right? So that makes it six years. For some people, it might even take up to eight years, right? Because we recently had Covid, then you also have to take exams and then you have to do training at a school site.

Why did you choose to become a teacher?

I was always interested in the American perspective of education, and I completely agree with it. I love the American perspective of education and the way that this system [works].
It is extremely diverse in their education. Not just at public school level, but even at the college level, right? And higher education is extremely diverse, flexible, [and] accessible to everyone. [It is] affordable as well.

Okay, What about Pace? What do you think of Pace and it’s students

So far, it has been wonderful. I love the vibes of the school culture and the school community. It is truly wonderful. I enjoy communicating with the students here and interacting with them. It has been very pleasant and very friendly. That’s good.

What’s a fun fact that students should know about you?

I love Bollywood movies.

Anyone in particular ? Like a specific one?

Oh, no. I like all of the movies. There is no specific [one]. I love exploring here as well.