What made you want to become an English teacher?
I was always drawn towards literature and philosophy and art. I liked thinking about big ideas and why things happen. I majored in English at Barnard College.
What’s your favorite book?
My favorite book is The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. I like the book because I think I can relate to the story. It’s about a boy who is from India and his struggles fitting in. My dad is Indian, and he’s from Goa, which was colonized by the Portuguese so that’s why my last name is D’Cruz. But I never really lived with my dad. I was born in Germany and then moved around tons. I’ve lived in California, Michigan, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut. I had to learn to adjust to a lot of new things, so I think more than having to deal with two different cultures I maybe dealt with not really being part of any culture.
How was your time at boarding school?
I was a regular public school kid, and then my middle school counselor said I should apply for a minority scholarship to this fancy boarding school called St. George’s. It was so closed about differences and there were a lot of kids with a lot of money and privilege, and everyone had to fit into one mold. It really makes me appreciate teaching at a public school.
Any memories from boarding school that stands out?
I did get into some trouble, which I would not necessarily want published in the Grant Magazine.
Could you tell us one story?
It was a school that had a lot of old-fashioned traditions, and one of them was this thing called “Casino Night” where the entire school could smoke and gamble—this was in the 1980’s. Freshman girls had to get dressed up like bunnies with ears and leotards like playboy bunnies. It’s really horrific to think about, and if you were a ninth grade girl you had to do it. We walked around and sold cigarettes to other people at the school.
Wow that’s interesting. What do you do now in your free time?
I’m really passionate about rock climbing; I’ve been climbing for about 20 years.
Any good rock climbing memories?
I took a year off from teaching to travel around the United States and Mexico to climb. It was a lot of freedom, but I had a really horrific injury two years ago. I was bouldering at a gym and a hold spun and I fell really crazy and pretty much exploded my right ankle.
What was it like when you couldn’t climb anymore?
It wasn’t out of the question that I might lose my leg. I was in the hospital for about three weeks, and I was really afraid that I wouldn’t be able to walk again without being in pain.
What was your reaction?
It was life changing. To be honest, I spent a lot of time crying. I had five surgeries to put it back together, and was out of teaching for the entire semester.
Does going through an injury like that make you more cautious when climbing?
It was really hard to get back into it, and I’m still not quit the same. But it also makes you really appreciate things. Like walking.
How would you describe yourself as a teacher?
I like to think I’m someone who’s really patient and accepting of everybody.
Any advice?
Appreciate what Grant has to offer in all its good and bads. People often put down the public school experience because we don’t have a lot of stuff and the schools falling down. Learning with all different kinds of people together, that is really the best experience that you can have.
Check out the rest of our Time With interviews for more brief snapshots of Grant community members.
