Diana Pho

Bio

A native of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Diana Pho is a third-year undergraduate at Mount Holyoke College, majoring in both English literature and Russian literature and culture. She has had extensive experience working with the college's Residential Life Office as an RA for the past two years, in addition to being Assistant Head Resident for the Summermath high school program at MHC. Upon graduation, she wishes to pursue her Ph.D in either English or Comparative Literature. In her spare time, Diana writes short stories and plays and has been the recipient of numerous honors for her work.

Educational philosophy

What is the purpose of education?

Education is essential for a person to grow and develop the skills needed to fully interact with the world. To open the doors to the multicultural society that we live in today, a person must have the understanding necessary to appreciate different cultures and philosophies that education can introduce. Also, education should give a person not only the tools for intellectual stimulation, but emotional and spiritual satisfaction as well.

What is the role of the student in education?

The role of the student is to hone an instinctive curiosity to facilitate learning. To develop higher thinking skills. To unleash personal creativity. To motivate a person to think both deeply within and holistically outwards in relation to his or her community.

What is the role of the teacher in education?

The role of the teacher is to be the supporter of a student's curiosity, as well as the guide that can introduce new spheres of experience to the student. A teacher should be enthusiastic, engaging, understanding, and open to different modes of thinking. A teacher should also understand and facilitate many different types of learning for different types of intelligence. Essentially, a teacher should serve as an example to motivate students to take on roles bigger than themselves in order to grow into them.

What is the role of the teacher in the community?

A teacher is a key component in the students' lives and so in turn, the teacher becomes an important component towards creating and open, diverse, and supportive community in which the students live. Teachers should act as a bridge between the student and the greater world. This bridge, however, goes both ways; thus, teachers also engage outside community members in students' education.

What is the purpose of the school?

To help contribute toward this idea of education as being an interactive part of a student's development, not only intellectually but also as an essential part of becoming a well-rounded and responsible individual in the world.

Why are you involved in JZEF?

Because I'm interested in seeing how this project will develop and want to take part in its future whether as a teacher, administrative staff member, or some other role. Because in most high schools, education is seen as a set of facts to learn and buttons to push, a mindset with which I don't agree. I want education to enhance a person's outlook on life and that seems to me what JZEF believes too.