New Teacher Feature: Harmandeep Kaur

ANIYAH CHERRY, SARAH ABUJAZAR, and HANEEN QATTOUS, Contributing Writers

Harmandeep Kaur has joined our school as a new physics teacher. She grew up in Punjab, India, in a family of educators; her mother was a principal, and her father was a

Photo by Sal Rahman

teacher. Being around schools from a young age inspired her to start tutoring early. 

“I started tutoring at a young age, and teaching just happened very naturally for me,” Kaur said.

Mrs. Kaur holds a Master’s degree in Physics from Guru Nanak Dev University, India and a second Master’s degree in Secondary Education from The City University of New York, which she earned in 2016. She also works as an adjunct professor of physics at Syracuse University.

Mrs. Kaur said that ever since she was young, she grew up loving physics, and it was her favorite class in high school. Now, she enjoys helping students understand how things work in the world around them.

“I like to be more hands-off and guide students in the right direction rather than giving step-by-step instructions,” Mrs. Kaur explained. “This helps them figure out problems on their own and learn the process for themselves.”

By allowing students to think critically and solve problems independently, she aims to help them gain confidence and develop problem-solving skills that will benefit them both in and outside of the classroom.

Mrs. Kaur has taught in both India and New York, giving her a broad perspective on different education systems. She believes learning is a two-way street, and that she often learns from her students as much as they learn from her.

Outside of school, Mrs. Kaur enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. She also likes fixing things around the house, especially electrical projects, even if they don’t always go perfectly. She says her curiosity about how things work at home influences her approach in the classroom, encouraging exploration and hands-on learning.

When asked what motivates her each day, Harmandeep says it is her love for learning. 

“I’ve always loved studying and learning. I never have trouble getting up in the morning to do something I truly enjoy,” she said.

With her experience as both a high school teacher and a college adjunct professor, Mrs. Kaur brings valuable knowledge and a supportive teaching approach to our school. Her focus on guiding students, fostering independence, and sharing her passion for physics is already making a positive impact on her students.