This award shines a light on the profession of teaching itself. The application process has energized my commitment to be reflective and to make each student's learning experience safe, welcoming, engaging, and challenging so all—particularly those facing systemic barriers—may thrive in STEM-related endeavors. Teaching demands adaptability, collaboration, and lifelong learning—thank you to my family, colleagues, students, and parents for inspiring and supporting me through all of it.

Krishnan Ranjani Portland, OR | 7-12, Mathematics, 2023

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Krishnan Ranjani (she/her), who goes by "Ranjani", began her teaching journey 15 years ago at Gilkey International Middle School in Portland, where she taught 6th grade Math and Science. She has also taught Advanced Mathematics at Health and Science School, Tualatin High School, Ida B. Wells High School, and is currently a Career and Technical Education computer science teacher at Lincoln High School, where she has spent the past eight years. Prior to teaching, Ranjani worked at Wolfram Research, a mathematical software company. At the end of each school year, Ranjani and her students engage in culminating activities that emphasize student presentations, agency, whimsy, humor, and community. Ranjani has also served as an adjunct mathematics instructor at Portland Community College. She holds certifications in Additive Manufacturing and Game Design and Development from MIT. Proficient in various programming languages and educational software, she is a lifelong learner with a strong interest in understanding how to learn and teach content effectively, always seeking to enhance her teaching methods. Outside of education, Ranjani is a vocalist, composer, and performer. She released an album in 2015 called 'Cream of Portland' featuring original compositions and covers of world music songs. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Tamil, she also has a working knowledge of Spanish and German. Ranjani holds a B.A. in mathematics from Reed College, a B.A. Honors, summa cum laude, in music from Lewis & Clark College, an M.S. in mathematics from the University of Illinois, and an M.A.T. from Lewis & Clark College. She also holds National Board Certification in Adolescence and Young Adulthood in Mathematics.

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