Name: Happy Ruth Jara
Hometown: Pasig City, Philippines
Program: MAT (English)
Education: B.A. in English Literature and Education Studies at Brown University
How did your undergraduate and work experiences before this program inspire you to go into teaching and pursue an MAT degree?
As a Brown undergrad, I was able to explore my passion for education through classes in Brown’s Education Department. I came to understand how pedagogy and policy shape one another, how classrooms can serve as sites of liberation, and how students’ lived experiences enrich every learning space.
Beyond coursework, my experiences have affirmed my commitment to becoming a teacher. Working on the Humanities Reimagined Curriculum Project with Professor Laura Snyder taught me how thoughtful curriculum design can create meaningful, relevant learning opportunities. Tutoring high school students at the Providence Public Library gave me insight into supporting young writers as they build confidence in their voices.
What has been a highlight of your experience in the MAT program so far?
Honestly, the highlight has definitely been the lovely MAT cohort community. It’s such a gift to be surrounded by warm, talented, slightly quirky people who all care deeply about education. It feels rare to find a group where everyone is so thoughtful and passionate, and it really makes the long days feel lighter and more meaningful.
What’s your favorite part of the MAT program?
My favorite part has been getting to know my students and actually putting all the theory and pedagogy I’ve learned into practice. There’s something energizing about seeing those concepts come alive in real time and watching students make connections, ask questions, or surprise me with an insight I didn’t see coming.
What are you most excited to teach?
I’m most excited to teach literary analysis! I’m currently building a unit on The Book Thief, and it’s been so fun to think about how to make the themes and the narrative voice accessible and engaging. There’s so much richness in that text, and I can’t wait to see how students respond to it.
How do you like to spend your free time?
In my free time, I love cooking—I recently made palitaw and adobo and am looking forward to making tikoy from scratch—grabbing boba with friends, making music, and taking long walks.
What is one way you center yourself or work on your mental health while being a graduate student with many other responsibilities?
I try to give myself at least thirty minutes every night to unwind. Sometimes it’s reading (for fun, not for class!), sometimes it’s a low-stakes video game, and sometimes it’s crochet. It’s a small routine, but it helps me reset after long days and reminds me that I’m a person outside of school, too.