Q&A with Ms. Mavani and Ms.Thoma

Cliffside Park High School has two new additions to the staff! It was a pleasure to welcome Ms. Mavani and Ms. Thoma to the school! I hope they have a great first year!

Ms. Mavani

What subject do you teach?

I teach Algebra I and Geometry!

Have you always wanted to teach math?

I actually did not know that I would end up teaching math! Regardless, I love it and am happy with my decision.

What college did you go to?

I went to Rutgers University in Newark as an undergrad. Later on, I went to Montclair State University for graduate school.

What did you major in?

At Rutgers, I majored in Finance and Mathematics. At Montclair State, I received a Master of Arts in Teaching with a certification in Mathematics.

What are some of your hobbies?

I love biking, meditating, watching scary movies, and spending time with my family and friends.

When did you start teaching?

I have tutored Math for as long as I can remember! In high school, my friends would always come to me with math questions. I would help them during my lunch periods and after school. After graduating from Rutgers, I began working as a part-time tutor in the evening. At the same time, I was working full-time at a forensic economics firm during the day. This is what made me realize I love teaching more than working for a company. So, I decided to pursue a masters!

What interests you the most about teaching?

What interests me most about teaching is trying my best to make math accessible to all kinds of learners! I want more discussions in my classrooms so students are not afraid to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn from them! This is how we all learn and this is how I want to help young minds grow. If students are afraid, then they will not want to take on challenges inside and outside of class. I hope that I can help children gain more confidence, so they apply it to any other challenges they may be facing.

Did you ever want another career growing up?

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to have a positive impact on others. I did not know exactly how I would do that career-wise. However, I never stopped listening to my instincts.

Ms. Thoma

What subject do you teach or instruct?

The subject I teach is high school Health and Physical Education.

Have you always wanted to teach health and physical education?

Yes, I have always wanted to teach it! When I was in high school, I contemplated being a PE teacher. I love sports. Seeing others engage in activities and make new friends through sports seemed truly fulfilling as a career.

What college did you go to?

I went to college at Montclair State University (Go Red Hawks!)

What did you major in?

In college I majored in Nutrition and Food Sciences. Having this major in college really helps me now, especially with lesson planning for health classes.

What are some of your hobbies?

Some of my hobbies include baking and trying new recipes, working out, spending time with my friends/family, and finding new places to eat (who doesn’t love good food!). I really enjoy playing volleyball with my friends, even though I can be a bit competitive. I also love to binge watch soccer on the weekends. Fun fact: I’ve been supporting Arsenal Football Club since I was 4 years old.

When did you start teaching?

I officially started teaching in March 2022.

What interests you the most about teaching?

What interests me the most is the connections I make with my students. Seeing them thrive and grow is extremely rewarding, whether it be in the classroom or gym. I truly appreciate getting to know my students because they not only learn from me, but I continue to learn from them as well.

Did you ever want another career growing up?

Growing up I wanted to be an actress and comedian. I love to make people laugh, but making it big as an actress is very difficult. In high school, I either wanted to be a sports commentator or PE teacher. However, I chose to major in Nutrition throughout college. In the end, I found my way back to teaching. It was my best decision yet!

Thank you to both Ms. Mavani and Ms. Thoma for their time!