Mrs. Premawardena is a Sri Lankan math and computer science teacher at North Park. Her Sri Lankan heritage is a source of pride and is fundamental to her identity.
She enjoys going on long walks on trails and gardening during the summer. Her garden is full of fresh vegetables that she loves incorporating into her meals. She also enjoys meditation as well as relaxing and having a cup of tea. She loves listening to classical Sinhala music and watching Hindi movies. Her favourite movie is Hidden Figures, commenting that it’s an empowering and motivational film.
Mrs. Premawardena became a teacher because she loved the idea of making a positive impact on students’ lives and cites her 5th-grade teacher as part of her reason for becoming a teacher. She finds that helping students reach their full potential is an incredibly rewarding experience. Her favourite parts of being a teacher are being in the classroom with her students and witnessing the moments when students grasp new concepts and develop a passion for the subject.
She has some advice, quotes and tips to share with students.
- “Believe in yourself and your abilities. You are capable of achieving great things, but it starts with having confidence in your own potential.”
- “Be kind, empathetic and pay respect towards others. Treat your peers, teachers, and everyone you encounter with kindness and respect.”
- “Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Whether it’s from your teachers, peers, or mentors, seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
- If you catch yourself saying, “I’m not a Math person,” just add the word “yet” to the end of the sentence! – Carol S. Dweck
- “That feeling of Math being hard is the feeling of your brain growing” – Carol S. Dweck
- “One last thing, please use AI to enhance your learning NOT to cut off your thinking or destroy your creativity. Remember, NO MIRACLES!!!”
THE NORTH STAR 