When the bell rings, signaling the start of a school period, students can expect a piping hot cup of tea, a bubbly greeting and a compelling English lesson waiting in Room 114. English 9 Honors and AP Language and Composition teacher Emily Chakurda emphasizes that her classroom is a place where students flourish through interesting lectures, insights and classroom interactions. One of Chakurda’s primary goals as an educator is to teach her students valuable life lessons.
“[English] is so interdisciplinary, you can connect it to every other subject,” Chakurda said. “And there’s so many real world connections. You can take what you learn from a book and apply it to yourself and to the world around you.”
Chakurda has worked in the district at other schools over the past five years, including Canyon Crest Academy, San Dieguito Academy (SDA) and Oak Crest Middle School.
She started teaching at TPHS this year after transferring from SDA and has quickly come to love the community.
“I love Torrey Pines so far, everyone on this campus is so friendly, everyone is so polite, and there’s a strong sense of school spirit and culture here,” Chakurda said. “It seems like students really enjoy going here, which is something that’s made coming to work really enjoyable.”
Chakurda has taught both English and other elective subjects to 8th through 12th graders.. Charkurda initially worked in the advertising and technology industry, but she eventually fell in love with teaching.
“When I was younger I always wanted to teach English, so I finally decided to make the switch,” Chakurda said. “It feels like a much more fulfilling and purposeful job than what I was doing before.”
Outside of English, Charkurda enjoys watching films, taking videos and listening to music. When possible, she incorporates movies into her English classes to help her students grasp literary concepts and visualize complex stories.
“There was a time where I grappled between, do I want to teach English, or would I want to go into film, because there’s actually a lot of crossover between the two,” Chakurda said.
Chakurda emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself during high school and prioritizing mental health.
“Done is better than perfect,” Chakurda said. “I know that in high school sometimes there can be this pressure to be perfect, or pressure to get a certain grade. And just general pressure in whatever you’re passionate about. Just take time for yourself. Get things done, get things handled. But progress over perfection and done is better than perfect.”
When Chakurda is not teaching, she listens to music, especially her favorite band Oasis. She also plays piano and guitar and enjoys finding new local concert venues and shows. Her adventurous spirit shows through her love of hiking and snowboarding.
While Chakurda believes learning content is an important part of school, she highlights the value of forming connections with others.
“It’s my first year on this campus, and I really want to feel connected to this campus and get to know as many people and students as I can,” Chakurda said. “Ultimately, I want my classroom to be a place where people feel comfortable, safe and excited to come to.”
