Krishnan R.

Ranjani Krishnan (she/her), a dedicated educator and lifelong learner, began her teaching journey 15 years ago at Gilkey International Middle School in Portland, Oregon, where she taught 6th-grade Math and Science. Since then, Ranjani has taught Advanced Mathematics across several schools, including Health and Science School, Tualatin High School, and Ida B. Wells High School. She is currently a Career and Technical Education (CTE) computer science teacher at Lincoln High School, where she has spent the past eight years. In addition to her secondary teaching roles, Ranjani also served as an adjunct mathematics instructor at Portland Community College, bringing her passion for the subject to a diverse range of students. She has also been invited as a guest speaker in ethnomusicology classes at Lewis & Clark College to teach South Indian classical music theory, history, and practice. In 2023, Ranjani was honored as Oregon’s finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in the Mathematics category. Before transitioning to teaching, Ranjani worked with Wolfram Research, a leading mathematical software company, which strengthened her foundation in mathematics and computational thinking. Her technical accomplishments include certifications in Additive Manufacturing and Game Design and Development from MIT, and she is proficient in multiple programming languages and educational technologies. With a passion for developing innovative teaching methods, she strives to make learning engaging and accessible, incorporating student presentations, agency, humor, and community-building activities, especially during end-of-year culminating projects. 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 is also National Board Certified in Adolescence and Young Adulthood Mathematics. In addition to her teaching career, Ranjani is a talented musician, releasing her debut album, Cream of Portland, in 2015. The album, which features original compositions and covers of world music, reflects her versatility as a vocalist, composer, and performer. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Tamil, with working knowledge of Spanish and German, she brings a multicultural perspective to both her professional and artistic endeavors. Looking forward, Ranjani aims to deepen her knowledge in educational technology and explore interdisciplinary teaching methods that bridge mathematics, computer science, and the arts. Passionate about creating dynamic and inclusive learning experiences, she continues to seek innovative ways to empower her students as both learners and creators.