more about ratna
Fast facts
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Born and raised in Sydney, Australia
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Child of Indian immigrants
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Bay Area-based
Fun facts
3 adjectives most commonly used to describe Ratna:
Curious, creative, and adventurous
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Meal genre Ratna would eat for the rest of her life:
Noodle soups (pho, ramen, etc.)
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Favorite childhood book:
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
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Favorite recent read:
Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton
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Favorite genres to read:
Thrillers/mysteries, coming-of-age, enemies-to-lovers, magical realism/fantasy.
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Favorite comfort TV show:
New Girl
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If Ratna weren't coaching teens, she'd be...:
A children's book writer; a virtual reality designer; or a sports psychologist.​
Interests and hobbies
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Swimming
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Singing
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Watching NFL games
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Hiking with my rescue pup
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Painting cute animals (acrylic)
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Adapting East Asian recipes to be gluten free
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Finding new music (R&B, country, dance/electronic, rap, and indie pop are my favorites)
Education
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BA in psychology and anthropology at Pomona College
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Studied abroad at the University of Edinburgh
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MA in English Teaching from ACU in Australia
Teaching experience​
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Over 10 years in schools
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English teacher @ Castilleja, Urban, and Bay, and numerous Australian middle and high schools
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Middle school learning specialist @ KIPP SF Bay​
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Experience with writing and editing
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Former English teacher
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Started an elementary school creative writing program in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, Australia.
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Edited countless college application essays
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Worked in editorial departments of Penguin, Random House, Macmillan, and Bloomsbury
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Advisor to student literary journals and newspapers
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Volunteer at Story Pirates, 100 Story Building, and other creative writing programs for kids