Debra LaPorte

What do you love most about this school? What I love most about TeSA is its mission, and how it resonates with virtually everyone associated with TeSA. Who wouldn’t want children to gain a life-long passion for learning and achieve academic excellence through an arts-based education? (I’m paraphrasing, but still)

What are your hobbies?  I love hiking, just to get out in nature and walk through some trees and see some scenery. I especially love seeing a waterfall, they look and sound and smell so special to me.

Which favorite cartoon character still makes you smile today? Ms. Frizzle, of course! She loves to explore and figure out how things work. I think every science teacher wishes they had a Majic School Bus!

What would you choose if you could only eat one type of cuisine for the rest of your life? Indian food, it’s delicious! For many years, I lived in Houston where there are so many good Indian restaurants.

What’s the most exciting part of your current job role? I love gaining students trust that learning math can help them one day attain control over their own resources and their own lives. The most exciting part is when we can use students’ love of movement, storytelling, music and visual art to make those math concepts accessible and memorable.