Incoming Director of Equity and Inclusion Nirvana Scott—Lower School strings teacher for six years—is already a beloved member of the Pace Academy community. Read on to get to know her better.

One of your teaching practices is to teach children with honesty. How do you do that?

Teaching certain topics can be challenging due to current divisions within our culture, but we can bridge these divides by providing accurate information and a safe environment for conversations. I do this by engaging in age-appropriate discussions and activities, especially using the arts, to provide learning opportunities. I build trust and respect with my students by using credible sources and multiple perspectives in my lessons. My teaching philosophy is anchored in a sincere love for our shared humanity.

You're a talented musician—if you could play only one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

If I could play only one song for the rest of my life, it would be All Is Full of Love by Björk. It's one of my all-time favorite songs by one of my favorite artists, and it sounds very ethereal on the violin. I play electric violin, and I have a background in rock music, so I will often use special effects like distortion, delay and even a shimmering octave feature when I perform. If I play this piece, I am able to express something different each time, which makes it feel new every time. Composer Jules Massenet’s Méditation from the opera Thaïs is a close second.

How do you motivate students to think critically?

Education is not indoctrination. My lessons often include in-class discussions that require students to ask questions about the text or content and share their perspectives. Students are encouraged to think metacognitively and explore their prior knowledge. I position myself as a co-learner in the classroom to foster honesty and vulnerability. This teaching practice creates an inclusive environment where diverse voices can flourish.

How do the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion come to life in your classroom?

I integrate ​social justice standards​ into my curriculum and learning objectives. To understand the world, we must identify systems, investigate power and recognize impact. I prepare students to be confident citizens of the world, so my students learn to build character that centers on courage, empathy and action. In my classes, my students create solutions and seek understanding to eradicate racism and prejudice. They leave my classes feeling empowered to advocate on behalf of themselves and others.

What's something your students might not know about you?

My students might not know that I have performed music in almost every state in the continental United States. For almost two years, I lived on the road and out of a suitcase playing music every night for months at a time with the band Little Tybee. This led to many incredible adventures and creative opportunities. I was able to connect with other artists, thinkers and activists who used the arts to foster equity in their local communities and around the world. The experience of being a traveling, touring musical artist provided valuable cultural perspectives that continue to shape the person I am today.

Pace’s motto is “To have the courage to strive for excellence.” How do you live out that motto in your life?

I continue to grow as an educator by attending conferences and professional development. I also study the most current research so that my teaching practice is evidence-based and effective. I always seek to be a more effective educator because there is always room for growth. My commitment to the pursuit of knowledge is something that I am proud to model for my students so that they will continue to value education the way that I do.

Play favorites: color, season, snack, children's book, movie, simple pleasure?

My favorite color is green. My favorite season is fall. My favorite snack is sushi—is sushi a snack? My favorite children’s book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. My favorite movie is Jurassic Park, but only the original from 1993. My simple pleasures include drinking Earl Grey tea and reading a good book with a cat in my lap.