What is your name and position? My name is Shruti Bharatia (SHROO-thee buh-RAH-thee-uh) and I am the executive assistant for Student Activities.
What have you learned since coming to Niles North? As a Niles North Alumna (Class of ‘16), I’ve learned that this place is getting more diverse every year, which is a great thing. Also, I’m definitely learning more about the staff here and ways that we can make the school a better place for students and for faculty to be in.
What is the most notable change since going from student to teacher? In terms of student activities, I feel like there’s more involvement; students are more involved in extracurricular and club activities, which is great to see. We hope that even more students continue to participate in extracurricular activities, which will enhance their overall high school experience.
What does a typical day of work look like for you? My day varies every single day. Typically, I come in at around 7:45. I check our mailbox and turn on the music for the school during passing periods. If I have meetings in the morning, I will attend those, or I will just come back to my desk and answer emails, answer phone calls, or talk to Ms. Shaba (Student Activities Director) about things that we need to accomplish during the day.
How has your experience building relationships at North been? It’s been great. This is actually my third year [teaching] here. The faculty, the staff, [and] the students have all been very warm and welcoming! It is also great to see some familiar faces, since I was a student here at one point!
How have your previous work experiences influenced your time here? Since high school, I have worked in the education field. I was an ESL teacher for several years and then worked at a private school in Wilmette for seven years. After serving as both a teacher and an assistant director, I developed a passion for working with students, being a role model for them, and doing everything I could to enhance their overall school experience. After my time at the private school, I was ready to explore other opportunities in education. I thought it would be a great idea to give back to my community, which led me to Niles North!
What is the most challenging part of your career? I’m currently trying to determine what I want to pursue long-term. I graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology in 2020—right in the middle of the pandemic. Initially, my goal was to become a psychologist, but I couldn’t find any job opportunities, so I became an assistant teacher at a private school for a while. Now that I’ve gotten some experience under my belt, my new goal is to get my master’s in counseling and possibly become a school counselor!
After school, how do you unwind? Typically, after school, I go home and hang out with my friends or family. Some days, I like to put on a good Netflix show and work on a puzzle!
What’s your favorite weekend activity? Right now, it’s visiting my cousin in downtown Chicago. She moved from Dallas, Texas, over the summer, so we’ve been spending time exploring downtown. She loves playing pickleball at Grant Park and trying out new restaurants around the city.
What is your favorite part about your job? My favorite part is definitely seeing my students on a daily basis! I’ve developed a close relationship with some of the students I had when I was a math paraprofessional, so having genuine conversations with them brightens my day! I always tell students to stop by Student Activities and say hello!
What do you hope to achieve in your first year as an executive assistant? I hope to make this a place where students feel welcome and can get involved in the school community! In order to get a full high school experience, students should participate in numerous activities and enjoy their time. So, my goal is to make that happen and ensure that students are happy!
