Pacing back and forth as he talks, history teacher Raj Bhat delivers a lecture to his class full of students. Above the whiteboard are five images or pieces of art that relate to various units he will cover during the school year. As a self-proclaimed “visual person,” Bhat leans into that side of him as he teaches. Bhat took the route less traveled to reach his current profession. He attended Parsons School of Design for college, worked as a graphic designer and owned his own coffee shop. He eventually started teaching while studying art history at the University of Washington graduate school.
“Teaching is a little bit of a family business,” Bhat said. “My last name actually means learning person or teacher.”
He is drawn to teach because of the profound impact he can have on his high school-age students.
“I think it is that idea of introducing new ideas and new ways of seeing the world to people who haven’t experienced a lot yet,” Bhat said. “And seeing their mind open, seeing their eyes get wide, realizing that there’s this whole world to uncover that they don’t know about.”
While striving to educate his students, Bhat recalls being a difficult pupil. This gives him a unique perspective when conducting class.
“I was not a very good student. I had a lot of trouble at a certain point when I was coming up through school during the equivalent of late middle school all the way through most of high school,” Bhat said. “It is always a reminder for me of the fact that a person’s grades and how they do in school do not define who they are or their value as a person.”
As he teaches both eighth grade and ninth grade history, Bhat’s role is to prepare people for the next step.
“I also think for students, seeing me in that ninth grade classroom and having me not be this scary unknown among all the other scary unknowns when you are starting high school,” Bhat said. “I really enjoy being that bridge between both worlds.”
Bhat relishes his opportunity to teach his students.
“I think having that kind of influence on people in a pivotal moment in their lives is exciting and an honor really,” Bhat said.
After nine years working at UPrep, Bhat continues to enjoy the environment for many reasons.
“I really love being part of this community,” Bhat said. “It’s the right size, it’s the right vibe, and it’s close to home.”