Embedded Files
Written by: Luca Chourbagi and Serena Chaudhary
Photo by: Ms. Turnbull
Mr. Sen with his favorite book
Math is an integral part of our education, so who better to interview than Blakelock’s very own Mr. Senaratne, known lovingly as Mr. Sen. As a long standing member of the Mathematics department, he is a familiar face.
We were fortunate enough that Mr. Senaratne agreed to a less-than-formal interview with some of our TABloid members, highlighting his education, his outlook on life, and even his favourite novel.
We started off by asking him about his post-secondary education and professional development. He stated, “The highest degree that I earned was [a] Masters in Mathematics and before that, a Bachelor of Education and then an Honours in Mathematics in university.” He even told us his work background, sharing that he worked as a civil engineer in Botswana.
Furthermore, when asked about his favourite book, he mentioned a title that he implores students and staff alike to read: The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan. It is an authentic historical depiction about the conflict between Palestine and Israel.
We additionally gained insight into his outlook on life. When asked about his favourite places he has visited in the world, he mentioned both Cuba and Kazakhstan. These rank at the top of his long list as he feels that those places opt for a more simplistic lifestyle, one that he admires. He even mentioned his personal philosophy of “take it easy, go simple.”
He also prefers to look at things methodically. His ultimate decision of working in the mathematics field was evident since his childhood: “I kind of believed everything was put together in terms of mathematics.”
As the interview progressed, the emphasis that he placed on life’s integral connection to the field of mathematics became clearer. He aims to further both his students’ educations as well as enrich their extra-curricular lives.
“I try to use my experiences in the real world. In the real world, I saw real struggles, and I try to kind of [use them to] adapt to teaching situations,” said Mr. Senaratne. We hope that everybody at Blakelock has the opportunity to learn and grow under the guidance of Mr. Sen.
Page updated
Report abuse