Marita Banda brings desire to build community, outside the box thinking to English, special ed

Marita Banda, a recently hired English and special education teacher, loves working with kids and is motivated to bring together the community in and around Amherst High School. 

“High school is the last stop for kids [before college or work],” she said. “I want to help students figure out what they want to explore and give students the tools and curiosity they need to keep going. I want to help them keep that energy they have, and make sure they are striving for something.”

Banda lived in Amherst until seventh grade when her dad, who coached soccer at UMass, got a new coaching job in Madison, Wisconsin. Moving was a big adjustment, since Madison is a large city and completely different from Amherst. 

Banda attended middle and high school in Madison. Her high school helped expose her to lots of different things. 

She said she had a diverse group of friends, and the high school had a strong art department. Banda also had the opportunity to visit France for three weeks through the school, and while in Europe, she even visited a  Holocaust concentration camp which she said was very “eye-opening” experience.  

Though Banda’s dad coached college soccer, Banda lived in a very balanced household in terms of interests. Banda’s sister is now a chef and her brother is a musician. 

Banda credits her mother for sharing her love of music and arts, as well as her Baha’i faith, with her family. The Baha’i faith originated in Iran and the Middle East. It is one of the major world religions. “Its main principles are the oneness of humankind, equality, and unity,” said Banda.

Banda has always worked with young people in some sort of capacity throughout her life. After graduating from college, Banda moved to Boston and worked in the live music industry, but soon found a job working at a charter school in Dorchester. 

Eventually, Banda moved back to Amherst and began subbing in the intensive needs program at Wildwood Elementary School. When a full-time paraeducator position in the program opened, she applied, realizing she wanted to continue teaching.

I want to help students figure out what they want to explore and give students the tools and curiosity they need to keep going.

MARITA BANDA

“I love hearing what students have to say, hearing what young people think, and seeing things through different perspectives,” she said. 

While working as a paraeducator and completing her student teaching with an English and Special Education teacher at ARHS last spring, Banda received her master’s degree at Mount Holyoke College. She was hired as an English and Special Education teacher at ARHS this fall. She is also the advisor to the Best Buddies Club at ARHS.

Banda currently teaches an African American Literature class, a Topics in ELA class, and an Academic Skills class. The classes are all very different, and balancing the variety of personalities can be difficult. 

Banda is able to rely on the other teachers in the English department and her communication skills to overcome challenges while teaching high schoolers. “I’m always open to thinking outside the box,” she said. 

Banda values community and the ability to communicate. She is part of a hiking group called BIPOC Adventurers and is part of a dancing group that runs through the Center Dance Studio in downtown Amherst. 

She has also done volunteer work in Brazil where she helped support families in Bahia. Now she has yet another community, ARHS.

Banda wants to help bring people together through community involvement and good communication. “Communication is better when it is open and respectful,” she said.