Novels, Maths and Art –
These might be three ordinary/random words for the world. But… they are my entire world. Hey guys, I am Ella Palmer, a bibliophile from Texas. You may know Texans as football fanatics or steak lovers. But here I am, a golden fish in the pond – someone who loves books more than anything else (please don’t hate me, fellow-Texans).
It all started when I was little. My parents bombarded me with a thriller novel every other month. They kept buying, I kept reading. Before I knew it, reading had become my Oxygen for survival. But, this was only until I was reintroduced to Mathematics in middle school.
What I mean is – I did learn my additions and subtractions way before, but my Middle school math teacher made me fall in love with the subject with her unique teaching style. She was a brilliant lady. Thanks to her, I am a Mathematics teacher who tries to make the subject fun and engaging for my middle school students.
My heart lies with the ones who often get overlooked: the kids labeled “difficult,” “slow,” or “not the study kind.” I’ve learned that the issue isn’t usually them. It’s the system, with its rigid standards and narrow definitions of success. So I spend my time reimagining how learning can feel more intuitive, more inclusive, more human. I’ve learned that teaching isn’t just about textbooks or tests, it’s about finding ways to connect. And sometimes, connection comes through creativity. That’s where art entered my life. Whenever I feel stuck, I reach for a paintbrush. That love began when a childhood friend dragged me to a zine fest last spring. I saw raw, unfiltered creativity; punk zines, comics, graphic narratives, and community conversations spilling across tables. I walked in curious and left transformed. Since then, I’ve been devouring books, sketching in journals, and exploring how art can be a form of education too. So, I guess I can call myself an Artist now?