Meet Shailla Bari

For the last 21 years, first grade teacher Shailla Bari has loved coming to work every day to teach her students. “I feel so lucky to work at Agnes Irwin,” she said. “I went to an all-girls boarding school and it changed my life. I was shy, not very confident, and not a risk-taker. But my all-girls education changed all that. As I continued in my teaching career, I intentionally wanted to work at an all-girls school because I wanted to give this experience to other girls.”

Where did you grow up?

London, England

Did you always want to be a teacher?

No, I wanted to be a diplomat.

What was your college major?

Political Science.

What was your first job ever?

Tutoring.

What did you do before you came to AIS? 

I was a third grade teacher in Philadelphia.

When you were first interviewing at AIS, what drew you to the school? 

The Agnes Irwin community—how happy everyone was to be here!

How do you describe your work? 

As a first grade teacher, my role is to instill a love of learning in children and to help students believe in themselves.

Favorite spot on campus?

The Lower School library.

A favorite AIS tradition? 

Mayfair!

Best thing about being a first grade teacher? 

Learning what is special about each child and watching their progression during the
year. It is magical. Their reading and writing skills take off. They lose their teeth. They
are learning to tie their shoes. They are finding who they are. I see so much growth. It is very rewarding.

A funny memory?

I made a mistake once and was a little flustered by it. My student said, “Don’t worry Mrs. Bari, your brain is growing right now!”

An important thing you work on in your classroom?

Teaching the girls how to make connections with all sorts of people of other races,
cultures, and age groups is so important.

A favorite book?

Little Women

Your happy place outside of AIS?

Spending time at the beach with my husband and two boys.