Penha-Lopes, who has taught at the school affiliated with the Presbyterian Church for 11 years, also serves as co-chair on Brazilian affairs at Columbia University.
“Our students must … understand various cultures in a world that has become very small. Vânia has the experience and personal perspective to teach that,” said psychology professor Rashmi Jaipal, a native of India who also taught at Bloomfield for 11 years and created the school’s Center for Cultures program. “Students are not taught about the rest of the world, and it’s not considered important. Vânia makes it relevant to show that what we learn from other countries can also be used here.”
