Mr. Lum's Bio

Aaron Lum is an English Language Arts teacher at the Academy for Software Engineering who is committed to fostering empathy, critical thinking, and student voice through literature. A former NYC Teaching Fellow, Aaron began his career at a transfer high school, where he spent six years supporting under-credited students through restorative practices, literacy interventions, and relationship-centered teaching.

 

Mr. Lum believes that literature has the power to build understanding across cultures, experiences, and perspectives. His classroom emphasizes empathy, discussion, and authentic engagement with texts, encouraging students to become thoughtful readers, writers, and members of their communities. As a strong advocate for restorative justice, he integrates community-building practices that promote accountability, reflection, and meaningful connections among students and staff.

 

His instructional approach combines traditional literary study with multimedia literacy, incorporating comparative literature and film analysis, graphic novels, creative writing, podcasts, and digital storytelling. By connecting classic and contemporary texts with visual and audio media, Aaron helps students develop critical thinking skills while discovering new ways to engage with literature

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Mr. Lum attended John Dewey High School and Brooklyn College, experiences that shaped his appreciation for New York City's diversity, cultural richness, and enduring resilience.