Welcome to ‘Meet the Teacher’ where our lovely staff at the Lady Nafisa school introduce themselves and share their experiences on what it’s like being an educator at an independent Islamic girls school.
So let’s get started and meet the teacher!
Tell us a little bit about yourself, what you teach and how long you have been a teacher?
Assalamu alaikum, I’m ustadha Sanam and I teach Science, I have been teaching Science for 21 years!
When and why did you decide you wanted to become a teacher?
I think I always wanted to be a teacher, but I hadn’t really decided until I left university. I had actually planned to study Arabic after I finished my Science degree, but needed to get a job. That’s when I started teaching. I liked the idea of meeting new people and working with lots of different types of people so I knew I would enjoy working in a school. I also loved using a whiteboard – and still do.
How would you define a great lesson?
I think its simple, a great lesson is one in which students are actively engaged and walk away having learnt something. Ideally a great lesson would also be one in which the students are enthused by the subject matter.
What do you enjoy about teaching at an all girls school?
Working in a girls school, it really feels like one big family. Staff and students have an excellent rapport with one another, the environment is geared to learning but also has a relaxed feel.
If you could only give one piece of advice to a student what would it be?
School is a place of learning, not just from a textbook, take all the opportunities you can to learn and grow as a human being.
What would be your dream school trip?
An Umrah trip 😊
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love spending time outdoors with my children visiting historical places, parks and zoos. Personally, I also enjoy reading fantasy novels, designing and creating things.
If you weren’t a teacher what other profession do you think you would choose?
I think I would work in a museum or a zoo (in the teaching departments).
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I wanted to be a paramedic, until I realised I was scared of blood!
What’s your favourite inspirational quote?
“None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself” The Prophet Muhammed (S)
And finally, what does education mean to you?
An opportunity to learn and progress.
Thank you so much to Ustadha Sanam for sharing with us. Join us next month and see who will be telling us their story.
