"In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate"
Some time back, a friend of mine shared an incident about how she met her former professor who, when told that she was training to be a teacher, said that 'you wasted my time'. That must really hurt my friend alot.
This friend of mine is a really intelligent muslimah and one of the sisters whom I look up to. So when I read about her defense on teaching, I felt conflicted. One one hand, I agree with her professor that after four years of training to be a journalist, it becomes such a waste that one cannot contribute back into the field that lacks so much female muslim voices. But on the other hand, I agree and I also support this sister in her reasons for becoming a teacher.
I quote: And now after graduation, at this juncture, as I reflect upon my role as God's Creation and in the grander scheme of things, I feel that being a teacher is the best way for me to make some change in this wonky world. Many people say teachers become teachers because they feel the most powerful in the classroom, because they have 'no other jobs', because because because... But I'd like to say that the feeling of being able to bring younger individuals on a journey, to make them learn and learn with them, is a beautiful one.
As I seat here at NIE, trying to comprehend what has just happened to me, I realise I have the better option of being in control of my learning. That God has given me the best faculties to make sense of this world. And I hope the person realised I actually didn't waste the person's time.
In fact, the person has helped me to realise the dimensions of the larger goal I have in life.
I didn't waste your time. You were one of the people who made me into a better someone.
This friend of mine is a really intelligent muslimah and one of the sisters whom I look up to. So when I read about her defense on teaching, I felt conflicted. One one hand, I agree with her professor that after four years of training to be a journalist, it becomes such a waste that one cannot contribute back into the field that lacks so much female muslim voices. But on the other hand, I agree and I also support this sister in her reasons for becoming a teacher.
I quote: And now after graduation, at this juncture, as I reflect upon my role as God's Creation and in the grander scheme of things, I feel that being a teacher is the best way for me to make some change in this wonky world. Many people say teachers become teachers because they feel the most powerful in the classroom, because they have 'no other jobs', because because because... But I'd like to say that the feeling of being able to bring younger individuals on a journey, to make them learn and learn with them, is a beautiful one.
As I seat here at NIE, trying to comprehend what has just happened to me, I realise I have the better option of being in control of my learning. That God has given me the best faculties to make sense of this world. And I hope the person realised I actually didn't waste the person's time.
In fact, the person has helped me to realise the dimensions of the larger goal I have in life.
I didn't waste your time. You were one of the people who made me into a better someone.
Masyaallah... [by the way, if you're reading this, please don't mind that I quote this from you]
As for me, many people ask me "What are you going to do after you graduate?" and seriously I don't like being asked that... Whatever I want to be or choose to want to be, are all hinged upon Allah's decisions...
Many people assume that I would also go into teaching... and many more tell me that I should. And I tell them that I cannot teach children whom I have no emotional connection with... I cannot teach them for a year or two or three and watch them go away into their own lives without me beside them. But I can teach adults... because they are responsible for their own learning and they are of equal standing to argue with. Surely one cannot expect a 7 year old child to defend himself on why he chooses to colour the bread black instead of brown or beige?
As a woman and as a Muslim, I feel there is more that I can do for the world and I want to contribute back with a greater force than if I were to be a teacher. There are already many sisters in the teaching fraternity... but how many have stepped up to be leaders of the country? or leaders of the judicial systems? win a Nobel prize? Not many...
I'm not saying I am hoping to do all those things... but for me... that's a starting point to consider the value of my future.
As for me, many people ask me "What are you going to do after you graduate?" and seriously I don't like being asked that... Whatever I want to be or choose to want to be, are all hinged upon Allah's decisions...
Many people assume that I would also go into teaching... and many more tell me that I should. And I tell them that I cannot teach children whom I have no emotional connection with... I cannot teach them for a year or two or three and watch them go away into their own lives without me beside them. But I can teach adults... because they are responsible for their own learning and they are of equal standing to argue with. Surely one cannot expect a 7 year old child to defend himself on why he chooses to colour the bread black instead of brown or beige?
As a woman and as a Muslim, I feel there is more that I can do for the world and I want to contribute back with a greater force than if I were to be a teacher. There are already many sisters in the teaching fraternity... but how many have stepped up to be leaders of the country? or leaders of the judicial systems? win a Nobel prize? Not many...
I'm not saying I am hoping to do all those things... but for me... that's a starting point to consider the value of my future.
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