PD Provider Highlight: Aisha Ansari
ISLA is honored to provide high quality professional development to Islamic schools across the country. In this PD Provider Highlight, we would like to share more information about Sr. Aisha Ansari, one of our leading PD Providers! In partnership with ISLA, Sr. Aisha has provided engaging and informational virtual training sessions to educators on: Differentiated Instruction, Accelerated Learning, ELA Techniques & Strategies, Integrated Curriculum, and more. We decided to find out more about Sr. Aisha and share some gems from her with you all!
Aisha Ansari, PD Provider
What led you to become an educator?
What topic are you passionate about?
Share a success story
“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”
This old Chinese proverb always speaks to me! When we mentor teachers, our goal is not to provide them with new knowledge, tools, or even skills; these are the results of our efforts, not the goal. Our goal for educators is the same as it is for students: to help them realize their unlimited growth potential and become lifelong learners capable of directing their own learning over time.
Despite the fact that there are numerous training cycle models in use in education, I recall the first time I participated in one. I knew I had to first establish trust and ensure that when I train a teacher, she understands that I am not judging her, but rather assisting her in learning a trade.
I began to get to know the teacher as a person before beginning to work collaboratively with a first-year educator teaching 6th grade RELA to set educational and student learning goals, develop a plan to support the goals, and track progress. I would meet with her and learn about her strengths while observing her classroom. It would result in two blazes and a wonder I witnessed in your class. I would simply “wonder” about the strategy’s implementation. We both saw a gradual improvement in the classroom and student success, which was a win-win situation for both the mentor and the mentee.
Share one strategy that a teacher should implement in the classroom for the 2nd semester
Nowadays, our students come from many different backgrounds and hold different learning expectations. Because learners bring a wealth of knowledge and experience into the classroom, a very effective approach to teaching is one that will consider and take advantage of their various backgrounds and skills. I’d like to share some teaching strategies that are responsive to students’ interests.
Going back to personalizing learning, when possible, allow students to work in the way they prefer that day: Some might want to work independently and quietly while others listen to audiobooks or watch a video; and some students might opt for group activities, like playing a game that has learning objectives or collaborating to complete an assignment. Start the second semester by having students do an interest survey and find out how to personalize their learning experiences.
Share a tip for parents
Lead by example. Children’s first teachers are their parents. If you would like them to read for at least 20 minutes a day, set an environment and read with them. If you wish for them to recite the Quran each day, set an example. Children observe silently and will do what they see you do.
If you would like to schedule a virtual Professional Development for your school, contact: Info@theisla.org
