The Path of a Teacher

Rufaida Kheraj began teaching when she was still a student herself. She had finished her own religious education training early and decided to teach a class of younger students lessons from the Holy Book. Standing in front of a roomful of six year old faces alight with the characteristic curiosity and wonder of that age, Rufaida knew that she would one day become a teacher.

As I interview Rufaida, I am struck by the humility and grace with which she speaks of her various accomplishments: co-founding a program called Communicreate to help newcomer youth learn English and volunteering weekly at SEED (Supportive Environments and Experiences for [child] development). She pauses carefully before answering my questions, considering her response. Soft spoken in nature, there is a measured cadence to her speech and a thoughtful refrain to clarify the question at hand.

This is one of the things that will make Rufaida a great teacher: she is a very good listener. She tells me how important it is for children to feel heard and understood in the learning environment. In the various teaching positions she has held, her unique capacity to listen has enabled her to better connect with students.

In addition to her major in Education, Rufaida is minoring in Early Learning and Counselling and Human Development. This unique lens equips her with a heightened understanding of the psychological dimension to childhood learning.

Rufaida’s experiences with the programs offered by the SFU Surrey TD Community Engagement Center have honed her teaching skills and leadership capacity. To learn more about these programs and how to become involved, visit the SFU Surrey TD Community Engagement Center!