All around the world, teachers do fantastic work. They don’t just teach a curriculum – they instil values, encourage, support, befriend and truly impact the lives of their students and colleagues around them.
To help celebrate teachers and publicise their fantastic stories, we run a global competition called the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. The awards invite students, parents and other teachers to nominate an educator for something wonderful they have done. We then share these nominations for the world to see.
After we received over 11,000 entries from 99 different countries for the 2023 awards, our judges decided on Urdu Teacher, Uzma Siraj from Future World School in Pakistan, as the regional winner for Middle East and North Africa. So let’s find out more about Uzma!
Bio
From Karachi, Pakistan, Uzma has been teaching for over 19 years. She started her education journey as a Montessori teacher, and now caters to students between 14-18 years of age.
Currently, Uzma teaches Urdu as a second language at IGCSE and Urdu A Level at Future World School in Karachi, Pakistan.
Uzma’s nomination
Here is the nomination from Uzma’s principal that earned her the title of regional winner for Middle East and North Africa.
“Uzma Siraj, who started her journey as a Montessori teacher and made her way up to A levels is an ideal example of a passionate teacher. During her Montessori teaching days, she not only helped a physically-disabled child in her day-to-day tasks but also in winning her musical chair contest. Despite her own financial instability, she took it upon herself to sponsor the education of a janitorial staff’s child who dreamt to be a doctor. In order to expand her area of education, she herself appeared for the CAIE Urdu examinations and was awarded distinction. Her ailing husband and children were supported by this iron woman who worked twice her capabilities to make the ends meet by providing pick and drop service to students. Not only her own students, she pledged to help anyone in need and her efforts in organizing a flood relief charity drive are a proof.”
Uzma’s Q&A
What does it mean to you being a regional winner the 2023 Dedicated Teacher Awards?
Being the regional winner brings me immense pride, not just for myself but for my institute as well. Since I believe I’m a patriot, and I have always longed for doing something commendable for my country, Allah has given me this opportunity through this forum.
Why did you become a teacher?
Ever since I was a kid I have always wanted to become a teacher, believe it or not! I had always taken part in one day teaching during my school life and always secured first position. I feel Allah has blessed me with the quality of being heard and followed. And when I got the opportunity to select my profession, I had no doubts but to be a teacher by profession.
Do you have a dedicated teacher that inspired you?
Yes, my mentor – Ma’am Amina, whose foot steps I’m trying to follow. She taught me the power of ownership. Be it students, teacher or institution. One has to show ownership and act as a team in order to succeed and I believe this I’ve learnt from her.
Do you have a memorable teaching moment?
I still remember that day, when I had a student carried by her parents; she suffered from polio. I could see in her eyes how much she wanted to walk independently but she wasn’t able to.
The next day, she was taken to school by her driver but he too carried her to her class. The third day, I stood on the main gate to receive her. Due to polio she couldn’t match the walking pace of the other students, but she took baby steps and followed me to the class. I can’t describe how happy she was, and her happiness was evident not only in her eyes but in her face as well.
At the end of term party, when she won the musical chair competition, the contentment in her eyes and the tears in mine were a true reflection of how we both accomplished this together. I can never forget this time of my teaching career.
Please share three words to describe your typical week teaching
Collaboration, dedication and timeliness.
Tell us about a current project or school initiative that you’re excited about
One day I was reading a Facebook post by a student wherein she was very worried about her exam preparation. However, due to financial constraints she wasn’t able to afford a private tutor. That post really shook me to the core and I shared a post for all students to contact me for any queries regarding IGCSE and A Level Urdu without any charges. My caption was ‘no fees only prayers required’.
I received countless messages from all levels in no time. And for Cambridge examinations in May/June 2023 series, I guided over 500 students regularly free of cost via online classes. Now I’m anticipating their successful results and really excited about it.
Vote for Uzma
To vote for Uzma as your overall winner of the 2023 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards, go to our vote page.
