Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
03 October 2024 | 23:46 SAST
2-minute read

Image: Supplied

Making waves at this year’s National Teaching Awards (NTA) in Gauteng was Raheema Ismail, who is a teacher at Willowmore Secondary School in Ekurhuleni North and was awarded the prestigious Excellence in Teaching Mathematics Award for the third consecutive year.

Raheema emphasises that the award, which recognises her innovative approach to teaching, is only possible through the will of Allah (SWT). Expressing sincere gratitude, she says, “The first thing I have to begin with is praise to the Almighty, Alhamdulillah. There is no accolade without His help.”

The road to achievement was not an easy one, with Raheema having to overcome various personal obstacles over the past year. However, through perseverance and hard work, she has excelled yet again and has continued to make a significant contribution in the field of mathematics education.

Raheema’s passion for mathematics began during her formative years as a scholar and has fuelled her career in secondary mathematics education.

“I always had a passion for the subject,” Raheema recalls. “With regards to education specifically, I felt as a young Muslim female, that would be the best career path for me. And I do believe that teaching is my calling. It’s a work of heart and deliverance, which I do believe I do with great passion,” she added.

Raheema says it is extremely rewarding to witness the way learners flourish, excel and light up when they achieve good results, and explains that her goal is to dismiss the notion that mathematics is difficult.

“My ambition [is] to ultimately uplift mathematics education in our country; to advance the youth to become leaders,” Raheema said.

With regards to education, Raheema emphasises the importance of understanding learners’ different academic capabilities and assisting learners to develop and achieve their full potential.

Tools such as Google Classroom enable Raheema to ensure learners always have access to mathematics resources.

With just 18 days before the 2024 National Senior Certificate Examinations get underway, Raheema advises that consistent preparation and revision throughout the year is key for survival.

“It does take constant monitoring and assessment to identify if learners are on track with their goals, and to provide them with the additional support that they require to make sure that they are well prepared for the final exam,” Raheema said.

Raheema is a strong advocate for STEM education – which she believes is the gateway to a better future- and thus encourages learners to pursue mathematics beyond high school. Mathematics is beneficial for all high school learners, Raheema emphasises, because it facilitates the development of reasoning, deduction and logic.

Balancing her professional life with her role as a wife and mother of three is no easy feat, but Raheema approaches it with a combination of effective time management and unwavering dedication.

“It can be very, very demanding,” she shared. “With great support from my husband specifically and my family and friends, I am able to juggle between all my roles.”

As an educator in a government school and a proud Niqabi, Raheema also ensures that her Muslim identity is never compromised. She has spearheaded initiatives like weekly taalim, Jumm’uah salaah, and uniform accommodations for Muslim learners. Through her efforts, she serves as a role model for her learners, encouraging young Muslims to embrace their Islam with confidence.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Ibrahim Daya.