“Educational Excellence Through Dedication”
In this insightful interview, we sit down with Shouq Al-Yousef, an accomplished English teacher and TOT trainer, to explore her journey and philosophy in education. With a solid educational background from PAAET’s Basic Education College and certifications from BITA and GBG, Shouq has dedicated herself to making a significant impact in government schools. Inspired by her English professor, Dr. Amal Al-Adwani, Shouq believes in the power of passionate teaching to transform lives. She discusses the evolving education landscape, the introduction of the Kuwait National Curriculum and Standards (KNCS), and her innovative methods to engage students. Shouq shares her challenges, joys, and aspirations, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the life of a teacher committed to nurturing young minds.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Shouq Al-Yousef, an English teacher, a TOT trainer, certified in teaching English language at foundation level.
Tell us about your education.
I studied and graduated from PAAET – basic education college / English language and then took the TOT trainer from the BITA and GBG licenses and I’m a certified trainer for basic English for foundation level.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I always found it challenging to prove our existence and it was always about who believes and sees us differently and it was my English professor Dr. Amal Al-Adwani back in college.
Why government schools? Why did you opt for teaching at private schools?
I believe that a passionate teacher can make a good impact whether working in government or private schools. For me, I always see myself drawing a good line in teaching at government schools because it is about the teacher himself or herself not the place.
How do you feel the education landscape has changed since you started in your role?
I do notice the change of the education landscape in which they did change the curriculum into (Kuwait National curriculum and standards / KNCS). It is the adoption of an educational approach focusing on human rights as capabilities, competencies and skills. According to my role as a teacher, I always upgrade the methods in teaching to suit the individual differences in my classroom equally.
Can you describe some unique techniques or methods that you have invented or adopted in your teaching?
One of the best ways in teaching was the military way in teaching English language. In which teaching primary kids at the ages of 6-7 is challenging, I created a whole method of fun and discipline inside my classroom and also, I adopted the power teaching and applied it in my classrooms.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Being around the kids, it is always a safe place for me, though I always find myself in deep sense in one of them.
What would you say are the most challenging aspects of your job?
The most challenging aspect is there isn’t flexibility in doing a task when we as teachers must do plenty at one time, and that may put us during the 7 hours of work under pressure.
What are the top 3 important qualities you think a teacher should have?
I think the top 3 qualities in every teacher must be (creativity, patience and being passionate).
As a teacher, what one thing do you need more of?
I believe every teacher need more training on challenges to improve our teaching skills, it is important to understand we are also learners.
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the teaching profession today?
The biggest challenge that is facing teaching profession today is not giving teachers the right to teach the curriculum in their way. I also think teachers must have a license to be qualified enough to teach in their way.
How do you try and foster a love of reading in children?
Although I am not a fan of reading, but I love when I can make a kid read. It is about how to create a good foundation through games, challenges, and questioning techniques to tackle their higher level of thinking.
In general, do you think your role as a teacher is respected by your students and parents? By the society? By your family and friends?
The love of the kids always sparks in their eyes. They do find me the mother before the teacher in their first grades after that I am the good friend, when the kids love you will immediately gain the parents respect out of their children’s respect for their teacher. Family and society do respect a teacher who make a difference.
If given an opportunity what are some of the things, you will improve or change in education?
One thing needs to change in my opinion is the curriculum. It doesn’t suit the 21-century kid. We are talking about education for kids who find technology important and smart enough to learn by self-learning.
How do you think our role as teachers will change in the coming years?
Hopefully, we are hoping to widen up the role of us in the community, more opportunities, more advantages may help teachers to improve themselves when finding that the community does appreciate their work enough as teachers in the society.
Your favourite quote(s)?
My favorite quote is “good things come in small packages” ~Aesop, and “A teacher effects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
How do you generally spend your free time?
I am a workaholic person. I like to volunteer as a storyteller, or work in my courses. Sometimes, I do like learning about new things like (debates).
What are some of your other hobbies?
I only have one. It’s writing. It is a way to communicate with my inner child, the teenager and myself in depth.
If you had to give some concrete advice to a new teacher, it would be.
My only advice is “teach them the way you wished to be taught” and you will have fun.
Your message for us at CP magazine.
Thank you CP magazine for this opportunity. It was a pleasure having this kind of interviews with you guys
Best of luck.
