Mom first. Humbled by the young minds I work with. Literacy advocate. Voracious reader. Teacher at heart. Proudly serving as Principal
@RedWillowPS
@peelschools
The man who killed four innocent Muslims & orphaned one - was a Grade 8 student just 6-7 years ago. This is *why* we do the work we do in schools.
This is why conversations about race & oppression are needed. Embedded into curriculum, into instruction.
Educate.
#londonontario
Anyone else feel like Dr. Lawrence Loh is one of the only people who has shown compassion, empathy, and unrelenting leadership?
Thank you, on behalf of Peel. Honestly, on behalf of Ontario.
TU for sharing
@Ms_Rodrigues19
@DrMunaSaleh
this Hijabi rockstar had me all kinds of smiling this morning. We all need this right now. Anyone else sharing
#COVID
ー19
#COVID19Ontario
isolation family dances? Maybe the content we need.
This isn’t just about Halloween. Here is a confident 4 year old
@PteBuckamSingh
@PeelSchools
student who believes he can proudly wear his turban & be anything he sets his mind on. My heart is full knowing he believes this so early in life. 🧡🎃
Somewhere in Canada (I think) - not Brampton 😊 - women in isolation are flaunting their Desi swag while physically distancing themselves. Their laughter is infectious & brings me so much happiness. If you look for beauty & joy you’ll find it.
#COVID2019
Remember when Italy was in Covid crisis last yr? Celebrities showed solidarity, opera singers around the world paid tributes, we ALL tweeted images from Rome?
Never read ONE discriminatory comment about Italians.
One yr later, India. Race dictates response.
Do better, ppl.
Two Grade 5 girls came to see me in my office, best friends. One Sikh. The other, Muslim.
Ecstatic with laughter that
#SikhHeritageMonth
#Ramadan
start together this year. Shared friendship tales of Hazrat Mian Mir & Guru Arjan Dev with me.
Kids could teach us all so much.
If Muslims stormed into the U.S Capitol - they would be dead - but Muslims like myself would be tweeting our outrage & trying SO HARD to prove Islam is a peaceful religion.
My white colleagues don’t need to prove anything after today’s violence.
That’s why we call it privilege.
What are educators going to discuss tomorrow?
My children just said they’d be dead if they were the ones storming into Capitol Hill.
Do not speak about Dr. King, Rosa Parks or Viola Desmond during Black History Month in three weeks if you will not unpack what happened today.
Someone I barely know reached out, thanking me for tweeting about Islam/Ramadan.
Why do I tweet?
1. I am unapologetically Muslim
2. The hate Canadians feel towards Muslims is real & vile
3. Ramadan is about love & compassion
4. So others learn what the media never shares
The day commemorating
#GeorgeFloyd
one year death anniversary, heard ppl say he sacrificed his life for the greater good.
Today at the
#London
Muslim family’s funeral, I could hear people hailing them as martyrs.
Neither died for a cause. They wanted to live. Hate killed them.
Am I the only one who often visits
@DrNadiaChaudhri
Twitter feed to search for pearls of wisdom?
If only we could all leave such a beautiful legacy behind.
To miss the inspiration of someone you have never met - is what embodies legacy.
We can all be supporting Ukraine without losing touch of the realities in other parts of the world.
Yesterday a bomb blast killed 60 Shia Pakistanis. Most didn’t even know about it.
Don’t call people divisive because they’re highlighting other atrocities along with Ukraine.
I’m Muslim. When I first moved to Brampton 20 years ago - told mum my neighbours were Sikh.
She told me their neighbours growing up in Kampala were Sikh.
Beta, she said, a Sikh family will always protect those around them. No harm will ever come to your home. She was right.
Post
#September11
, people mistook Sikhs for Muslims & attacked them in hate.
But the Sikh people didn’t tell people, “We’re not Muslims”. Sikhs refused to save their own skin by deflecting the hate to their Muslim sisters and brothers.
Solidarity 🌸❤️
The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, said to his followers - if hunger is all you gained in Ramadan, you have failed to understand Ramadan.
Educators, don’t pity students or colleagues because they’re fasting. Ramadan is about spiritual renewal, community, charity, and forgiveness.
Teacher on staff called me last night.
“Zohrin, three of my students are fasting on Thursday and Friday for the big Ramadan days. Can you please help me pronounce the names of these holy days so I can share in their celebration?”
Responsive.
“later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered
where does it hurt?
it answered
everywhere
everywhere
everywhere”
~ Warsan Shire
As a Muslim educator, my advice to all Ts around the globe tomorrow - take care of your Muslim students. Unpack this by fighting against
#Islamophobia
but tomorrow, hold them close. I am a grown woman & my heart is breaking.
#ChristchurchMosque
Khudadad Khan, first Indian soldier to receive the Victoria Cross. 400,000 Muslims fought in WWI.
Ishar Singh, 1st Sikh to receive a Victoria Cross. Canadian Sikhs fought WWI even when they could NOT vote, including
@PteBuckamSingh
This
#RemembranceDay
share their stories too.
Khudadad Khan, first South Asian soldier to receive the Victorian Cross. A Muslim.
Ishar Singh, 1st Sikh to receive the VC.
Canadian Sikhs fought during WWI even when they could not vote, including our namesake
@PteBuckamSingh
This
#RemembranceDay2020
remember their names too.
Black students
@PeelSchools
should never feel that educators will tweet about them for one day. How do we move from performative to authentic? From Tweets to action? Move beyond.
Years ago, a seasoned T told me, “Mawji, no kid wakes up with the intention of making your day hard. Listen carefully to the why. Treat every S in your room the way you’d want your own children to be treated, you’ll then realize how lovable each can be.” Best new teacher advice.
My 1st year of teaching, P who hired me said, “Z, you don’t need these charts. Love your Ss, appreciate & respect them. Never yell or humiliate. Trust me. You’ll never need a classroom contract of rules again.” Classroom management begins with OUR mindset, not their behaviour.
In my 21 yrs of teaching, I've used many classroom management strategies--clips, checks, charts--name it, I've tried it, but I've become more and more convinced that effective classroom management comes out of building relationships and knowing when to pick a battle
#teacherlife
I have known GB since she was in Gr2. 💙
Last year, an art project with her Gr5 T led to this. A proud Sikh, she wanted to show her pride for
@PteBuckamSingh
but also express her love for Canada. Her art is now our school logo. GB, last year & today. So proud.
@SilviaZannella
We lost a child to Covid, a child.
Right here in Brampton. The city I love and live in. Her mum in ICU with Covid, will not be there for her daughter’s last rites.
Nor her burial.
When MOH Elliott could have shown empathy or compassion, being a mom herself, she said...
1/2
Maintaining relationships at the expense of not speaking our truth is something racialized professionals struggle with.
We are good at keeping the peace, sitting with our anger, but each time we stay quiet - we help the very ppl who benefit from our marginalization & silence.
I know we are all concerned about the abhorrent edits to the math curriculum but a reminder - many of us were embedding the *front matter* before we were even told to.
Teaching any subject through an anti-oppression lens doesn’t require permission. Just responsive teaching.
Black soldiers were recruited for a SEGREGATED Construction Battalion during WW1. They dug trenches, built shelters for white combat soldiers & carried the dead. Recognition of their service only came 75 years later.
Know their names. This
#RemembranceDay
share their stories.
“You teach in a Brown school right?” was asked yesterday. Most of my Ss are South Asian but just in these two pics alone are kids who follow 5 diff religions & speak 6 diff languages. Each very unique culturally. Culturally res teaching is knowing they’re not just “Brown kids.”
At our
#SikhHeritageMonth
virtual assembly, Gr4 SJ from
@PteBuckamSingh
started us off by singing one of her favourite Shabads, Guru Nanak Meri Paij Sawari & my heart might have skipped when she said, “Please feel free to sing along.”
Students loved it.
@PeelSchools
People saying:
“This is a war effort”
“Feels like we are living in a war zone”
“My rights are being trampled on”
I was in Iran during the war - some of you have no idea what a war zone looks like.
Wear a mask. Stop complaining.
Check. Your. Privilege.
I’m told convos about racism is just too much now; affecting mental health. Too heavy, overwhelming.
No. Ppl simply don’t want to hear the truth. Nobody wants their bubble of privilege popped.
Can’t we all get along? The good ole days? You mean when NO ONE held you accountable?
Just had lunch with a principal colleague who reminded me that leadership is never about hierarchy & authority - it’s about ensuring you are nourishing the people under your care - students, families, and staff.
Take care of people. Be the reason they see hope in themselves.
Do you know who your Muslim students/families/staff are?
On Friday, please take the time to wish your Muslim students/staff Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Karim - as Ramadan will begin during the spring break.
If you need resources/support, reach out to
@shazia_sheikh_
(TU Shazia)
In the last four days:
Somalia bombed
Syria bombed
Yemen bombed
Adolescents in Gaza murdered
Not a peep from the media. Global reaction is and always will be based on the skin colour of victims and as Ottawa showed us, criminals too.
London, ON police believe this was a targeted attack on an innocent family because they were Muslim.
Not an isolated incident.
This is what happens when we remain silent as Islamophobia rages in Canada.
We continue warning Canadians it’s getting worse. We feel it.
Listen.
The pre dawn meal Muslims wake up for is called Suhoor, eaten by Fajr (morning prayer) around 4am. Fasting then lasts until Maghrib (evening prayer) around 8:30-8:45. Every Ramadan I shift my timetable & teach Math first thing & keep lighter subjects for later - 1 of 3 ⬇️
Nov8 is
#IndigenousVeteransDay
share identity tags of fallen Indigenous soldiers with Ss. Using the service number on the tag, Ss can visit the Canadian Virtual War Memorial to learn more about the soldiers.
This
#RemembranceDay
share their stories.
Between November 1 & January 15, there are over 20 major holidays celebrated by 7 of the world’s major religions. No matter how or what you celebrate, each holiday embodies love & giving. Let’s end 2019 with what binds us together. Maybe student announcers to promote these daily?
To all my Sikh Ss who have shared they were once called diaper head- this is for you. Show this clip to all your Ss. Let each know that anyone can dream big while still holding on to who they are. With pride.
#WeTheNORTH
So my son Abdool (hair net and all) met
@theJagmeetSingh
at work & all he could think about was getting a message in for me 💕 Is this totally cool or what? Thanks so much
@theJagmeetSingh
Abdool was over the moon excited when he called during his break.
How to respond to hate speech in the classroom? Thank you for this
@finleyt
importance of discussing with students, what is teasing? Does intention make a difference? Who describes hate speech, the speaker or recipient? How to respond to “I was just kidding.”
@JamesGrievePS
You can read all the equity books, attend all the workshops you want.
But if you cannot learn to love all children, see the magic in them - you have work to do.
@juliaerin80
#toolsforantiracistteaching
@PBS
Found these (TU Dr. Seerat K Chawla on IG)
Many of us, including POC, ask ourselves if we are Authentic allies versus Performative allies. I know I struggle internally & have to check myself everyday.
Btw, please read Layla F. Saad’s
#meandwhitesupremacy
Thread 👇🏽
Rest in power
@DrNadiaChaudhri
for those of us who followed your story for months - we are grateful for your wisdom & life lessons. May your transition be beautiful. We know the feast of nihari & kebabs you hoped for is waiting for you.
Sun & Moon will be in our prayers tonight.
@DrNadiaChaudhri
passed away yesterday evening, having reached the end of her road with ovarian cancer. She leaves behind her Sun and Moon, a loving extended family, colleagues and students, friends around the world, and so many others who have been touched by her & her story 1/n
Eid Mubarak everyone! Oh my, do I ever miss being able to hug loved ones on the morning of Eid. Wish you and yours - a lovely day filled with peace and hope.
#eidmubarak2020
As a G8 teacher with her Math specialist (one of
#OntEd
requirements by 2020) not sure I understand the back to “basics” in
#OntEd
if coding, life skills, critical thinking are the “basics” then I believe many of us are already doing this in our math classrooms. Pls see thread.
Ts - I don't want to see medicine wheels in your classrooms. Teaching crafts, culture, and spirituality of Indigenous Peoples is not curriculum. History and facts are curriculum.
It's okay not to know. It's just not okay to stay there.
@Giidaakunadaad1
#UnsettlingCanadaVoicEd
This morning, I made an announcement calling for students who are fasting to come see me - as I am also fasting.
The excitement as they strolled into my office…
Together, we came up with a plan to support each other with accommodations during
#Ramadan2023
@RedWillowPS
“For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?”
~ Bell Hooks
Just putting it out there...
It’s not “Poonjaabi” it is pronounced “Puhnjabee”
It’s not “Moozlim” there is no Z. It’s an S.
Considering the demographics we serve, please say these words correctly during your meetings. In the age of technology, no excuses for mispronunciation.
Thinking of my 21 y/o son whose five closest friends are Black or Brown.
Masked, in a distance, they go for long walks in our Brampton neighbourhood. It’s their only outlet to get out and socialize.
How will this policing affect racialized young men?
We wait and see...
“Emily’s death is truly a tragedy, however...”
Followed by...
“Brampton has received significant assistance. There’s no suggestion that they’re receiving any less than they’re entitled to.”
We should all be enraged. DF, spare us the tears next time.
2/2
Tomorrow or Sunday 1/4 of the globe will begin fasting from dawn to sunset & practise patience while hungry & thirsty. Gratitude & humility will increase when able to eat a meal after sundown. A month of forgiveness, love & relentless pursuit of goodness.
Ramadan Karim to all.
Today a Lunchroom Supervisor told me she taught college level science in India, has a PhD in Chemistry & tutors Grade 12 IB students in science. I learned about her skills & passion because I asked. Everyone has a story, our assumptions or biases often hinder us from hearing it.
Tomorrow or Wednesday, a 1/4 of the globe will fast from dawn to sunset. Through this, we will learn patience. Gratitude & humility will increase when eating a meal after sundown.
A month of forgiveness, love, and the relentless pursuit of good. Ramadan Karim 2 all.
#Ramadan2021
The death toll in Pakistan has reached 1400, almost half are children. Students & families in our communities are impacted. At dismissal on Friday, a Pakistani mother cried to me - mourning the climate crisis. Touch base with your families.
Look beyond the monarchy. For a bit.
Not everyone dresses up for Halloween. It’s a personal choice.
For years, I have listened to folx equate not dressing up as “lacking school spirit” or “not taking one for the kids.”
It’s gaslighting. Disrespectful.
Language is everything. Do better. For kids, for colleagues.
Tomorrow is Jumu'atul-Widaa' (Arabic: جمعة الوداع) meaning the Friday of Farewell. Muslims around the world begin to bid farewell to Ramadan - eloquently through poetry, giving of charity, and reciting Quran. A day we show gratitude for another year of life, another Ramadan.
"Equity work, it's all we do now. Let's do something else for a change?"
Stop.
For the past few decades - we have placed *everything* before the humanity of BIPOC staff, students, and families.
If it's too much - consider yourself lucky that racism has *never* touched you.
In Dec
@PteBuckamSingh
Gr3 student AJ challenged me to learn Bhangra. We even have a plan to dance together (one day) so when he heard my music blasting as we waited to begin our Car Parade, he showed me some moves! From a distance of course & proudly wearing his Buckam Blue 💕💕
Murdered on June 6, 2021
London, Ontario - Canada
Yumna Afzaal, 15,
Madiha Salman, 44
Salman Afzaal, 46
Talat Afzaal, 74
Survived by Fayez Afzaal, 9
Vigils are not enough to conquer hate.
#Islamophobia
is systemic. How are we using education, policy, and law to fight back?
Over half of our Board’s students are South Asian.
South Asians are not a monolith.
My former Ss, in this group alone - six diff languages spoken, five different religions practised. Each very unique culturally. Responsive teaching is knowing they’re not just “Brown Kids”.
🤔
Do you recognize them?
#IslamicHeritageMonth
is not about indoctrination of religion. As a Brown Muslim woman - I want stereotypes shattered. Narratives disrupted. Myths dispelled. Questions asked. Muslims celebrated. What will YOU be doing in your schools to accomplish this?
If educators say they're too overwhelmed to do Anti-Racist work?
I say stop the nonsense. There's always something distracting us. It's a privilege to serve communities. If you don't want to do the work, you don't have to be an educator.
@Drawn2Intellect
#MoreThanSurviveVoicEd
In 1931, across Rabbi Posner’s home, stood the Nazi headquarters. Rabbi Posner’s wife Rachel lit the Menorah, capturing the Nazi flag in the background.
On the back of the photo she wrote, “Our light will always outcast their flag.”
To all celebrating
#ChagSameach
#Hanukkah
Relationships.
Our lunchroom supervisors are an integral part of our
@RedWillowPS
family & the students are reminded of this each day.
Today a group of Gr5s danced with our lunchroom supervisors - with intent of including them in our holiday celebrations.
Highlight of my day.
For folks who are “done” with “equity work” remember the 18 year old white supremacist who murdered 10 innocent Black ppl in a grocery store was once a student.
Impressionable. Curious.
As educators, when we do NOT talk about
#BuffaloNY
#ShireenAbuAqleh
our silence is telling.
Written beautifully by one of our own
@PeelSchools
educators
@RehanaDhirani
whose dad tragically lost his life, respected & so loved in our Mosque. Our prayers are with you - My father died on Flight 752. Here's what I want you to know.
Educators - for the sake of everything that is good & right...
Please do not imply through your words or actions that students/staff who don’t participate in spirit days are lacking school spirit.
Not all *can* participate. Not all choose to participate.
Seriously.
Found this beautiful pic of
@MohamadFakih8
@superfan_nav
praying for a
@Raptors
win. Today every Canadian is with Toronto. Fireworks are being lit on my street in Brampton & oh boy, are we ever so proud of our team, our country.
Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, once said, “Why do we call women inferior, from HER Kings are born. There is none without her.”
Educators, amplify Sikh excellence, Sikh feminism, and Sikh contributions this April & always.
Sikh (pronounced sick)
#SikhHeritageMonth
Well intentioned people continue asking why our board is making anti-black racism training mandatory for leaders in education. This is why 👇🏽Because our biases, conscious or not, lead us to suspect black men. We criminalize black male youth, and it starts in the early years.
One of the Mosques attacked was called AlNoor - Noor in Arabic means light/radiance. You don’t have to be a Muslim educator to help on Monday. Be the Noor - for your Muslim colleagues & Ss. Do not be silent. Be an ally through your actions. We need you.
Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran were revealed on an odd numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Laylat Al-Qadr).
Many of us, for the next ten nights, will spend sunset to dawn in worship. Be flexible with Ss & their families.
Especially this year 🙏🏽
Khudadad Khan, first S. Asian soldier to receive the Victorian Cross. 400,000 Muslims fought in WWI. Ishar Singh, 1st Sikh to receive a VC. Canadian Sikhs fought WWI even when they could not vote, including our namesake
@PteBuckamSingh
This Remembrance D, share their stories too.
Khudadad Khan, first South Asian soldier to receive the Victorian Cross. Over 400,000 Muslim soldiers fought in WWI. Ishar Singh, the first Sikh to receive a VC. Sikh soldiers in Canada enlisted for WWI even when they could not vote. This Remembrance D, share their stories too.
Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.
~ Simon Sinek
I don’t think any other leadership philosophy matters. Just take care of the students, families, and staff you serve. Each one of them.
To me, that’s leadership.
A T once shared with me she’s very self conscious of her Desi accent. Due to past experiences.
I smiled & told her I’m in awe of her brilliance.
Fluently speaks & writes in 5 languages. Do WE have that super power?
Next time you equate accent with intellect, check yourself.
When a
@RedWillowPS
lunchroom supervisor knows you love milk cake and brings you Brar’s best to celebrate Bandi Chhor Diwas.
Her only condition - I return the favour and feed her on Eid-Al-Fitr. Zohrin, she says, Sikh or Muslim, we are bonded by food and love.
💕
It’s absolutely ok to be feeling sad that the break is over. However, the high fives & fist pumps you give tomorrow, the big smile reaching your eyes, showing you’re glad to see them & the words, “Missed you all,” will set the tone for the remaining five months. I promise.
“Brampton receives nearly $1000 less in health care funding per capita than elsewhere in Ontario - approx $1,000 compared to the $1,800 in other parts of the province.”
Racism is systemic. Stop blaming Black & Brown bodies for their negligence.
Patrick Case has reminded us that ON educators are THE single largest group to teach & uphold human rights. This is unacceptable but makes our work as educators more vital. We continue to honour the TRC’s Calls to Action - in our schools, our classrooms.
Yesterday I rushed to my baby sister
@MmeMawji
house for our book club dinner. Little did I know she arranged a surprise party to celebrate my promotion to VP. Surrounded by closest friends (some for over 30 years) and cousins. Heart full of love & gratitude. ❤️ Love you Nat.
When Grade 1 students
@RedWillowPS
tell you how beautiful they feel in their cultural attire - you take a picture.
The confidence and pride they were showing me during morning entry was the highlight of my day.
You are never an anti-racist educator - rather, you are becoming one. The learning never ends.
Each one of us has made mistakes - I have as well. This is when the deepest learning happens. Just keep doing the work. Try setting a precedence for others. Hold yourself accountable.
Sharing a letter written by a teacher in China during lockdown. Life seems like we are at the bottom, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. This will be over. It will be. Hope is what drives us. Lessons learned? Well that’s up to us, really.
#COVID19
#StayAtHomeAndStaySafe
The truth I have known since I was a child & every other Black & Brown child has known - only one thing distinguishes a “terrorist” criminalized for taking arms to protect their homeland between a “hero” celebrated for doing the EXACT same thing.
Skin colour.
Nothing else.
Blessed beyond measure. Today on the day of Jumma & Mawlid (celebration of Prophet Mohamed’s birth) - I became a Masi Jaan once again, this time to my beautiful nephew Muhammad Ali. Mashallah. ❤️
TU Ms. R for sending this to me. She gave me permission to share - her daughter K, Gr1 St
@PteBuckamSingh
has been away since Nov, fighting an up/down battle with leukemia. But yesterday, she came out in full force for our car parade. All smiles as Ts yelled, “We miss you K!” 💕
Tomorrow a 1/4 of the globe will fast from dawn to sunset so we can practise patience while hungry & thirsty. Gratitude & humility will increase when we are able to eat a meal after sundown. A month of forgiveness, love, and relentless pursuit of goodness. Ramadan Karim to all.
"You don't need to have a degree in Critical Race Theory. You just need to be human - to care enough about Black children the way you do for your own."
@AdvocacyPeel
#PDSBLetsTalk
Black soldiers were recruited for a segregated Construction Battalion during WW1. They dug trenches, built shelters for white combat soldiers, and carried the dead. Recognition of their service only came 75 years later. Know their names. This Remembrance Day, share their stories.