Teacher Appreciation Week, which fell from May 2-6 2022, presented an opportunity to say “thank you” to the educators who work tirelessly throughout the year to help their students.  And, with the ongoing challenges posed by COVID19, helping ensure progress in learning has taken extra effort and care.

This year, the San Francisco Bay Area Dawoodi Bohras marked the occasion by highlighting some of the voluntary and professional educators in their community who teach in their neighborhoods.

Shakir Burhani (Fremont, CA)
Head of Religious and Cultural Education Program, Dawoodi Bohras of San Francisco

Since 2001, I’ve been offering religious and cultural education to Dawoodi Bohra students.   I started as a volunteer in Houston, and moved into leadership roles in 2010.  Since then, I’ve been responsible for leading groups of volunteer teachers in helping students become positive, compassionate, helpful and conscientious citizens through a strong foundation built on the religious and cultural values and traditions of the Dawoodi Bohra faith.  I have also taught in Boston, and have now been in Fremont for over 5 years.  I’m driven by the understanding that Dawoodi Bohra kids are often first or second generation Americans and, being born in the US myself, I have a unique perspective of the challenges they face.  One of my fondest memories is hearing a former student talk to a group of youths about his personal struggles and how he was able to overcome them through his faith.  He credited his relationship with me, and his ability to come and talk to me, as part of his success, and went on to advise them to find someone in their spheres that could do the same for them.  It takes a village, and I count myself among the lucky few that have a small hand in supporting our children’s success.

Fatema Yamani (Fremont, CA)
Local Owner - Crayola Imagine Arts Academy

I started my teaching journey 13 years ago when I accompanied my eldest son on his first day of cultural classes at Masjid-e-Mohammedi in Fremont.  Today, I'm blessed to be running two businesses that help children realize their full potential.  One is a preschool / afterschool program and the other is a creative expression forum through art.  Children inspire me everyday with their curiosity and creativity, their willingness to trust,  their ability to overcome struggles, their joy at their accomplishments and their sincerity.  The respect and love students show are the driving forces that take me through my day.  Over the years, my students  have taught me to be more optimistic, more patient, more adventurous and, above all, a better listener.  Being an educator brings out the best in me.

Zaitoon Ranijiwala (Fremont, CA) (Photographed above)
Volunteer Teacher - Religious and Cultural Education, Dawoodi Bohras of San Francisco

I have been teaching for the past 35 years and had started back when I was in the 12th grade of high school when I tutored young kids.  Since then, I’ve always been fond of working with elementary school aged children.  Younger children are like sponges - their capacity to absorb knowledge is incredible to see.  It's so inspiring.  Bringing out their natural curiosity and talents has become a lifelong passion for me.  Among the most special moments is when a student comes up to me later in life with kids of their own and recalls being taught by me.  It makes me so happy to see them doing well in life - educated, well-rounded, professionals and business owners who are giving back to their communities in important ways.  It's heartwarming to know that I had an opportunity to make a positive impact in their success.

Safia Bakerywala (Fremont, CA)
Local Owner - Golden Harvest Montessori School

I have been volunteering at my children’s schools and teaching for 21 years - and I love it!  Currently, I am the owner and Director of a Montessori preschool, and opened a second branch last October that includes Afterschool too.  There’s nothing like the intrinsic reward you get when a child first begins to read, or write their numbers and letters.  You can feel their happiness and joy and their sense of achievement.  The children and their willingness and wanting to learn and try new things drive me in this profession.  It's incredible to see their sense of wonder when they understand something for the first time and share it with their teacher and friends.

Tasneem Izzee (Fremont, CA)
Substitute Teacher - Fremont Unified School District

I have been teaching in the local elementary schools since 1998, primarily as a daily substitute teacher in Math, English, and Science.  Over the last 10 years, I have shifted to long-term teaching, where I take over the classroom teacher’s responsibilities for an extended period of time.  This includes lesson planning, meetings with grade level teachers, parent conferences and report cards.  Teaching is like traveling through a book.  My students are tomorrow's generation, my words have an impact on their lives and their thinking, and I want to help build a kind, compassionate and informed next generation.  It’s so special when kids I taught in elementary school come up to me later in life and say they have positive memories of my teaching.  I believe kids don't like certain subjects because they cannot understand them, but I want to make learning fun, engaging and meaningful to inspire a love of learning.  I had some fantastic teachers who motivated me during my school years and like them, I love giving back through teaching.

Rashida Badri (Fremont, CA)
Substitute Teacher - Fremont Unified School District

I have teaching credentials from India and used to teach in Mumbai schools for several years before I immigrated to the United States.  I wasn’t able to get my full-time teaching credentials in the US due to other obligations but my passion for teaching didn’t die.  I always wanted to make a difference in kids’ lives and inspire them beyond just academic achievement - to see their smiles and excitement when they learn something new.  So I started out by tutoring at an institution in Fremont for many years.  As the years passed and my own kids got older, I chose to start giving back by substitute teaching for Fremont Unified.  Going back to the classroom with kids was a dream come true.  I always wanted to make a difference in a child’s life so they remember me for a lifetime, long after school is over.  I’m still fairly new to substitute teaching, learning each day from the children - constantly improving my own skills and striving to create the best learning environment possible.

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Teachers and educators - thanks for all that you do!