Some of my earliest memories are of tagging along with my father as he used to teach music at some point of his life. The echoes of notes and the unique energy of a room full of learners—that feeling has always been a part of me, deepened by a family where my grandfather and aunt were also teachers of literature and kindergarten respectively.

Growing up in Tangier, Morocco where the bleu water of straightof Gibraltar where the Mediterranean and Atlantic cultures meet, a city where speaking three or four languages is the norm, I was immersed in a bilingual French-Arabic-Spanish-English school environment. This personal experience gave me a deep empathy for what many students face today. I understand that initial pressure a child feels when they need to learn and express complex ideas in a language that isn’t their mother tongue. It can briefly suppress their potential.

But I have also seen the incredible advantage that follows: they emerge with a more open mind, an ability to see the world from different perspectives, and a head start in a world where English is the language of everything from entertainment to artificial intelligence. (As we all know, even ChatGPT gives better answers in English!)

To be truthful, I never planned on becoming a teacher. My path was less of a straight line and more of a discovery. I had experiences as a private tutor and teaching in training centres, but I was still pursuing my own university studies. Then, a serendipitous opportunity arose last year: an internship at Stembridge. As soon as I started, I realized that if I ever needed a sign, this was it. I felt an excitement and a sense of purpose that was undeniable.

Perhaps that’s because I’ve always felt most myself when surrounded by the energy and honesty of children. As the big brother to my sister and brother, and one of the older cousins in a large family, I learned how to connect with a child on their level, with respect and without ever making them feel underestimated. It’s no wonder that one of my biggest dreams is to one day be a father.

This perspective shapes my entire approach as a mathematics teacher. My goal isn’t simply for my students to solve equations or calculate distances. It is for them to grasp the beautiful logic behind the numbers and see the applications of math all around us. I want to help them build a foundational understanding of mathematical concepts that will serve them far beyond exams, opening their minds to a broader world where they can unconsciously apply rational thinking to make better decisions in any situation they may face.

At school, we all learn. The student and the teacher often change places, and it is frequently the children who teach us the most important lessons. I look forward to the journey of learning and growing together with them this year.