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My name is Alefiyah (also known as Ms. L), and I teach 8th grade Math at Roots International Academy, a middle school in East Oakland, California. We are privileged to serve a diverse population of Oakland students and families. We raise our 40 international flags high throughout our hallways to represent the various backgrounds and histories that our students come from. In our classroom, we are committed to supporting students in reflecting on their personal identity and heritage--all because we believe that knowing where we come from grounds us in our goals for the future.
As a Muslim woman, I experienced the complexities of living in America as daughter of immigrant parents and a believer of Islam. As a teacher, I am committed to supporting all my students through their personal journeys. After witnessing some of the bullying of my Muslim students and allies at my school, I decided to start a Muslim Student Alliance in hopes of creating a safe space for them to come together as a community. I hope the MSA will support my students as they navigate the anti-Muslim rhetoric that pervades our society and our schools, and I hope to empower them with the tools to fight for equity and justice.
Currently, there are 14 students involved in the MSA who meet with me on a weekly basis during lunch, and I'm looking forward to growing this community in the years to come. Using curriculum from Teaching for Tolerance and other educational sites, I facilitate activities to reduce prejudice and support equitable school experiences for my children.
Due to budget constraints, there is currently no funding available for our MSA. I am hoping to use the funding to provide them with healthy, halal food for lunch, take them on field trips to Islamic exhibits at local museums such as the Museum of Tolerance, and engage in some professional development around anti-bias rhetoric.
This is a new endeavor for me as an educator and Muslim, but I am very hopeful about the positive impact this organization can have on my students and our greater school community. Please support me in elevating the voices of our Muslim youth. My students and I are truly grateful. #ThankATeacher
As a Muslim woman, I experienced the complexities of living in America as daughter of immigrant parents and a believer of Islam. As a teacher, I am committed to supporting all my students through their personal journeys. After witnessing some of the bullying of my Muslim students and allies at my school, I decided to start a Muslim Student Alliance in hopes of creating a safe space for them to come together as a community. I hope the MSA will support my students as they navigate the anti-Muslim rhetoric that pervades our society and our schools, and I hope to empower them with the tools to fight for equity and justice.
Currently, there are 14 students involved in the MSA who meet with me on a weekly basis during lunch, and I'm looking forward to growing this community in the years to come. Using curriculum from Teaching for Tolerance and other educational sites, I facilitate activities to reduce prejudice and support equitable school experiences for my children.
Due to budget constraints, there is currently no funding available for our MSA. I am hoping to use the funding to provide them with healthy, halal food for lunch, take them on field trips to Islamic exhibits at local museums such as the Museum of Tolerance, and engage in some professional development around anti-bias rhetoric.
This is a new endeavor for me as an educator and Muslim, but I am very hopeful about the positive impact this organization can have on my students and our greater school community. Please support me in elevating the voices of our Muslim youth. My students and I are truly grateful. #ThankATeacher