MAT Masters Teaching Personal Statement Afghanistan

Aspiring educators discuss innovative teaching strategies with a captivated classroom, inspired by educational experiences in Afghanistan.

The journey that led me to pursue a graduate-level teaching program is a remarkable story of strength, courage, and resilience in the face of significant adversity. On August 8th, 1978, the Soviet Union invaded my homeland, Afghanistan. As the 40th Soviet Army was deployed, we hoped for a return to normalcy, but the Soviet occupation intensified with extreme violence and arbitrary incarcerations, with no immediate end in sight. We held out as long as we could, but it soon became clear that my family and I had to flee. It was winter, and our only escape route was through narrow and treacherous mountain passes on horseback, carrying all we could and wearing only the clothes on our backs, leaving behind our home, property, and belongings—everything we had ever known.

Educators gather in front of a classroom in Afghanistan, engaging in a collaborative workshop on crafting personal statements, set against a backdrop of complex mathematical diagrams on a chalkboard.

On one side, Soviet mortar shells were detonating dangerously near, and on the other, there was the unknown. We succeeded in fleeing to Pakistan, where we spent a year in a refugee camp before being allowed to move to the United States, where I would begin middle school. Arriving in America presented its own challenges. In middle school, I faced racism and discrimination from those who were uninformed. To me, their thoughtless words were just background noise. I knew I was safe and no longer had to worry about which family member might be imprisoned for political reasons or killed next.

Educators engage with students on the process of writing personal statements, against a backdrop of mathematical concepts, fostering skills for future opportunities in Afghanistan.

I come from a family of engineers and followed them by earning a BS in Architectural Engineering. My true passion, however, has always been teaching. During college, I was fortunate to work as an assistant to a Mathematics professor. Although I attended engineering school and both enjoyed and excelled in the field—contributing to the design and construction of highways and airports—I always believed I would find greater fulfillment as an educator. The missing piece in my life became clear when I took a break from my career after having children.

I started tutoring my daughter at home, focusing on Algebra I and II through the Georgia Virtual Academy, a two-year curriculum. This experience introduced me to various classroom strategies and teaching principles. Over time, as my children attended school, I volunteered at their schools, observing and engaging in the classroom setting. Now that my youngest child has entered Pre-K, I can pursue a professional career and fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a Mathematics teacher. With a solid engineering background, outstanding achievements in advanced college mathematics, and a passion for teaching, I possess the necessary qualities to excel as a mathematics educator.

Every student deserves the highest quality education, and I am dedicating my life to a career in teaching. My ambitions and determination will guide me toward obtaining a doctoral degree and securing a teaching role at a respected institution, allowing me to influence and shape the educational framework of my community.

 Thank you for reviewing my application.

MAT master's in teaching personal Statement Afghanistan