When new teacher Amani Taleb thinks of her students, the first word that comes to her mind is joy.
Amani Taleb grew up in Houston after immigrating with her family from Syria when she was just seven years old. She was inspired to attend The University of Texas at Austin by her older brother, who studied computer science. Although Taleb, who looked up to her brother, initially pursued computer science as well, she realized it wasn’t the right fit for her. Instead, she decided to follow her childhood dream of becoming a teacher.
I wanted something that I could see myself doing for the rest of my life, and I knew that was teaching,
she said. I set my sights on education and haven’t looked back since.
Future Longhorn Teacher
As a student in the College of Education, Taleb studied early childhood through 6th grade education. She will earn her bachelor’s degree in Applied Learning and Development in December upon receiving her official Longhorn pin, a time-honored tradition at the college that honors graduating teachers as they become educators.
My time at the College of Education has shaped my teaching career by emphasizing that effective teaching begins with understanding your students and by valuing their backgrounds, experiences, languages and everything they bring into our classrooms,
Taleb said. Going back to this belief has helped me navigate through many problems and heavily influenced how I make decisions in the classroom.
Creating Her Own Space
At the start of her student teaching, one of Taleb’s biggest challenges was classroom management. Through self-reflection, she learned to redirect her focus and energy toward building meaningful relationships with students, making sure each one felt valued and respected.
As a result, she noticed her students becoming more motivated to meet expectations and follow daily classroom routines. Taleb also strives to make her classroom a warm and welcoming space, one that reflects her students through their artwork, family photos and diverse books that celebrate who they are.
Her strong support network of her family, her fiancé and mentors has guided her throughout her education journey – both the good days and the bad – even as her mother faced her own struggles.
During my student teaching semester, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and has been in the hospital fighting her battle with it since,
Taleb said. Despite all that she is going through, she continues to push and encourage me, and she still has yet to complain about hearing a play-by-play of my day every evening.
I can confidently say I would not be where I am today without them.
Taleb will substitute teach in Houston while she helps her mother in her recovery. She plans to pursue her career in teaching in Arizona next fall.
