Eighteen years ago, on a beautiful bright morning, my journey at Delhi Private School, Sharjah began with confidence and a heart full of love and hope.
Each day, I stepped into my classroom with the same simple promise – to teach with a smile. Fourteen of those years were spent in KG1, gently holding tiny hands as children took their very first steps into school life. The next four years were in KG2, preparing them to spread their wings a little wider before flying into primary school.
Teaching little children is not just about alphabets and numbers. It is about tying shoelaces, wiping tears, celebrating tiny victories, and clapping for every small achievement. In KG1, I grew more confident and also served as Grade Representative for four years. It became my comfort home. Yet, there was a reassuring voice within me that said, “You can do it!”
In KG2, I loved being their cheerleader – guiding them to read their first sentences, write their first stories, and, most importantly, believe in themselves.
Our classroom has always been filled with laughter, colourful charts, tiny backpacks, curious questions, and warm hugs. There were handmade drawings, little cards saying “I love you, Alefiya Ma’am,” and countless unexpected moments that filled my heart. It was never just about teaching lessons – it was about building confidence, kindness, and courage.
Years passed, and those tiny five-year-olds grew taller, stronger, and wiser. One of the greatest joys of my journey has been meeting them again — no longer in uniforms with Velcro shoes, but as confident young adults. Some return to visit, standing at my classroom door and asking shyly, “Ma’am, do you remember me?” Others stay connected through Instagram, sharing glimpses of their achievements and milestones.
Among them are Head Girls and Head Boys – confident leaders who now stand proudly on school stages, delivering speeches and guiding their peers. Watching them wear their badges of responsibility fills my heart with indescribable pride. I see in them the same spark once nurtured during circle time and story sessions.
What makes this journey even more meaningful is that many of these students still remain in touch – sending warm wishes on Teachers’ Day, sharing graduation photos, and thanking me for believing in them when they were just little children learning to hold a pencil. For a teacher, there is no greater reward than knowing the seeds planted years ago have blossomed so beautifully.
Eighteen years.
Thousands of smiles.
Countless sweet memories.
This beautiful journey proves that teaching is not just a profession — it is a lifelong bond. The little hands I once guided have grown into capable leaders, yet they still remember the teacher who greeted them each morning with warmth and a smile.
And tomorrow, I will walk into my classroom again, ready to welcome another group of tiny learners – because within every small child stands a strong future leader, waiting to shine.
By Alefiya Abbas Mukadam- Class Teacher- KG 2
