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El Houcin Houssam was all the time fascinated by arithmetic and thought he would take his quantity expertise into the monetary companies trade.
But it surely turned out it wasn’t the enterprise of numbers that fascinated him.
“I spotted that what really motivated me wasn’t working with numbers in a enterprise setting,” stated Houssam, a math instructor at West Facet Excessive Faculty in Newark. “It was serving to others perceive and recognize math.”
Now in his sixth yr of educating, Houssam has been named the 2024-25 Essex County Trainer of the Yr, cited for serving to his college students pursue careers in science, engineering, and math.
Houssam’s recognition was celebrated on Feb. 28 on the Montclair State College Faculty for Schooling and Engaged Studying’s annual Night of Gratitude Dinner. Along with educating Algebra 2 and AP Calculus AB, Houssam serves as an advisor for the college’s debate membership, the place he encourages college students to “embrace challenges” and construct empathy.
He not too long ago spoke with Chalkbeat in regards to the private finance lesson he loves to show, his personal expertise as an English language learner, and his recommendation for highschool debaters.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
What was your response to being named the 2024-25 Essex County Trainer of the Yr? What does this recognition imply to you?
It was a mixture of pleasure, gratitude, and a bit of disbelief. Educating is one thing I put my coronary heart into day-after-day, so to be acknowledged on this manner felt actually particular.
This recognition means rather a lot to me, not simply as a private achievement, however as a result of it highlights the arduous work of all lecturers who go above and past for his or her college students. It’s a reminder that the impression we make within the classroom is seen and valued. Greater than something, it motivates me to proceed rising as an educator and to make use of this platform to advocate for my college students and fellow lecturers.
How and when did you resolve to change into a instructor? What you about arithmetic?
I didn’t all the time know I wished to be a instructor. Actually, my journey into schooling wasn’t a straight path. I initially studied Arithmetic of Finance, pondering I might go into the monetary trade. However over time, I spotted that what really motivated me wasn’t working with numbers in a enterprise setting — it was serving to others perceive and recognize math.
The turning level got here once I began tutoring at Essex County Faculty. That’s the place I spotted the enjoyment and impression of serving to college students really perceive troublesome ideas. I noticed how a lot of a distinction I might make in somebody’s confidence and understanding. That’s once I determined to pursue educating and earned my Grasp of Arts in Educating.
Arithmetic has all the time fascinated me as a result of it’s like a common language. It’s logical, structured, and but, so inventive. I like how math connects to actual life, from the patterns in nature to the best way companies function. However what actually drew me in was the problem — there’s all the time an issue to unravel, and I take pleasure in guiding college students to seek out options in their very own manner.
What’s your favourite lesson to show and why?
Certainly one of my favourite classes to show is exponential features, particularly when exploring compound curiosity. I like this lesson as a result of it connects math to real-life conditions that college students can relate to, like saving cash, investing, and understanding how loans work.
It’s all the time rewarding to see college students notice how highly effective math is past the classroom. After they grasp how small investments can develop over time or how rates of interest have an effect on debt, it sparks curiosity and deeper discussions about monetary accountability. Plus, I take pleasure in exhibiting them that math isn’t nearly numbers — it’s about making knowledgeable selections that impression their future.
As the talk membership advisor, what recommendation do you have got on your college students?
As the talk membership advisor, my greatest recommendation to my college students is to all the time be ready, keep open-minded, and pay attention simply as a lot as they converse. A powerful debater isn’t simply somebody who argues effectively however somebody who understands completely different views and responds with logic, proof, and confidence.
I additionally encourage them to embrace challenges. Some debates will probably be powerful, and so they may need to argue a place they don’t personally agree with — that’s the place actual development occurs. It teaches important pondering, empathy, and the flexibility to adapt beneath strain.
Inform us about your personal expertise with faculty and the way it impacts your work in the present day.
As a scholar, I confronted challenges, particularly studying in a brand new language after shifting to the U.S. from Morocco. My native language is Arabic, and I additionally converse French. Studying English as my third language was undoubtedly a problem, but it surely additionally gave me a singular perspective on the struggles that many college students face when studying one thing new.
I do know what it’s wish to battle, to really feel misplaced, and to work arduous to catch up. However I additionally know the impression of nice lecturers — those that noticed my potential, believed in me, and pushed me to succeed.
That have drives me to be that form of instructor for my college students. I give attention to constructing relationships, making a supportive classroom, and making math accessible to all learners. I need my college students to know that challenges don’t outline them. Their effort, resilience, and willingness to be taught do.
What’s one thing taking place locally that impacts what goes on inside your classroom?
A lot of my college students face obstacles like meals insecurity, housing instability, and restricted entry to educational sources exterior of college, which impression their focus, attendance, and engagement in studying.
How do you handle your self whenever you’re not at work?
I handle myself by staying energetic and spending time open air. I like taking part in soccer and occurring hikes — it helps me clear my thoughts and keep energized. Touring can be a giant a part of my life as a result of it permits me to expertise new cultures and views, which I convey again into my educating.
Past that, I find time for household and buddies, which retains me grounded. Educating will be demanding, so I attempt to discover stability by doing issues that convey me pleasure and assist me recharge.
Catherine Carrera is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Newark. Contact Catherine at [email protected].
