Parents offer us all types of advice as we are growing up. Ghandia Rhaman’s father motivated her to become a science teacher when she was a young girl growing up in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and there hasn’t been a time yet that she regrets making the career choice.

“These days it is hard to be a teacher,” said Rahman, who has taught now for 20 years. “But it is still my passion to teach students, even if they [students] don’t always pay attention right away.”

She added that it is her goal to help ensure that her students have a bright future. Rahman works hard to develop connections with her students and believes that this has made her more successful in the classroom.

“Being a strict teacher doesn’t always work,” said Rahman. “It is more important to talk with students that are being disrespectful.”

In her free time, Rahman enjoys cooking for her family. She also loves to travel and hopes to go to Disneyland soon with her family to make great memories.