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Mayada Ghanim

Mayada Ghanim

Mayada is a science teacher at EGGS, with a strong interest in particle physics. She attended the The International Teacher Weeks (ITW) Programme at CERN in Switzerland last year.

The ITW residential programme at CERN took place between 5-18 August 2018. It was open to high school science teachers from around the world who wanted to update their knowledge of particle physics, its associated technologies, and related subjects in a group of science teachers of different nationalities.

Mayada attended the programme and was joined by 45 other teachers from 35 countries across the globe. Lectures, on-site visits, exhibitions, Q&A-sessions and hands-on workshops introduced participants into cutting-edge particle physics. During the 2 weeks, all teachers collaborated in several study groups on various topics related to particle physics and its integration into the classroom.

Mayada says "the programme was an eye opener to the latest developments in engineering and all aspects of science."

The ITW programme was an eye opener to the latest developments in engineering and all aspects of science. ^”

Mayada Ghanim

Mayada was born in Basrah, Iraq in 1959 and completed her Bachelor of Science degree specialising in Physics with Honours from the University of Baghdad in 1980. She was appointed to work as an Assistant Physicist and then an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Physics for the University of Baghdad for 16 years. During this time, she completed her Masters in Physics on the “Atmospheric effects on Laser transmission in the atmosphere”.

In 1996, Mayada migrated to New Zealand with her husband and two sons and has been living in here ever since. Training as a high school teacher at Auckland University, she completed her teaching diploma in 1998 and in the same year, she got her first secondary teaching job at Corran School for girls. In 2010, she began teaching at Epsom Girls Grammar School. Mayada believes that being able to inspire students to have an interest and understanding in a subject is what makes teaching so rewarding.

I love the interaction I have with my students especially when I feel that they are interested in Science and want to extend their knowledge. ^”

Mayada Ghanim

What inspired you to become a teacher?

The enjoyment I get from teaching and learning and the joy I get from knowing that my students have developed an interest and understanding of the subject, is what inspired me to become a teacher.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Being a wife, mother and teacher requires that I start my day early. I think of what has to be done at home and at work and get organised. Time at school will be spent teaching, attending professional development sessions and helping students that need extra support. I also run the CREST (Creativity in Science and Technology program) linked with science fair which takes some lunchtimes and after-school time. A lot of my free time at school and home will be spent on searching for new resources to use and share with the students. I usually walk my dog after school and have some family time watching Netflix documentaries or movies.

What do you love most about your job?

I love the interaction I have with my students especially when I feel that they are interested in Science and want to extend their knowledge.

What do you work toward in your free time?

I find and share resources with students and also check their progress.

I have developed a strong interest in particle physics especially since I attended the International Teacher Weeks (ITW) Programme at CERN in Switzerland, in August 2018. I usually spend time going through the resources and latest research findings on the CERN website.

What advice would you give to your past self when you were a student?

Do not focus on one aspect of life (e.g. reading and study). Get more involved in whatever else is offered at the time especially sport.

What advice do you have for current students?

Follow your passion and work hard towards your goals but at the same time be resilient towards what you come across in life. The key to success is perseverance in every aspect of life.