Primary school years are some of the most formative in a child’s life. The experience and lessons learned during this critical period are, according to Ahmed, the building blocks of our personalities. 

Empathy, respect and approaching students as individuals are the secrets to Ahmed’s success. His cohort of primary school boys, now count his art lessons as a highlight of the week. “I love teaching and I love interacting with children”, he said.

As a proud Mosuli, Ahmed believes divisions within society and in particular Mosul, can be prevented with the right start in life. In his experience, mutual suspicion between different groups can be prevented with equal treatment and empathy from day one. “The school has great importance for students, it gives them confidence and spirit, especially art lessons with painting, music and theatre.”

“When I walk into the classroom, the first thing I do is ‘hi-five’ the boys”, he said. “I never use loud noise or a stick, I treat them with respect, and it enhances their self-esteem.”

Approaching every student as an individual is important to Ahmed. He knows that some pupils respond in different ways. They may after all, have different living situations and personalities. “I believe children are like locks. Each student has a special key, it’s impossible to open several locks with one key.”

Ahmed’s approach isn’t limited to his teaching of art. He recalls one pupil who faced mockery from fellow pupils. The student, a young boy, was having treatment for cancer. He began to lose his hair. After being bullied by some of his classmates, the child dropped out. He no longer turned up for lessons because of the names he was called. 

This student was facing medical treatment for a serious condition, while suffering ridicule at school.  Ahmed knew he had to do something, anything, to remind the boy that he was indeed cared for. 

Ahmed decided to shave his head too. He hoped this would help the boy feel supported. A small gesture, but one that would serve as a constant reminder that his teacher was thinking of him. 

The student returned to his studies. Ahmed’s act of empathy proved infectious. The very next day, influenced by their teacher, three other students showed up to school with shaved heads in a show of support. His plan had worked, albeit a little too well.

This good deed was one of Ahmed’s proudest moments as a teacher. It’s one of the best parts of the job and he is convinced that his approach of treating the students with respect and patience pays off. “I want to treat children equally with no discrimination. This will reflect in their personality”, he reiterates. 

But the good deeds go in both directions. Taking pride in the role of teaching leaves its mark: “I have a lot of students who are now in secondary school. Recently, I was tagged in a social media post from former pupils saying I was their favourite teacher.”

Ahmed says that Mosul has changed since the liberation, he hears family names that don’t sound familiar now. But his greatest hope is that divides in his city between rich and poor, ethnicity or religion, can become a thing of the past. Of one thing he is certain: That journey begins in school.