Amara Alghonaym has taught English for three years, bringing her expertise and enthusiasm to Granite Hills High School.
With degrees from UC Davis in Psychology and gaining a minor in Spanish, Education, and East Asian Studies, Alghonaym is deeply rooted in education.
Alghonaym was born and raised in Porterville where she balances her personal and professional lives.
Outside the classroom, Alghonaym enjoys working out, reading books, and watching anime which helps her stay energized. She is an avid fan of One Piece and Kpop, drawing inspiration from a variety of artists and singers.
Alghonaym also loves to travel. Every summer, she tries to go to a place she has never been to before. This summer, she plans on making her way to Australia.
When it comes to balancing work and personal life, Alghonaym says that she leaves her work at Granite Hills, and takes the weekend to relax, enjoying the company of friends and family.
Alghonaym chose to become a teacher because she enjoyed reading literature in college and wanted to share that enjoyment with others which was a decision that has shaped her life ever since. She also wanted to help students discover their potential, grow in confidence, and develop a love for learning.
The most rewarding part of teaching for her is getting to know students and learning about their interests, something she experiences every day in the classroom.
Over the years, she’s had memorable moments, such as having a student read a book that she recommended and having conversations about the book with her student. Meeting new students and getting to know their interests is also memorable for her.
Teaching always comes with challenges and Alghonaym has faced several of them. She overcomes them by relying on her family.
“They support me emotionally when I’m feeling overwhelmed and encourage me when I start to doubt myself,” Alghonaym said. “Whether it’s my parents helping me stay motivated, or one of my siblings making me laugh when I need a break, my family plays a big role in helping me push through difficult times.”
What sets her teaching apart is connecting her subject matter with students’ interests. Alghonaym always tries her best to show students that they matter and have someone who may have similar interests to them.
Alghonaym hopes that students walk away from her class with an understanding of how to write and break apart texts. She likes to make sure that students understand what they are learning or what is going on in the classroom.
Building relationships with students is key for her, and she does this by asking students what their interests are and being engaged with what students share. Alghonaym is a teacher you can get along with quickly. She won’t ever make you feel like you don’t matter. She will be there for you and share interests.
She also offers plenty of advice to her students.
“Balance is everything,” she said. “School is important, but so are hobbies, rest, and spending time with loved ones.”
When facing challenges with students, Alghonaym believes in asking students what they are facing to provide the best advice to help them. She likes to make sure her students are doing okay and tries her best to take care of them.
Alghonaym describes her teaching philosophy as, “I believe that students must actively participate, and take responsibility for their learning,” which guides everything she does in the classroom.
Looking ahead, she has strong opinions about the future of education, saying that there will be less focus on memorization in the classroom and more emphasis on critical thinking and creativity.
For aspiring teachers, Alghonaym advises finding a job in the classroom to have an idea of what the future looks like.
In the next few years, Alghonaym aims to complete her Master’s Degree in English, pushing herself to keep learning and growing, and maybe even one day become a school counselor.
“Education isn’t just about teaching facts, it’s about inspiring curiosity, empowering minds, and shaping a future where every student has the chance to thrive,” Alghonaym said.
