October Teacher Feature: Profe. Sheikh
Photo submitted by Sheikh.
October’s teacher feature is a school district veteran: Profe. Sheikh. She’s been in the district for 16 years and teaching for 18. She got her undergraduate degree from UW-LaCrosse, in both education and Spanish. She then attended the University of Illinois, getting a Master’s degree in Educational Policy Studies focused on Global Studies in Education. She’s been married for nine years—she and her husband have two kids and a dog. If she wasn’t teaching, she says she’d be a standup comedian: “My crowd work is impeccable!” Her favorite Spanish word is friolero—describing someone who is always cold.
Read on to learn more about this month’s Teacher Feature!
What got you interested in teaching?
I job-shadowed a lot of different people when I was in high school and my favorite experiences were the ones I did in different classrooms working with kids.
What would students be surprised to know about you?
I grew up on a farm in a very small rural town in Wisconsin.
Describe yourself in one sentence.
I’m an enigma.
What superpower would you like to have?
I’d like to be a mind-reader so I know everything!
What’s your claim to fame?
I have a great memory. I remember what people were wearing, what song was playing, credit card numbers, all of the contents in what looks like a messy pile of papers, and the exact location of items in my refrigerator.
What would your perfect room/classroom look like?
For the most part I like my classroom now. If I could make some changes I would make it bigger so we had more space to move around and add in some comfortable seating.
What movie would you recommend to your students?
Mad Max—the soundtrack of this movie is spectacular.
What is the best advice you have received?
Don’t expect more from others than you expect from yourself.
What Crayola Crayon color are you? (The more specific the better!)
Black—the absence of color.
Are there more wheels or more doors in the world?
Wheels.
Favorite book?
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
If you could only share one thing about Spanish and/or Latin culture, what would it be?
People in Spanish speaking countries are so friendly and the food is diverse and amazing.
If you won 100 million dollars what would you buy first?
A private jet so I can be permanently traveling.
What weapon would you carry during the Zombie Apocalypse?
A bullhorn…maybe the loud noise would distract them so I could get away?
Who would you team up with and why?
Dwight Schrute, he’s loyal and he’s unafraid to sow chaos.
What fictional character best represents you?
Eleanor Shellstrop from The Good Place. We have the same sense of humor.
What is your favorite TV show? Movie?
"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." — Michael Scott
The Office, the quotes applicable to everyday life are neverending.
What’s your favorite Spanish and/or Latin American food?
My favorite Spanish food is tortilla española but I also really love Fanta naranja and Fanta limón but only from Spain. My favorite Latin American food is arepas con queso.
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It’s completely full, half water and half air.
Who are your teacher besties?
The World Language teachers here and at TMS are the most amazing people to work with and they all make me laugh everyday.
