NEW TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: Sabriyya

We welcome all of our new teachers to the PVS community by profiling a new teacher in the newsletter. This month, we are featuring Ms. Sabriyya Shaw, the 4th - 6th grade Islamic Studies teacher.

Give us an introduction. Tell us about yourself!

• Salam Alaykum PVS! My name is Sabriyya Shaw, and I’m a first year full-time teacher here at the school! I’ve lived in Memphis most of my life, Alhamdulillah, and have been blessed to be involved in the community in several capacities. I’ve been blessed to be involved with youth work and Muslim organizations both locally and nationally for the past few years, and it’s something I’m really passionate about! I studied Psychology and Child Development in college, and I also spent a year away in a full time Islamic Studies intensive. I’m also currently working towards a Masters degree in Islamic Chaplaincy insha’Allah!

How did you come to teach at PVS? What position do you currently have here in the school?

• Alhamdulillah I’ve had a long time connection with PVS. I worked in the after-school programs and volunteered at the school a lot when I was in college. I left the city for a year for Islamic studies, and coming back to Memphis and PVS feels almost like a reunion! I’m currently teaching Islamic studies and am a TA for Quran for 4th-6th grade.

So far, how has your experience been here? If you could name one thing, what is your favorite thing about PVS?

• So far, my experience at PVS has been a journey of growth. Learning all of my students' interests, personalities, and the best way to connect with them has taught me to stretch myself and adapt to be able to teach all of my students. I love how excited the students are about striving to follow the Prophet and be the best Muslims they can be! It’s so refreshing to be in an environment of learning for the sake of Allah.

What are your hopes for your journey as a teacher at PVS?

• Some of my hopes for this new journey are to make genuine connections with the students and to be a positive influence in the development of the next generation. My passion is specifically in the development of young Muslim women and helping Muslim girls connect to their faith and themselves. I think there is so much untapped potential in our youth, and often, it goes unrecognized by even the youth themselves. I believe the role of a teacher is to help students learn more about themselves and how they can be the best Believer and person they can be! If Allah allows, I hope to help at least one student recognize who they can become during my time here.

We would love to learn more about you! Is there anything interesting you would like the PVS student and parent body to know about you?

• An interesting fact about me is that I’m a big coffee and tea lover, and one of my favorite things to do is travel to different cities and check out their coffee shops!