Mrs. Abuelaileh: Sudoku enthusiast and supernerd
By Kadence Morris
Mrs. Abuelaileh is an Intermediate Algebra and Algebra I teacher who displays kindness and compassion for all of those around her. She comes back this school year for her 3rd year of teaching but her 12th year at Owasso. She had previously worked as a lunch lady and then for many years as a teacher's assistant, but before all that, she studied architecture.
Shortly after going to college for architecture, Mrs. Abuelaileh became a mom, and her whole world changed. She had discovered a new passion, new purpose and a new reason to teach.
“It wasn’t before I became a mom that I discovered my love for teaching!” she said excitedly.
After her children were born, Mrs. Abuelaileh changed her life's course and became a math teacher. Her love for children and motherhood helped her to find her passion for learning and teaching.
While passionate about math, Mrs. Abuelaileh is all about who you are as a person rather than your ability to do math; she’s what you would describe as a “mom teacher,”-- someone you can talk to and feel safe within the classroom.
Her classroom displays her kind and caring personality. Couches, bright colors, string lights and fuzzy pillows flow through her room. Everything is organized but still has a little touch of Abuelaileh to it.
“It’s like a tricked-out study hall, lots of seating, colorful and comfortable,” she said as she spun in her chair, “but it’s not chaotic.”
She has a genuine love for learning and takes her job seriously; she has something planned to fit everybody's needs and is the type to make sure every student learns, even if that means reteaching a lesson two million times.
When asked what her favorite subject was, she hesitated.
“I’m a total nerd…duh, it’s math,” she laughed, “I know, it’s so sad, but I love it!”
With her true love for math, she also loves math history. Every week she features a new mathematician and goes over them, tying what they brought into the world of math into that week's lesson. Mrs. Abuelaileh values diversity and inclusivity in her classroom, so she makes it a priority to feature mathematicians who are women, people of color, or part of the LGBTQ+ community.
An inspiration and a one-of-a-kind teacher, Mrs. Abuelaileh decided that even math teachers need class pets, so she brought in a fish and a snail. With the fish, Spiderman, and the snail, unnamed, Mrs. Abuelaileh’s classroom becomes more and more welcoming by the minute.
Although a little wacky, Mrs. Abuelaileh teaches with a growth mindset. Past students are always coming to visit her, and kids love to eat lunch in her room.
“She’s good, great even! She’s the best teacher out there,” Kai, a former student said as he dropped by Mrs. Abuelailehs’ classroom, “and it’s really easy to catch onto what she’s teaching.”
Mrs. Abuelaileh welcomed every student that walked into her classroom with a smile and a hug. She stays in touch with many of her past students.
“My biggest thing is students will leave the classroom, but they don’t leave me. I’ll always be here for you, and I’ll always be your teacher,” she said, ending with a smile.
Mrs. Abuelaileh taking a selfie in front of her desk