After receiving an undergraduate degree in accounting, what inspires someone to receive a master’s in education? For Jowan Nabha, it was when she became a mother.

“My three daughters are my inspiration for much of what I do,” she said. “I started volunteering in the classroom when my girls first started school.”

In addition to parenting and managing her studies, Nabha also serves as a supplemental instructor for the Science for Elementary Teacher course. For her, having experience in several areas of education has been vital to enhancing her leadership skills.

Education Associate Professor Danielle DeFauw says Nabha is a highly impressive and thoughtful leader, noting that she has been a guest blogger for the TeachWrite Blog and is seeking publication for an article she wrote, Patriarchal Norms & Gender/Spousal Influence How Arab Families View Domestic Violence.

“Jowan is a dedicated educator,” she said. “A dedicated teacher-writer, she has chosen to ensure her experiences are shared. She values her voice, which she uses to advocate for others.”

As a nontraditional student, Nabha believes that building connections and cultivating mentor-like relationships with her younger classmates is a clear example of what it means to be an educator. When a student needs help, she wants to be an available resource. “It’s hard for me to say no to a fellow classmate in need, especially when I see them struggling in a course or just needing some extra advice,” she said.

Looking ahead, Nabha hopes to help on an even larger scale: Her future plans include teaching children across the world who have limited access to a strong education.