Volunteers In Education Spotlight: Mohammad Nasrat
In honour of National Volunteer Week, we are highlighting some of our outstanding volunteers, who make us proud with their dedication to supporting Ottawa’s K-12 students. Today’s feature is on Mohammad Nasrat, a volunteer at Carson Grove Elementary School. Originally from Afghanistan, Mohammad Rasool Nasrat graduated with a Bachelor of Education from Kandahar University in Afghanistan. He has a Master of Education from the department of Institute of Advanced Studies in Education (IASE) from Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi India, and in his free time he likes to work out and walk. He has lived in Ottawa with his wife and kids since May 2022.
“Mohammad has been and continues to be an immense support to the English Literacy Development (ELD) students at Carson Grove E.S. and arrives every day with a big smile. The students adore him as he encourages every student to do their best and helps the Pashto-speaking students understand academic concepts in their first language. I also really appreciate his guidance as he interprets information the students share when they face language limitations. Furthermore, he provides context about the education system in the Middle East, which has helped me better understand some of the behaviour trends and information that the students have described about their personal experiences. I am equally impressed with Mohammad’s dedication to combining his experience as an educator in Afghanistan with the methods commonly used here in Ontario. He is motivated, passionate and deeply reflective on his professional practice. This includes asking to meet with me after school occasionally to learn about the local curriculum, review instructional materials and take a look at the formal and informal assessment processes. This makes him a strong educator as well as an amazing volunteer. He has shared with me another project he is working on to create Math videos in Pashto to support students who have limited access to instruction in their home language. From an ESL perspective, this project will make a world of difference as once a skill is learned without the language barriers, students can more comfortably transfer that skill over to an English or French-speaking classroom. Mohammad is a big part of our learning community, and he really shows a tireless dedication to supporting young learners.”
– Teacher, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)
What made you decide to volunteer with the Ottawa Network for Education’s VIE program?
When I was looking for a job, the employer was asking me about my Canadian experience, as I was new in Canada so I have decided to find a volunteer job to have Canadian experience and prepare for the job. In a job fair I have visited ONFE representative and I have joined my volunteering job.
When you were in school, who was your favourite teacher and why?
Not from my school days, but my favourite teacher at Carson Grove ES is Ms. Jenny Lyn Usher, I have learned many types of teaching methods preparing lesson plans.
How do you balance your volunteer work with your personal and/or professional life?
I am a student of the Cyber Security Specialist program, and my program is asynchronous, two days in a week I am attending my volunteering job which doesn’t have any effect on my personal life and study.
What unexpected lessons have you learned through your volunteer experiences?
During my volunteering job, I have learned more about the OCDSB school curriculum and subject/topic-related class activities for the students.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering but feels hesitant?
School students need to know about their society people’s experience, those who have time it is better to share their experience with the new generation, and it will help with the students in both their learning process and their personal life.
It has been a truly rewarding experience, and I appreciate the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students in Ottawa.
