Mrs. Iftikhar is a Chemistry and Conceptual Physics teacher at Aliso Niguel High School (ANHS). It is her first year teaching at ANHS, and she just moved to California in 2024.
She is from Chicago, Illinois and lived a large portion of her life in Dallas, Texas. She studied at the University of Texas for her undergraduate degree and her master’s degree.
She has her bachelor’s degree in biology and then later got her teaching degree for all sciences in the state of Texas.
Her degrees are specifically called Texas Science 7-12 and Science 4-8. She got her master’s degree in Health as well at the University of Texas.
She was part of a program called ETH, where students could get their STEM degree while getting a teaching certification. It was highly advertised to the students and it included the first two semesters for free.
The program teaches skills that teachers need as well as students learning the sciences that they would teach. Iftikhar tried out the program and decided that she really likes it, and that she likes working with kids.
When she first entered college, she did not know what career she wanted to pursue; the only thing that she knew was that she liked the sciences. So when she came across the program, it helped guide her into a profession that she actually enjoys.
She taught eighth-grade science in Texas from 2019 through 2021. Later, she taught tenth-grade Chemistry for three years in Texas as well as Integrated Physics and Chemistry. Currently she is teaching Chemistry and Conceptual Physics.
She taught at Jackson Technology Center of Math and Science in Garland, Texas. As well as Jackson Technology Center of Math and Science, she taught at Louisville Harmon High School, which is also located in the state of Texas.
She enjoys teaching chemistry because of how hands-on the course is. She likes to be able to interact with her students while she is teaching, because she says it makes it so much more enjoyable.
She also likes the fact that with chemistry, she can deep dive into one subject, whereas with eighth-grade science, she had to teach several different types of science.
When asked about what other subjects she has taught, she answered with,”It’s always been science. Every single time.”
Iftikhar has a deep love for the sciences and displays that into her teaching style. She has a passion for what she does which is why her classes are often regarded as entertaining and engaging.
Iftikhar has also taught summer school biology, which she also enjoyed because it is what she originally got her degree in, so it was enjoyable to revisit a science she does not have the opportunity to teach anymore.
She believes that students should always be able to ask questions and not be scared to ask for help.
She says, “Making mistakes is natural and it is all part of the learning process. You learn better with the mistakes you made than the things you got right the first time.”
Although Iftikhar is new to ANHS, she is a highly qualified teacher who truly enjoys her work, and tries her best to help her students succeed to their full potential.
