Student Spectrums

In her tribute titled, ‘Beyond the Observed’, Dareen Elsaghir of 10th-grade talks about her literature teacher Irum Sarfaraz. Irum Sarfaraz teaches middle and high school ELA and ELC, and is the ELA Director at Ilm Academy.

Each and every individual possesses a trait that sets them apart from another, like a rose between shrubs. Whether it is the way they interact with others or their strategies towards challenges, each aspect and quality affects how they are perceived by others. In an arena of countless individuals possessing various attitudes, one particular person’s conduct consistently outshines the rest. This is the case with Khala Irum, whose demeanor seems exceptionally unique, and sometimes, confusing. 

Often feared by the ones who haven’t truly encountered her—whether it is due to her occasional gravely-daunting lectures or her almost-overwhelming expectations—Khala Irum undoubtedly possesses a mysterious personality that may be misunderstood by many. Though her outstanding teaching skills and obviously evident vehemence for literature may often “sugar-coat” the strength of her personality, those who attempt to converse or learn from her will understand the depth of her personality.

Understanding Khala Irum’s personality doesn’t necessarily require expertise—it requires critical thinking. Several of her attributes reveal the other side of her cold-perceived conduct, which includes her humor and sarcasm, which may seem like a hidden treasure that is difficult to find and understand. Her spontaneous jokes stand above all, including the ones that seem to require a joke-deciphering degree to truly grasp. What makes her humor stand out isn’t just her jokes, but the way she takes the “What’s funny?” question to a different level after witnessing the classroom’s laughter. It leaves the classroom cautious, however, each peer with the inextinguishable fear of having to write a ten-page critique on why they chose to laugh at her “unfunny” joke. 

Choosing to laugh at Khala Irum’s unmatchable puns isn’t necessarily the only “wrongdoing” that can lead to pages and—if unlucky—even novels of writing. The amount of writing varies, depending on the classroom’s magnitude of defiance. Other disaster-causing actions include breaching the rule of keeping the classroom’s door open when a teacher isn’t in the classroom—a controversial rule whose debate has reached the borders of the school blog.

Another crucial aspect about Khala Irum that leaves students “afraid of their own shadows” is her extensive and quite interesting methods of dealing with irresponsible students. Her actions do not fall below prohibiting students from wearing their shoes for an eight-hour school day, which strikingly contrasts with other teachers who may simply send a note home. However, though committing such actions may bury away one’s reputation, the case is outrightly different for Khala Irum. It is nothing short of expected. An individual mind-blown by her actions will most likely be told, “Come on, it’s Khala Irum”. 

Though Khala Irum’s classes call for a keen eye for literature, it is without doubt that her methods of teaching will allow students to improve in writing, even ones with no prior experience. Although she may seem intimidating at first glance, one will eventually conclude that she is everything but uncooperative.

In conclusion, Khala Irum’s wit and demeanor are nothing short of unique, yet also enigmatic at times. Perhaps it is the way she attempts to mask away her “bright side” but ultimately fails to, the jokes that she throws around, or her unwavering passion for teaching students. Whatever it may be, it is undeniable that a classroom with Khala Irum isn’t just a classroom—it’s a rollercoaster filled with unanticipated tests, laughter, and everything in between.