Rashmina Ibrahim | Early Years Teacher
Today, as I entered school, I noticed the art teachers busy setting up the arena. I initially brushed it off as standard assembly decor or perhaps an upcoming event for the senior section, so I headed straight to my desk to tackle my usual pre-lesson prep. I expected nothing more than a routine day of marking and lessons, moving through my task list with my usual focus.
However, as the saying goes, “Sometimes the most beautiful lessons aren’t the ones we plan in our diaries, but the surprises that remind us we are valued beyond the classroom.“
The morning took a delightful turn when a message was sent out for all of us to 
gather In the front grounds for a brief meeting. As my colleagues and I approached the area, I realized our School Heads, Ms. Sumairah Naveed and Ms. Almas Naeem, were preparing a surprise for the entire staff. What started as an ordinary morning blossomed into a beautiful celebration of International Women’s Day and the upcoming Eid.
It was such a joy to see everyone receiving a special token of appreciation. I felt incredibly lucky to find my favorite color bangles that matched my Eid dress perfectly—it felt like a little miracle to find my exact size, 2 inches, in the mix! We also received the loveliest mehndi; both items had been personally selected by Ms. Sumairah during her recent visit to Lahore. The arena suddenly came alive with laughter as we picked out our favorites and posed for pictures, capturing beautiful memories with friends and teammates.
The event concluded with a heartfelt message from Ms. Sumairah. She reminded us of our shared importance and spoke so kindly about the grace with which we balance our professional duties and our lives at home. It was a truly wonderful day that transformed a standard school routine into a celebration of the dedication, grace, and hard work of the amazing women I am lucky enough to call my colleagues.
