Among the friendly faces in the building there is one in particular that tends to stand out to the students the most. Whether it be the fact that she was a student here herself or her helpful demeanor as a teacher, Aisha Harkho has left a mark on the school.
Originally, Harkho graduated from UACHS in 2017. However, while the time between
her as a student and returning as a teacher was short, everything is evidently different now that she is on the other side of things.
“One thing I loved about being a student was that it was very family oriented and everyone interacted on a daily basis,” said Harkho. “Today, I feel as though many students lack socialization skills. As a staff member I want students to enjoy their high school experience, but I also want them to be successful when it comes to academics.”
However, before her return, she expanded her education at NJCU studying various subjects and is looking forward to enhancing her education even more.
“Currently, I am a full time online student at Montclair State University pursuing a masters degree in Educational Leadership,” said Harkho. “However, I have a bachelors in Sociology and Anthropology, I also minored in psychology.”
After graduating from NJCU, her career kicked off and before she knew it, she was working at a private preschool, teaching toddlers. While she knew that being around kids and helping them in terms of academics was something she loved, she wanted to be closer to home.
In 2021, the time was right and she reached out to her former administrators, and within a few days landed a job right back home at UACHS.
“Ever since I have come back, I have had the opportunity to reconnect with former teachers as their coworker, and meet so many amazing students over the years,” said Harkho. “Outside of that, online classes have been convenient for me, as it allows me to work full-time while also taking care of my family.”
As Harkho’s time at UACHS continues, it is evident that she goes to a great extent to make sure that the students have a better experience than she did. While she may not be a full time teacher, with everything she does behind the scenes her presence in the building is appreciated.
