WHY: With Haya & Yousra

In this episode, Haya and Yousra bring the listener’s attention to the complexity of the human personality, and the idea that we’re never really defined by one thing. As human beings, we often label ourselves and others and we try to fit everyone in a specific box; this is done consciously and subconsciously.But as a consequence, people feel anxious leaving that box/label. The hosts encourage their listeners to change whichever aspect of their lives they desire to; it is never too late. Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

In this episode, Haya and Yousra hand the mic to the listeners. The episode is a collection of stories from listeners; things that deeply impacted them as students.It is a reminder that instances with teachers and school shape our personalities and ways of thinking.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

Haya and Yousra continue the discussion of the importance of reflection, reminding the listener that the impact of events from childhood often stays with us into adulthood. Focusing this time on setting high expectations for children; setting these expectations is an essential part of building the child’s confidence. The hosts discuss the moment setting expectations goes from positive encouragement to pressuring children.  Joined by a special guest, Moza, the hosts explore the imaginary line that separates high and too high expectations calling to raise awareness as this commonly leads to burnout and unrealistic images of self in adulthood.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

In this episode, the hosts explain the difference between being neurotypical and neurodivergent, and how being neurodivergent entails certain struggles. The discussion of these hidden struggles and accommodations/adjustments necessary is held with the input of someone who is neurodivergent. The hosts and their guest make a point that having a neurodivergent brain is not something that is bad, but it is simply different. Neurodivergent people should not be struggling in silence trying to fit in a neurotypical world. Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

This episode is a collection of stories told by a group of inspirational teachers. Take from it what you like; may it be an epiphany,  inspiration, or even nostalgia.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

Haya and Yousra start season 3 by discussing the importance of accepting people and their differences. In order to exist harmoniously with others, one must bridge the gap between themselves and others. In other words, find common ground with people we must deal with regularly. In this episode, the hosts share their experiences and what they believe to be the “keys of communication”.Finding connections with others does not mean erasing your personality, but actually extending it to make the distance between you two smaller.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

To conclude the season, Haya and Yousra revisit the topic of impact. This time, they are joined with the stories and experience of Khalid Yassin, a passionate teacher who chose to change his career. The episode centers around Khalid’s decision to leave teaching, which he was passionate about, to have a bigger impact. Leading as an example, he reminds the listener that one does not need to be in the classroom to have an impact in education.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

As the discussion about educational trauma from season 1 continues, the hosts remind the listener that the wounds created by teachers stay within the child until they are adults. Joined this time by Amina Al-Jailey, an English teacher who has been through educational trauma, Haya and Yousra discuss the wounds left by this trauma, and how one can heal their inner child.Teaching allows for reflection as things often repeat themselves; however, being in a position of power now changes everything. Haya, Yousra, and Amina discuss the active decisions they took to break the cycle.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

In this episode, Haya and Yousra discuss the system of education and why the discourse surrounding it is often similar regardless of where the schooling is.The hosts are joined in this episode by Shiraz Lafhaj, an educator who taught in different countries and schools. The discussion explains the similarities and differences in these places; it is centered around explaining why these transnational similarities occur. The question to ask is: “what is the underlying reason behind the student experience being similar everywhere?” Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

In this episode, the voice of discussion changes; it shifts from being a conversation between only educators to one that includes a parent. With the input of Um Khalifa, a conversation of broad learning is set. The hosts and Um Khalifa make a point that home is the first and most influential teacher. A child’s family plays the biggest role in shaping their educational journey as education starts at home; the teacher and the guardian are to be held accountable for the learning process of the child.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

This episode revolves around the topic of STEM and its relationship to Arts. In this episode, the hosts discuss the connection between the two with the help of Ahmad Almansoor, an engineer turned teacher. The conversation explains what stereotypes encompass STEM and Arts, and why it is important to dismantle that.The episode tackles the idea that STEM and Arts cannot stand alone and that they integrate more than we often perceive; it’s important to allow children to explore both as they do not exist separately in the real world. Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

In this episode, Haya and Yousra start the season by discussing emotions and their significance in teaching. Through the discussion, the hosts explain the necessity of allowing one-self to feel vulnerability and every other emotion regardless of any negative connotation it may hold; this is an important part of leadership.Hend Al-Muftah, a middle-school English teacher, joins the discussion and explains the difficulty of balancing between vulnerability and discipline. Children are led by example, and that is why it is important to showcase the full range of emotions when teaching them how to express themselves.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

This episode is the last in season 1 of WHY: With Haya & Yousra. It concludes everything discussed in the season while taking a different approach. This episode doesn’t include generalities, but specifics; the hosts discuss their own experiences, and what emotions overtook their years of teaching. It is a collection of stories and recollections that describe Ms. Haya and Ms. Yousra. Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

As the discussion of educational traumas continues, the hosts discuss the results of them; for example, rebellion, perfectionism, self-doubt, and very real psychological issues like anxiety or even depression. The wounds created by teachers stay decades within students - even if they don’t fully realize it.This episode also acts as a comforting voice to the listener that they weren’t alone. It is the closure many students never, and will never, have.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

In this episode, Haya and Yousra discuss systemic and continuous practices that create educational trauma. They discuss the anxiety, stresses and pressures put on students and their impact. Some examples are underestimation, humiliation, and the abused authority.Because the topic is divided into two, this episode only holds a few of the traumas that the hosts faced and were triggered by in their teaching experience. They also discuss what actions they took to break the cycle in hopes to protect their students.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

In this episode, Haya and Yousra bring the listener’s attention to the different types of students within the classroom, and why their differences matter. The episode concludes with the idea that students can’t be coerced into changing, and they shouldn’t be; however, discipline can always be achieved. The hosts make the point that students, just like adults, deserve their differences to be respected. If they aren’t, they rarely forget it.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

This episode revolves around the topic of creativity and how limited it actually is within the context of the classroom. In this episode, the hosts discuss the direct link between teachers’ creativity and their students’. The hosts also question what happens to the students’ creative and critical thinking between grades 5 and 8.The discussion also addresses everyone’s responsibilities in facilitating safe environments for kids to express themselves creatively. Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

An introductory episode to the podcast; it introduces Haya and Yousra, why they became teachers, and why anyone should be interested in teaching. It also acts as a teaser to the upcoming episodes. This episode goes deeper than teaching strategies or whiteboards and markers; it rather focuses on the teacher-student relationship and how it affects learning. Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

While attending WISE, a global summit of Qatar Foundation for education, Haya and Yousra host a few interviews with some of WISE’s participants.In 2 short episodes, guests from different countries, backgrounds, majors, and initiatives speak on a common topic they’re all passionate about, Education.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast

While attending WISE, a global summit of Qatar Foundation for education, Haya and Yousra host a few interviews with some of WISE’s participants.In 2 short episodes, guests from different countries, backgrounds, majors, and initiatives speak on a common topic they’re all passionate about, Education.Share your thoughts with us on Instagram: @whythepodcast