Fatemeh Badri

About Me

As far as I can remember, whenever someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always reply, "A teacher." Upon returning home from school, I would stand in the courtyard, transforming the walls into my makeshift classroom, explaining to my imaginary friends everything I had learned that day. After completing 12 years of formal education, one of my most valuable takeaways was the art of observation. I had spent countless hours intently watching and analyzing the teaching methods and behaviors of my own teachers. Graduating from university only solidified my resolve to become a teacher. I immersed myself in books and educational resources, eager to acquire the knowledge necessary to guide and inspire young learners. Throughout my academic journey, I was deeply troubled by the lack of emphasis on joy-based learning through exploration and discovery. This void within the traditional education system fueled my determination to create a classroom environment where children could experience the pure delight of learning. For the past eight years, I have dedicated myself to the field of children's literature and education. My teaching journey began four years ago, primarily instructing first graders. However, I have also had the privilege of teaching Persian and mathematics to preschool, second, and third graders. The first three years of my teaching career were spent in Iran. After that, I immigrated to Germany, where I continued my work in bilingual literacy education.

Teaching Method

My literacy program for children is grounded in a balanced approach that focuses on strengthening three key skills: Mastering reading and writing skills Expanding vocabulary Enhancing comprehension To effectively develop these skills, I believe in going beyond a single textbook. Each book has its limitations, and relying solely on one resource cannot provide a holistic learning experience. High-quality children's literature is an integral part of my instruction. Each session begins with reading a carefully selected book that meets the following criteria: Engaging illustrations, Content aligned with the child's age and vocabulary level, Multilayered narrative that reveals new layers with each reading, Overall appeal to the child's interests After reading the book, we select a few new vocabulary words and add them to the child's word wall. This wall plays a crucial role in the literacy process, serving as a constant reference point for the child. Gradually, the child progresses from whole-word recognition to understanding the sounds and symbols of the Persian language. Along this journey, children are encouraged to actively discover these linguistic patterns, transforming them into active learners who revel in the joy of exploration.

Experience

• Master’s student in Educational Research, FAU University, Nuremberg • Literacy teacher for Persian-speaking children and facilitator of children’s reading programs, Mana Academy, Germany • Literacy teacher for Persian-speaking children, Khayyam Cultural and Artistic Association, Nuremberg, Germany • First-grade teacher, Mofid Non-Profit School, Tehran • Facilitator of online creative writing courses for children, Boomerang Educational Group • Designer and instructor of literacy programs based on everyday life contexts, as well as shared reading and literacy courses using high-quality children’s books for educators and parents • Completed courses on *Foundations of the Balanced Approach to Reading Literacy*, *Foundations of the Balanced Approach to Writing Literacy*, and *Foundations of the Balanced Approach to Reading Comprehension* at the Institute for Research on the History of Children’s Literature • Collaborated with educational websites to develop math content for first- and second-grade children