How Maha’s Journey with People 1st Helped Open the Door to a New Life and Career in Northern Ireland
For many people, education is more than a career. It is a passion, a purpose and a way of making a difference in the lives of others.
For Maha Al Hakimy, that passion has been a constant throughout her life.
Having worked as a university teacher in her home country for many years, Maha always enjoyed helping others learn, grow and achieve their potential. When she moved to Northern Ireland, she brought with her a wealth of experience, knowledge and dedication. However, like many people starting a new life in a new country, she faced the challenge of finding a pathway back into meaningful employment and understanding an entirely different education system.
Today, Maha is thriving in her role as a Classroom Assistant at St Kevin’s Primary School in West Belfast, where she has been settled and making a positive impact for the past three months. Alongside building a new life for herself and her family, she has secured a rewarding career supporting children and helping them reach their full potential.
Her journey has been one of determination, resilience and opportunity, supported every step of the way by People 1st and the Classroom Assistant Upskilling Academy delivered in partnership with Lisburn & Castlereagh Labour Market Partnership.
How the Classroom Assistant Training Belfast Helped Maha Start a New Career
Having settled into a new home in West Belfast and seeing her husband secure employment, life has begun to come together in ways she had hoped for when first arriving in Northern Ireland.
While adapting to a new country brought challenges, one thing remained unchanged: her love of education and her desire to work with children and young people.
“I was inspired to join because I love working with children,” explained Maha.
“I worked as a university teacher for many years in my country, and I enjoy helping others and being part of their growth and development. This programme gave me the chance to continue supporting learners in a school setting and develop my skills further.”
For Maha, the Classroom Assistant Academy represented more than a qualification. It was an opportunity to reconnect with a profession she loved and find a meaningful role within her local community.
Developing New Skills and Confidence
Through the programme, Maha completed the Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching & Learning, gaining the knowledge, practical skills and confidence needed to work effectively in a modern classroom environment.
Like many adult learners, balancing responsibilities was not always easy. Between classroom duties, studying and family life, organisation and determination were essential.
“I managed my responsibilities by staying organised and planning my time carefully,” she said.
“I made sure to balance my work in the classroom with my study tasks. The support from my colleagues and mentor was also very helpful, as they encouraged me and offered guidance when I needed it.”
One of the aspects she enjoyed most about the programme was learning about the Northern Ireland education system and understanding how schools operate.
“The thing I enjoyed most was learning about a completely new education system and understanding all its basics,” she explained.
“I also discovered that I have many skills that I can develop further in this field, which was an unexpected and exciting realisation for me.”
The course helped Maha recognise the value of the experience and abilities she already possessed while giving her the confidence to apply them in a new setting.
The Difference Support Can Make when doing Classroom Assistant Training
Behind every success story is often a network of people who believe in someone and encourage them to keep moving forward.
For Maha, the support she received from People 1st, particularly mentors Kim Mead and Ruth, played a significant role in helping her achieve her goals.
Kim and the Academy team were determined to help Maha secure a role within a school where she could utilise her skills, experience and passion for education.
Reflecting on her experience, Maha spoke warmly about the support she received throughout her journey.
“The support that helped me the most was their trust in me, appreciation for the effort I put in, and the many opportunities they gave me,” she said.
“Constant communication and guidance also made a big difference, helping me stay on track and confident throughout the programme.”
Perhaps the strongest endorsement of the programme came when Maha described how People 1st made her feel.
“People 1st gave me a lot of support during my journey. They helped me find training opportunities and were always in contact with me.”
“Their kindness and support made me feel like they were a family who truly cared about me and helped me with any problem during the training or while looking for a job.”
“I am very grateful to the team, especially Kim and Ruth, who continued supporting me until I was able to take the course and find a job opportunity.”
These words highlight the importance of personalised support and mentoring, particularly for learners who may be navigating significant life changes alongside their professional development.
Building a Classroom Assistant Career in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Today, Maha is enjoying her role at St Kevin’s Primary School and has quickly become a valued member of the school community.
The qualification provided her with new skills in supporting children with Special Educational Needs while also strengthening her ability to assist all learners within the classroom.
“I gained skills in supporting students with special educational needs as well as helping all students in general,” she explained.
“I can now assist in the classroom with most tasks related to the school day, which makes me more useful and confident in my role.”
The confidence she has gained through her qualification is evident in her day-to-day work.
“Gaining this qualification has helped me feel more confident in my role at school.”
“I now feel more comfortable supporting the teacher and the pupils, and I feel more confident sharing my ideas and contributing in the classroom.”
For Maha, some of the most rewarding moments come from seeing children succeed.
“There were many moments that made me feel proud,” she said.
“One was when a child I was helping completed a task successfully and seemed happy because they understood something I had helped them with.”
“Another was when the class teacher told me that the students I support are benefiting from my help and improving, which made me feel that my work really makes a difference.”
These moments reinforce exactly why she entered the profession in the first place.
Supporting the Wider Community
Alongside her work within the school environment, Maha has also been a tremendous support through the Conway Centre, helping migrant children with their learning and educational development.
Having experienced the challenges of adapting to a new country and education system herself, she brings empathy, understanding and encouragement to the young people she supports.
Her journey allows her to relate to children who may be navigating similar experiences and helps create a positive learning environment where they can build confidence and thrive.
This contribution to the wider community is another example of how Maha continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
A Qualification That Opened New Doors
When asked how completing the qualification has influenced her future, Maha’s response perfectly captures the impact the programme has had on her life.
“Completing this qualification feels like a key that has opened a new path for me.”
“It has given me the confidence to apply for other opportunities and to believe that I am qualified enough to look for new job roles.”
“It also helped me feel more confident in my abilities and more prepared for the next step in my career.”
For someone who arrived in Northern Ireland with valuable experience but needed support to navigate a new system, this represents a significant milestone.
The qualification has not only enhanced her professional skills but has also strengthened her belief in her own abilities and future potential.
Looking Ahead
Maha’s commitment to learning has not ended with the completion of her qualification.
She sees professional development as an ongoing journey and is eager to continue building her knowledge and skills.
“After completing this programme, professional development means continuing to learn and improve in my role,” she explained.
“It helped me feel more confident and more recognised in my job as a classroom assistant.”
“It also made me more interested in learning new things and developing my skills so I can support the children and the school even better in the future.”
The programme also helped deepen her understanding of how schools operate and strengthened her sense of purpose within her role.
“This programme helped me understand much more about the education system and how things work in the school.”
Most importantly, the experience reminded her why she chose this path in the first place.
“This experience helped me realise that I really enjoy learning new things and improving my skills.”
“It also showed me that I work well as part of a team and enjoy working together with others to support the children.”
“Most of all, it reminded me how much I love working with children and being part of their learning and development.”
Inspiring Others to apply for Classroom Assistant Training
Maha is passionate about encouraging others to take advantage of similar opportunities.
She would wholeheartedly recommend the programme to anyone considering a career as a Classroom Assistant.
“Yes, I would recommend this experience,” she said.
“It gives you everything you need to better understand this field and your role in the classroom. It also helps you build confidence and develop the skills needed to support children and work effectively in a school environment.”
Her advice for future learners is simple:
“Have a real desire to learn and to ask about anything that comes to your mind.”
“Don’t hesitate to ask questions, because the trainer has a lot of experience and is always willing to help and support you.”
Congratulations, Maha
Everyone at People 1st is incredibly proud of Maha and everything she has achieved.
Her story demonstrates the power of determination, lifelong learning and the right support at the right time. From an experienced educator building a new life in Northern Ireland to a valued Classroom Assistant helping children succeed every day, her journey is an inspiring example of what can be achieved when ambition meets opportunity.
We wish Maha every success as she continues her career at St Kevin’s Primary School and look forward to seeing where her journey takes her next.
Interested in becoming a Classroom Assistant?
People 1st regularly delivers Classroom Assistant and Supporting Teaching & Learning programmes across Northern Ireland in partnership with local councils and employers.
📧 Contact our team today to find out about upcoming opportunities.
If you would like to read more about the Academies please visit https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/academies/ and sign up to join the waiting list for the next intake
