The desks were shaking, students were screaming, and somewhere in the chaos, a rat sprinted across the classroom floor. Algebra II and Geometry teacher Tabina Huq, along with half the class, stood on the desk to avoid the rat. For a moment, math didn’t matter, chaos took the wheel.

But that wild day wasn’t just unforgettable, it was a physical representation of how her classroom is always full of energy, teamwork and the unexpected moments that bring everyone together. 

“I actually never wanted to teach when I was growing up,” Huq said. “I wanted to get my master’s in healthcare management so I could work in healthcare. But after college, I started volunteering, tutoring and mentoring, and I just love it. I thought, why not become a teacher?”

In college, Huq majored in human resource development, hoping to go into healthcare management. Now, Huq brings together structure, care and humor to make learning math a lot less intimidating and a lot more meaningful. Her lessons go beyond solving equations, building confidence, problem solving skills and community.

“I like how structured math is,” Huq said. “We know what’s going to be taught, but there’s also room for creativity. I love showing students how what they learn can connect to real life and how problem solving in math can help them solve problems outside of math too.”

Even though Huq was always strong in math, she knows the frustration that comes with feeling lost. In middle school, she skipped two grades in math and began taking Algebra 1 and Geometry early. Huq remembers sitting in class, suddenly realizing math wasn’t easy anymore and feeling a little overwhelmed, but that struggle has helped her better understand how her students feel, she knows firsthand how scary it can be when the work gets harder  than expected, and she tries to make sure her students don’t feel alone.

“I was good at easy math,” Huq said. “But when I got into higher level math, I struggled a little at first.” 

Now, as a teacher, Huq is able to help her students build strong foundations, which comes in especially handy when progressing to higher level math classes.

“Ms. Huq definitely cares about her students beyond just their grades,” junior Layan Kharouf said. “She takes time to talk to us, ask how we’re doing and get to know our hobbies. She’s patient, caring and an active listener.”

To Huq, relationships matter just as much as lessons. She makes sure students feel safe asking questions, even the ones they’re scared to say out loud. She listens, encourages and reminds them that struggling doesn’t mean failing, it means learning. Junior Cameron Kelton said that Huq’s teaching style changed the way she sees math. Through Huq’s patience and the way she breaks down complicated topics, Kelton said Huq is able to make the whole class feel more comfortable speaking up.  

“She’s outgoing and bubbly, and she explains what she’s doing instead of just giving answers,” Kelton said. “My math grade is the best it’s ever been, like a really high 90.”

But Huq’s life doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Outside of school, she is earning her master’s degree while trying to balance work and her personal life. In her free time, she likes to explore museums, watch theater and comedy shows, and try improv.

“I like to write,” Huq said. “I want to get more into creative writing, like personal essays. And I bake too.”

Those hobbies help her better understand what her students feel when they try something new. Huq said trying new hobbies reminds her what it feels like to be a beginner again, but in a good way. She explained that picking up new skills keeps her curious and gives her fun stories to bring back to her students.

“When I’m learning something new, I realize I need to listen a lot or practice,” Huq said. “That helps me figure out how to teach my students better because everyone learns differently.”

What most students don’t know is that Huq writes screenplays and personal essays in her free time. She doesn’t brag about it, but it’s another part of who she is, a creative person who loves storytelling and expression. 

Huq said writing is something she does just for herself, a quiet hobby she enjoys outside of the classroom. 

“I write just for myself, it’s kind of a quiet hobby I like to do after school,” Huq said. “I just like making up stories and playing with ideas, even if no one else ever sees them.”

“I don’t think a lot of them know that I write,” Huq said. “They probably already know I’m silly, though.”

If Huq weren’t a teacher, Huq said she’d still want to do something creative and imagines many possibilities for herself outside of the classroom. She likes doing things where she can make something new, while being able to express herself and connect with people in a different way.

“I would be a writer or maybe own my own bakery,” Huq said. “Or work in curriculum development or even tech, anything that lets me create and help others.”

Still, her heart always comes back to her students. For Huq, the most rewarding moments happen in the classroom,  because for her, teaching is more than a job. 

“Honestly, it’s seeing when students have been struggling and then finally get it,” Huq said. “That lightbulb moment when it finally clicks that’s the best feeling

”Whether she’s solving equations, cheering students on or turning chaos into unexpected laughter, Huq reminds her class every day that math isn’t just about numbers. It’s about patience, confidence and realizing that every challenge can be solved one small step at a time.

“At the end of the day,” Huq said, “I just want my students to know they’re capable of more than they think.”