Karim-Aly Kassam

Safe environment means to me a space where students are respected for their considered views and are given the freedom to express them thoughtfully and effectively. I do not expect my students to be comforted in class. Safe does not mean comfortable. In fact, the exact opposite is what I expect from my students. If students are comfortable after every class, then that means that I have failed. They should feel a deep unquenchable thirst to address current issues relating to our society and the North. Learning is achieved when one feels a hunger, an irresistible desire to understand, appreciate and ultimately come to terms with ideas, concepts and peoples. Fostering that learning environment means cultivating the hunger to learn and guiding the learning process. It is also important to keep in mind that I also learn from my students. Their enthusiasm and fresh outlook is invaluable.