“What does this child need next?”
Four years ago, Shiela Hussain joined UAS Elementary as a Class Teacher. In 2026, she became one of the first two staff to receive the school’s Exceptional Teacher Award. She shares the question that guides her teaching and what she’s aiming for next…
Every day in her classroom, Shiela Hussain returns to the same question: what does this child need next? It is a simple question, asked consistently, and in 2026 it earned her recognition. Shiela was one of two UAS staff named as the school’s first Exceptional Teacher Award recipients, receiving her award on stage at the 2026 graduation ceremony.
She has been at UAS for four years. She credits her decision to stay to the people, the students, and the trust shown to her by the senior leadership team, who gave her the space to develop her practice, learn from colleagues, and take on responsibilities beyond her own classroom.
Asked what set her apart, Shiela pointed to the care she brings to her students and the classroom she works to build, one where children feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and believe in themselves. Over four years she has become more deliberate in her practice through stronger questioning, clearer modelling, thoughtful differentiation, and more purposeful use of student data.
Mentoring and supporting
For Shiela, exceptional teaching is not a single achievement but a matter of being consistent and reflective, and always asking what a child needs next while considering how the school as a whole can improve.
Looking ahead, Shiela plans to grow beyond her own classroom by mentoring and supporting new staff joining UAS. She believes that when teachers feel supported, students benefit, and her goal is to contribute to a positive, reflective, and collaborative teaching culture at the school. She also intends to keep raising expectations for her students, helping them become independent, confident learners.
“What does this child need next?” is the question that guides her teaching. After four years at UAS, it is also what earned her this recognition.