From Doubt to Direction: How Sala Sabir Found Her Calling in Teaching
Published: | by Erin Martin
When Sala Sabir first arrived in the United States, she was navigating far more than a new place to live.
English was her second language. She was adapting to a new culture, a new education system, and a completely different way of life. Like many newcomers, she was focused on building a future, even if she wasn’t yet sure what that future would look like.
Today, Sabir is preparing to earn her teaching license and pursue her goal of leading her own classroom. Along the way, Moreland University’s online Master’s in Education with teacher certification program helped her gain the skills, confidence, and credentials to turn her passion for helping students into a career.
An Unexpected Path to Teaching
Growing up, teaching wasn’t always part of the plan.
“My family wanted me to be a doctor,” Sabir shared.
After immigrating to the United States, she enrolled in college and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. The journey took perseverance.
“It took me about seven years to get my bachelor’s,” she said. As someone learning English while adjusting to a new country, she faced challenges both inside and outside the classroom.
Initially, Sabir planned to continue down a healthcare path. But life has a way of revealing possibilities we don’t always see coming.
In 2021, she began working as a paraprofessional.
“I worked with students from different ages and different levels,” Sabir said. “I thought maybe this is what I need. This is what I want to do.”
The more time she spent with students, the more she realized that teaching offered something special: the opportunity to make a lasting difference in young lives.
Searching for the Right Program
Once Sabir decided she wanted to become a teacher, she started exploring her options.
She quickly discovered that many traditional pathways in Michigan would require her to return to school for another undergraduate degree in education before she could pursue teacher certification.
“My bachelor’s was in psychology,” she explained. “I would have needed to go back and study for another four years.”
Determined to find another route, she began researching online programs and eventually came across Moreland University.
At first, however, she wasn’t entirely convinced.
“To be honest, I thought maybe it’s not real,” Sabir recalled with a laugh.
Rather than rushing into a decision, she spent nearly a year researching the program, watching alumni videos, and speaking with Moreland’s admissions team.
“They talked to me about the program, how long it would be, what I could do after, and what support I would get,” she said. “Then I watched a lot of videos from people who graduated from Moreland.”
Eventually, her doubts faded.
“I said, ‘It’s real, and it’s time for me to do it.'”
Balancing Graduate School and a Full Schedule
Like many aspiring educators, Sabir didn’t have the luxury of putting life on hold while earning her degree.
She worked full-time throughout the program and often juggled more than one job.
“I used to work two jobs and seven days a week,” she said.
Balancing work, coursework, and personal responsibilities wasn’t easy.
“It was really hard,” she admitted. “But with time, support from your family, and all that, I managed.”
The flexibility of Moreland University’s online format allowed her to continue working while steadily progressing toward her goal.
Building Confidence in the Classroom
One of the biggest changes Sabir experienced during the Master’s in Education program was how she developed confidence in her abilities as an educator.
Before enrolling, she often felt unsure of how to effectively support students with different learning needs.
“I felt lost,” she said. “I didn’t know how to teach.”
She remembers struggling with questions many new educators face:
How do you support students who are working at different levels?
How do you meet everyone’s needs within a limited class period?
How do you design lessons that help every student succeed?
Through the program, those answers began to take shape.
“I learned a lot of skills,” Sabir said. “How I can teach, how I prepare my lesson plans, what I need, how I can break down a lesson if it’s hard. It helped me a lot.”
The practical strategies she learned gave her a stronger foundation and a clearer understanding of how to create meaningful learning experiences for students.
Finding Support Along the Way
Sabir credits both her instructors and fellow candidates with helping her succeed.
“The cohort and the teachers were really helpful,” she said. “The communication was really good between us. We helped each other.”
The faculty support specifically stood out for Sabir.
“Whenever we needed help, we could email them,” she said. “They would get back to us within 24 hours.”
For someone balancing work, coursework, and family responsibilities, knowing support was always available made a meaningful difference.
Giving Back to Students Who Share Her Experience
Today, Sabir feels especially passionate about working with young learners and newcomer students.
Part of that passion comes from personal experience.
She understands what it feels like to enter a classroom while learning a new language. She knows the challenges that can come with adapting to a new environment and building confidence in unfamiliar surroundings.
That’s why helping newcomer students carries special meaning.
“When I’m helping them, and they can read, or they can write or speak their first words, I feel really happy,” Sabir said. “I feel like I can do something for them.”
Her own journey has given her empathy, perspective, and a deep commitment to helping students succeed.
Looking Ahead
After graduating in December 2025, Sabir is now preparing for the next step: earning her teaching license and securing a classroom of her own in Michigan.
“I want to try my best so I can pass the test and have my own classroom,” she said. “The feeling is different when you have your own classroom. You’re officially a teacher.”
When asked whether she would recommend Moreland University to other aspiring educators, her answer came quickly.
“One hundred percent,” Sabir said. “It’s a good program.”
For Sabir, earning her degree was about more than advancing her career. It was about finding the path that felt right and gaining the tools to make a difference for future generations of students.
And soon, when she steps into a classroom of her own, she’ll be doing exactly that.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your teaching career, explore Moreland University’s 100% online master’s programs, including our online Master’s in Education with teacher certification. All are designed for working educators.
To apply, complete your free application or request more information.
