My Journey of Becoming: How the 1 Million Teachers Program Transformed My Classroom and Me

My name is Sadia Khanum, and I am a teacher at Pakistan International School, Riyadh, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

There was a time in my career when teaching felt almost mechanical. I delivered my lessons, completed the activities, and followed the same rhythm day after day. Yet, deep within, I felt an unshakable sense that something was missing. I knew I needed to grow—not just for myself, but for my students, who were stepping into a world evolving faster than ever before.

Everything changed the moment I joined the 1 Million Teachers (1MT) Program.

The program didn’t just offer new strategies—it opened an entirely new pathway for me. My classroom slowly transformed from a traditional, teacher-centered space into a vibrant learning environment where inquiry, collaboration, and creativity thrived. I began using technology with intention and designing lessons that built real-world skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation.

But the most surprising transformation was the one that happened within me.

The program awakened the leader I didn’t realize I had become. I started guiding colleagues, initiating new ideas within my school, and communicating more confidently with my community. Teaching no longer felt like a solitary effort, it became a shared mission, one I was proud to lead and contribute to.

What touched me deeply was the sense of belonging. Through the 1MT community, I connected with passionate educators from across the globe. We exchanged challenges, celebrated one another’s successes, and supported each other through every step. Those connections strengthened my confidence and reignited my love for teaching.

To anyone who feels the same longing for growth that I once felt, I say this with absolute certainty:

The 1 Million Teachers Program is more than training, it is a journey of becoming.