Becoming the Teacher Students Truly Need

Описание: Today I’m joined by two inspiring educators, Shazna Pirmohamed and Toni Sartorelli.

Shazna is just about to graduate from the after-degree teacher education program at Concordia University of Edmonton. During her teacher training, Toni Sartorelli was her mentor teacher for her first practicum.

At the same time Toni was mentoring Shazna in the classroom, she was also completing her Wholistic SuccessCodes™ Certification, becoming a Wholistic NeuroGrowth Success Coach™. This created a unique mentoring environment where both classroom teaching and a deeper understanding of SoulPrint Biology systems, regulation, learning readiness, and emotional safety were present.

When Shazna first began her practicum she was understandably nervous and quite hard on herself. But once she felt safe in the classroom environment, her strengths quickly began to emerge. Her growth over those six weeks was remarkable.

Shazna brings something very special to teaching. Because of her own experiences struggling in school and navigating microaggressions connected to her heritage, she has developed a deep compassion for students who may feel unseen or misunderstood. She notices subtle cues others often miss, and students feel her care immediately.

During another practicum placement her values were tested when she was told in a formal evaluation that she needed to yell more at her students. Instead of abandoning her instincts, Shazna used the self-regulation skills she had learned to stay grounded and continue teaching in a way that aligned with who she is. That takes courage, especially for a teacher in training.

Outside the classroom, Shazna recently got married last summer and is beginning this next chapter of life with her husband, who serves in the RCMP. She is also a proud aunt and deeply values family.

Toni Sartorelli brings over 25 years of experience in education and now works as a Wholistic NeuroGrowth Success Coach™, supporting neurodivergent children and their families. Her work focuses on meeting children where they are, creating nervous-system safety, and helping families move from struggle to thriving.

In this conversation we’ll explore:

• the journey of becoming a teacher
• what mentorship in education really looks like
• how nervous system awareness changes the classroom
• and why emotional safety is foundational for learning

This conversation brings together experience, mentorship, and the next generation of compassionate educators.