Ms. Khadija Snowber, Middle and Upper School science teacher, awarded Museum of Science and Industry school partnership. Learn more about one of our excellent teachers and how she lives the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile.

Ms. Snowber, Middle and Upper School science teacher at GEMS since 2022, was recently awarded a partnership with the Museum of Science and Industry through their Science Leadership School Partners Program for the 2023-24 school year. Ms. Snowber’s hard work will allow GEMS to implement more robust science programming. Ms. Snowber is not only a lifelong learner, immersed in the world of science, but she is also a first generation American and native Chicagoan. She demonstrates the characteristics of the IB learner in many ways.

Although Ms. Snowber was born in Chicago and considers herself firmly rooted to this city, she is also international; her father emigrated from Palestine and her ethnically Brazilian mother was born in Puerto Rico. Therefore, she is fluent in Spanish comprehension, having listened to her tías and mother celebrating the holidays in Spanish as a child Similarly, she grew up hearing classical Arabic at home, but it wasn’t until she had the opportunity to minor in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations that she encountered the many dialects and versions of Arabic that she now speaks.

Though she has a complex and unique linguistic background, Ms. Snowber is very much invested in the world of science. She majored in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Endocrinology, at UChicago. She stayed close to home for her M.S. as well at Northwestern University where she focused on Reproductive Science and Medicine. She is particularly proud of her published Master’s thesis: Investigating Racial Disparities in the Screening and Treatment of Depression. Please ask her about her findings, which have important implications for equity in maternal mental health treatment!

Ms. Snowber believes there is something special about teaching at the middle school level. Middle schoolers are still young enough to engage with the world with childlike wonder and develop critically to engage with more complex concepts if broken down appropriately. Ms. Snowber has truly enjoyed her teaching experience at GEMS this past year and meeting students where they are while fostering their naturally inquisitive minds. Her students never fail to amaze her with their curiosities. She hopes to continue to cultivate their critical and analytical thinking skills as she continues to grow as an IB Science Educator. 

Loving to immerse herself in non-fiction texts in the fields of science and Islamic spirituality, as well as perfecting her beautiful baked goods for family and religious celebrations, Ms. Snowber is currently finishing Words Can Change Your Brain. Spending time with loved ones, taking nature walks and working this summer at the Chicago Botanical Garden, Ms. Snowber particularly embraces the Learner Profile attributes of Inquirer, Knowledgeable, and Principled.