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Celebrating the Educators Who Help Others Build a Future

World Teachers’ Day | October 5

Teachers do more than share knowledge. They help build confidence, spark curiosity, and create opportunities for people to grow.

On World Teachers’ Day, ANIW celebrates educators in all forms, from teachers working in classrooms to instructors who share practical skills and experience with others. We also recognize the many immigrant educators who have had to rebuild their careers in a new country, as well as the teachers who make space for children and families from immigrant backgrounds to feel welcomed and supported.

This spirit of learning and empowerment is at the heart of ANIW’s programs. Today, we are highlighting some of ANIW’s long-term instructors and the experience they bring to our programs.

Oksana Kairod: Sharing Decades of Sewing Experience

Oksana Kairod has been a dedicated instructor with ANIW’s Needle & Thread sewing program since its inception. She has been in the sewing business for over 30 years. In Ukraine, Oksana had a custom-made women’s knitwear business and has over 15 years of experience.

Since coming to Canada, she’s been dedicated to sharing this experience with sewing participants, and believes that it is a unique one. Passionate about building community, she empowers immigrant women with practical sewing skills that foster confidence, self-sufficiency, and economic opportunities.

Whether teaching everyday mending techniques or guiding participants through more advanced projects, Oksana creates a welcoming and encouraging learning environment. Her positive energy, warm smile, and humble spirit make every sewing session an inspiring and enjoyable experience.

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Sweta Bothra: Helping Others Learn, Create and Grow

Sweta Bothra is an instructor with ANIW’s Needle & Thread sewing program. She is a fashion designer, professional tailor, and the founder of Sweta Thread Works. She has been working in the fashion and garment industry since 2012 and has over a decade of hands-on experience, specializing in custom tailoring, garment alterations, and sewing education.

Sweta is passionate about empowering others through sewing. She believes that sewing is not only a valuable life skill but also a pathway to creativity, confidence, and self-employment. Her patient, encouraging teaching style helps students of all skill levels build practical techniques, develop confidence, and discover the joy of creating something with their own hands.

Sweta’s mission is to inspire individuals to learn, create, and grow while preserving the art of sewing and helping others turn their passion into a lifelong skill.

Dr. Naghman Zuberi: Dentistry, Education, and Mentorship

Dr. Naghman Zuberi has a solid foundation of over three decades of academic leadership and clinical excellence across three continents:

  • 35+ Years of Clinical & Academic Leadership: Bringing 20 years of hands-on dentistry and teaching experience internationally, combined with 16 years of dedicated teaching and mentoring in North America.
  • Global Educational Impact: Former Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Oral Biology, with international teaching credentials training dentists and orthodontic dental technicians in Henan Province, People’s Republic of China.
  • Exam Insider Expertise: Highly experienced as an Internal and External Examiner, official Exam Paper Setter for leading health sciences universities, and trained in advanced MCQ (multiple-choice question) construction workshops.

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Celebrating the Teachers in Our Programs

The educators who contribute to ANIW’s programs bring different backgrounds, professions, and experiences, but they share a common commitment to helping others learn.

For immigrant women and their families, learning a new skill can be about much more than the skill itself. It can be a first step toward confidence, connection, employment, entrepreneurship, or simply discovering something new.

This World Teachers’ Day, we recognize Oksana, Sweta, Dr. Zuberi, and all the instructors and facilitators who share their time, knowledge, and experience with others. We also celebrate the many educators who help their students learn, grow, and move forward.

Thank you to the teachers, instructors, mentors, and volunteers who help make learning possible and help others build a future here.

Learn more about ANIW’s programs at aniw.org/programs.

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Ivonne Toledo (Director at large)

International trained Lawer, graduated in Mexico with two bachelors, one in English Language and other in Laws.

Settled in Canada six years ago, faced all the vicissitudes of the immigrants. Now part of an immigration legal team, I want to contribute with team of the board of directors here in ANIW trying to help immigrant women to find their way in this country

Ramona Fernando

Ramona Fernando moved to Edmonton from Sri Lanka in 2000. I am a financial strategist by profession graduated from NAIT in 2016 with a degree in Accounting. I have worked in the banking, hospitality, event planning, accounting, taxation and non-for-profit sectors. Currently I am working at the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights as the Office and Financial Manager. My passion is serving the community, mentoring and coaching youth, adults and seniors. I spent my spare time with family cooking, reading, singing, gardening and learning new challenges in life and community.

Dr. Elham Rahmani

As a dual-immigrant woman, wife, and mother, I am passionate about empowering immigrant women across Alberta through inclusion, connection, and community engagement. With a Ph.D. and over 10 years of experience in research, data analysis, and project development, I bring strong skills in strategic planning and community outreach.

My involvement in building the Iranian community in Lethbridge and organizing cultural initiatives has helped create supportive spaces for immigrant women and families. As a volunteer board member with the Alberta Network of Immigrant Women, I am committed to promoting equality, representation, and empowerment for immigrant women throughout Alberta.

Tracey Campbell

Tracey Campbell is an experienced career practitioner with over 20 years of expertise in career development, employment counseling, and public policy. As a former Senior Policy Analyst with the Government of Alberta, she has contributed to initiatives that support workforce development, diversity, and inclusion. Tracey is deeply passionate about empowering women and newcomers to reach their full potential through meaningful career pathways and community engagement. She looks forward to connecting with individuals and agencies to share knowledge, provide guidance, and collaborate on initiatives that strengthen employment opportunities and social wellbeing.

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Dr. Sandra Dixon

Dr. Sandra Dixon is a Registered Psychologist, Certified Life Coach, and Associate Professor at the University of Lethbridge. Her research focuses on spirituality, race, gender, immigration, and social justice, with special attention to racial trauma and anti-Black racism. She actively serves on several community and professional boards, including the Alberta Network of Immigrant Women. Recognized for her leadership and dedication to equity and inclusion, Dr. Dixon has received multiple awards for her teaching, community service, and advocacy in promoting social justice.

Jördis Weilandt(Secretary)

Oki und guten Tag! Mein Name ist Jördis Weilandt. I am an East-German artist, educator and researcher now splitting life between in Sikoohkotoki/ Lethbridge and Mohkinstsis/ Calgary. My training and work in the areas of social change stems from an understanding and personal lived experience that transformation begins first and foremost through relationships, created in spaces where people are able to bring their whole selves, where multiple knowledges are shared alongside and where collaboratives can imagine more just futures together.

Much of my work (on 3 continents) has centred around supporting women: as newcomers, as members of environmentally-minded communities, and as allies and accomplices to BIPOC. Having witnessed many times over how new immigrant women often carry extraordinary resilience, ancestral wisdom and relational strength inspires me to support their arrival and rooting in Treaty 7 territory. It is with clear intention that I want to initiate the building of healthy connections between local Indigenous nations and immigrant families, so that we can collaboratively determine liberatory pathways out of settler colonial Canada..

Hina Thaker (Treasurer)
Hina comes from a legal practice background of regulatory, privacy, labour and employment and human rights law. She has experience in both the private and public sectors as well as not-for-profit organizations. Her previous roles include in-house counsel at he Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, the Calgary Police Service and an Associate at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin. Hina has been practicing for 20 years and has gained board experience as a corporate secretary, and director throughout her career. She served on the ANIW board for several years in the past and has returned to the board again in 2025. 
Abby Aiyeleye

Abby Aiyeleye is a certified project manager and business analyst with over twelve years of international experience. Holding a Business Administration degree from the University of Greenwich, she is dedicated to empowering underrepresented groups through volunteer work. As a member of the Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton and ANIW, Abby is passionate about helping immigrant women thrive in Alberta and Canada. She encourages women to pursue ambitious careers and businesses while maintaining strong family values.

Dr. Maria Louisa Torres (President)

A mathematician born and raised in Mexico City.  I immigrated to Canada for further studies and a professional life in academia. I am involved with the Latin American Literary Association, Calgary Mexican Association and the Calgary Police Services. Other interests included working for the El Salvador Solidarity of McMaster’s University and the Hamilton Police Services. I am currently the president. I am passionate about the work that ANIW does to empower immigrant women.