Teacher profile: Ms. Saikaly

Photo taken by Nyda Hosack

Passing through the third floor of the liberal arts building in Eagle Rock, students have no doubt come across Ms. Saikaly’s vibrant and cheerful classroom. Priding herself in her decorating skills, she has molded her learning space into a room bursting with personality. Showcasing student art pieces, collectible trinkets, and plenty of pops of color, Ms. Saikaly reflects the lively history teacher that she is inside.

Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, Ms. Saikaly always knew she wanted to work in the education field. As she grew up in a working-class environment, her mother instilled in her the idea of being a teacher because of its “respectable” qualities. She was also the first in her family to go to college, which pushed her to work hard to get a chance to help others learn. In 11th grade, after having an inspiring experience with her “badass” history teacher, she decided she would pursue the same subject in her career. Ms. Saikaly has worked as a teacher for other schools, but ultimately came to Eagle Rock in 2022. She currently teaches World History, DP History of the Americas, and has taught Ethnic Studies. She has no doubt enjoyed her experience at Eagle Rock so far, recalling how supportive, energetic, and open-minded a lot of the students and staff are. She loves to work with her students through fun and meaningful activities, and she believes the school continues to improve each year.

Beyond her classes, she plays a significant role in other aspects of our school as well. Ms. Saikaly serves as one of the sponsors for the class of 2028 and as a department co-chair. She has sponsored past clubs such as Humanities for the Homies and Student Advocacy for Global Equity(SAGA), along with the current Hands Off: An Intersectional Feminist Club, eagerly being open to more.

In her classroom, Ms. Saikaly blends humor (and a little bit of sarcasm) along with critical thinking to make history come alive. She pushes her students to form evidence-based opinions, rather than following media headlines, guiding them to see how the past connects to the current world around them. A favorite tradition among her students is the “sarcasm jar,” a hilarious system to keep Ms. Saikaly’s sarcastic remarks in check. Every time she is caught being unnecessarily sarcastic, she contributes a dollar to the jar, and by the end of the year the class votes on whether they should spend the money on a potluck or donate it to charity: “It keeps me humble,” she says. Ms. Saikaly’s room also features a sound board, which is currently in the works to have cricket sound effects, and a student-made guillotine which is used during her French Revolution mock-trials.

Aside from her adventures in room 321, Ms. Saikaly loves to travel world-wide. Some of her favorite trips include: Japan, Berlin, Australia, and Lebanon. With an open mind and itinerary, she is looking into traveling to future destinations such as Barcelona, Mexico City, Ireland (shoutout Ireland, the color green, and cows), Greece, and Morocco. In all travel locations, Ms. Saikaly loves to explore different kinds of foods, cultural landmarks, and local experiences. Her favorite dishes are sushi and shawarma, and her favorite types of food are Japanese, Lebanese, and Mexican. She loves to try new things and remain on her toes. Because when in Rome, why wouldn’t you?

You can always tell about someone’s character by their hobbies and the items they collect--and Ms. Saikaly is no exception. She loves to collect jackets, Snoopy trinkets (shoutout Snoopy), vintage cameras, enamel pins, trinkets, and more, which proves she is fun and full of personality, always finding joy in the little things--just like she does in her classroom. If she weren’t a teacher, Ms. Saikaly says she would probably be an interior designer, which is a passion that is definitely showcased in her amazing decorating skills. She is also an avid film lover, having attended a multitude of screenings or showings with many more to come, appreciating movies that make you feel something.

Looking ahead, Ms. Saikaly hopes to grow along with Eagle Rock High School, continuing to inspire all of her students to develop a love for history that lasts beyond the classroom. Her passion, sense of humor, and dedication makes her the kind of teacher every student hopes to have. All students lucky enough to have her will not only learn about the past, but be inspired to shape the future.