This month's Alumni Spotlight features Ali Shafaie. Ali graduated from an NJCTL DOE-approved program; became a math teacher at Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) in Lincroft, NJ; and earned an NJCTL Master of Science in Teaching and Learning Mathematics.

After earning a degree in Exercise Science from Rutgers University, Ali found himself increasingly drawn toward math and teaching--interests he's held for most of his life. Ali was able to fulfill his passion for math teaching, despite not having majored in math, because of a unique NJCTL program.

NJCTL, like other graduate schools of education, offers alternate route programs that require candidates to have majored in the subject and passed the Praxis. However, NJCTL is unique in also offering Shortage Area Alternate Route programs that do not require a prior background in the subject. Those programs in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology teach candidates the subject and how to teach it.

NJCTL helped Ali achieve his goal by teaching him mathematics…and how to teach it.

Ali has always been shaped by two worlds: education and fencing. His father who teaches math at Biotechnology High School in Freehold, NJ, has been a constant source of advice, and Ali tries to bring his teaching style into his own work. Fencing also runs in the family--his aunt and two of his uncles competed for Iran in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. His father later moved to the U.S., earned a master's in mathematics and started a fencing club in Freehold.

Ali began fencing at age seven and became a U.S. national champion, competed internationally, and began refereeing exceptionally early--at age eight! "Fencing has always been something I love, and I am grateful for all of the places it has taken me!"

In 2023, Ali became the fencing coach at CBA and became the NJ Coach of the Year in his first season. Soon after, he stepped into the classroom to teach math. The transition felt very natural to him. "There are a lot of parallels between coaching and teaching in the classroom," he says. "I felt very prepared because of my experience in fencing."

Completing his certification through NJCTL's program, Ali was especially pleased with the asynchronous structure. "Because this program was so flexible, I have been able to balance teaching, coaching at CBA, running my family's fencing club, and even traveling internationally as a referee!”

Ali regularly applies NJCTL teaching strategies: he begins with accessible problems, increases complexity gradually, and uses tasks designed to boost student confidence and connection. He also uses collaborative group work, problem-solving activities, and gamified quizzes (like Kahoot) to keep his students engaged and actively learning.

Looking ahead, he's interested in expanding his credentials further. "I’m looking at NJCTL's Special Education (TOSD) endorsement program–that might be my next play!"

Balancing teaching, coaching, running the fencing club, and traveling keeps Ali’s schedule full but he wouldn't have it any other way. "When I'm in school, I love being there," he says. "Afterwards, I come home, get a couple of hours to reset, and then head to the fencing club...it's the life I always wanted!"

We are proud to have him as an NJCTL alum and excited to see all he continues to accomplish!