Chaldean Refugee is the Teacher She Needed

Rojina Tobya posed on campus in May 2022 for her liberal studies graduation photo.

Rojina Tobya was only 14 when she came to the U.S. from Iraq, where her father and other family members were kidnapped and ransomed by the Islamic State (IS). She found herself in a classroom with other kids her age, not knowing the language or even recognizing the alphabet. Not one teacher spoke her language or understood her trauma. That’s why she made the decision to be a teacher.

“I remember the feeling of sitting in the classroom and not understanding anything,” Rojina recalls.

Rojina, a 2022 graduate of San Diego State University’s Liberal Studies program, is one of six Chaldean students currently completing their student teaching in SDSU’s Cajon Valley Cohort. The group trains teachers in El Cajon, home to a growing community of more than 15,000 Chaldeans.

“I want to be able to help all the newcomers with their needs,” Rojina said. “Either the language or helping parents to understand. Honestly, my biggest hope is making a strong connection with the families. If we have that, then we’ll help students be successful.”

The Chaldean representation this year is the largest the Cajon Valley Cohort has ever seen, according to cohort leader and lecturer Laura Craig. “By telling stories, sharing culture, traditions and holidays in our online classes,” explains Craig, “our cohort has been able to learn from one another so that as new teachers they all can best serve their students.”

Rojina’s sister Reva recently graduated from SDSU’s School of Social Work. Another sister, Rotana, is at the university studying accounting. Given the family’s remarkable achievement, “My dad’s really proud of us,” said Rojina. “He didn’t have the opportunity to graduate in Iraq, and he just worked really hard for us.”

– San Diego State University