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About me:

I am currently the Director of Arabic language program at the American School of Dubai. I have previously served as the Arabic Program Coordinator at the American Community School of Beirut and Riffa Views International School in Bahrain, and have supervised the Arabic Heritage language program at the American International School of Muscat. I am an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma examiner and an ACTFL OPI and WPT certified tester. I have conducted numerous workshops for language teachers at various conferences in the Arab region and the Middle East and have worked as a consultant, curriculum developer, literacy coach and teacher trainer for various independent and governmental organizations. I hold a B.A. in Arabic language and a Teaching Diploma from the American University of Beirut as well as a certificate for teaching English to speakers of other languages (CELTA) from Cambridge University. Additionally, I hold a Master in Educational Administration from Endicott College, Massachusetts.

Research Unit:
EdD TESOL
Research Project:

Pre-thesis Module Assignmnets

Teacher Voice in Professional Development. In order to explore the effectiveness of the school’s professional development system and policy from the teachers’ points of view, I have conducted a small scale qualitative empirical study that aimed to better understand teachers’ experiences, voice and autonomy in their professional endeavors. Moreover, the study aimed at identifying the elements of effective professional development programs from the teachers’ perspectives.

Empoweing Teacher Assistants: Issues and Directions. In this critical study, I further explore and expose the status of TAs at schools through addressing the following research questions:

• How do teacher assistants see themselves being adequately supported and prepared to meet the job expectations set for them by the school?
• What issues of power, fairness, voice and transparency need to be addressed in order for teacher assistants to be empowered to effectively meet their primary responsibilities

The Impact of Teacher Questions on Student Responses During Lessons. This is a small case study investigating the relationship between teacher questions and student responses, from a cognitive perspective in particular. My research questions for this study were:

• What types of teacher questions are mostly used during lessons at ASD?
• How do teacher questions impact student responses during lessons?
• What factors affect teacher questions and student responses?

Doctoral Thesis Proposal

Parents’ Perspectives on the Impact of EMI on Their Children’s Sense of Linguistic and Cultural Identity. I inted to conduct an interpretive study with a critical perspective investigating the following questions:

My research will essentially revolve around these questions:

• How do parents perceive the effects of EMI in content areas on Arabic school students’ sense of linguistic and cultural identity?
• To what degree are parents aware that the use of English can impact the acquisition and maintenance of Arabic?
• How do parents view the role of English and Arabic in the future of their children?
• What underlying issues of power, marginalization, exclusion and identity does the EMI policy promote against the interests of Arab school students and their parents?
• What taken-for-granted assumptions and practices need to be uncovered, challenged and questioned in that regard?

Research Supervisory team:

During my pre-thesis phase the following instructors supervised my work:

Dr. Salah Troudi

Dr. Susan Riley

Dr. Phillip Durrant

Research Wider Research Interests:

Crtitical discourse analysis. Language policies. Critical testing. Critical issues in curriculum.

Professional/research experience:

January 2018 May 2019

Presenter at TESOL Arabia and ALLT Conferences

June 2017 August 2018

Chemonics International

Curriculum consultant and developer.

January 2013 December 2015

Teacher Trainer

Education:

January 2017 January 9999

University of Exeter

Ed.D. TESOL

January 2015 January 2017

Endicott College

M.Ed. in Educational Administration

January 2000 January 2001

American University of Beirut

Teaching Diploma

January 1996 January 2000

American University of Beirut

B.A. in Arabic Language and Literature

Professional Development:

2019-03-20

Conferences/Symposiums-TESOL Arabia

Presentation title: Filling a Pail or Lighting a Fire?

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