Erin Kent Consulting

Farrah Karroum has been an educator in international schools in Dubai for over 12 years working as an elementary, middle and high school teacher. During her role as an Arabic teacher and Team Lead, she planned and led frequent department/grade level meetings that focus on ensuring that student learning is in line with the planned curriculum in the elementary school and meeting the needs of students. Farrah is a certified Literacy Coach who has attended the Arabic Readers and Writers Workshop. In her work as a teacher and coach, Farrah has much trust in the power of reflection and in “thinking buddies” to plan responsive units and lessons. She believes that the decisions taken by teachers and administrators should be based on data and research. After her experience in teaching Arabic to Pre-K students in a Dual Language program, she is convinced that Arabic is more fun to teach through play and stories and results showed students acquired it faster. Farrah holds a certificate in Curriculum Design and Class Management from the International Community College in Ghana. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Nottingham (UK).

Eman Al Ashqar has taught Elementary through High School for many years in schools in Dubai and Jordan. She balances the dual pursuits of being standards-based and student-centered well and is constantly seeking better ways to engage and respond to the needs of her students, including adapted pedagogies from the English classroom. Eman has developed an Arabic Teacher’s Guide and curriculum (Grade 1&2) based on Moroccon standards and facilitated trainings on Reader’s & Writer’s Workshops adapted for the Arabic classroom. Eman teaches at the American School of Dubai. She is a certified Rater in the Oral Proficiency Interview & Writing Proficiency Test of Arabic from ACTFL, and a certified Literacy Coach. Eman holds a post-graduate in Education and a certificate in Educational Administration & Management from the college of Birmingham (UK). Eman is based in Dubai.

Hiba Balouza Haddad is an educator who has experience in teaching Arabic to both native and non-native students in international schools. After she graduated from Saint Joseph University in Beirut majoring in Arabic language and literature, Hiba worked in various schools in Lebanon, Kuwait, Jeddah KSA and Dubai. In her current role as an Arabic teacher, K-12 teacher leader at the American School of Dubai, and literacy coach Hiba is always looking for new and innovative, research-based best practices in teaching Arabic as a first and second language. Her main focus is ensuring students’ engagement and learning. Hiba is currently part of a committee in her current school, the American School of Dubai, in charge of re-imagining the teaching of the Arabic language and the application of the Reading and Writing Workshop model across all divisions.