Dubai - I wanted to approach teaching Arabic in an innovative and modern way, to keep it appealing for the youth, says Suleiman
Published: Mon 13 Feb 2017, 1:51 PM
Last updated: Mon 13 Feb 2017, 7:05 PM
Emirati teacher Mariam Rashid Suleiman of Fujairah's Al Massa School for Secondary Education has been named as the winner of the prestigious "Emirates Innovative Teacher Award" at the World Government Summit in Dubai.
The award was given to Suleiman by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, alongside UAE Minister of Education Hussein bin Ibrahim al Hammadi and Sunny Varkey, founder and chairman of GEMS Education.
In an interview with Khaleej Times, a beaming Suleiman said she feels "very glad and very happy" that she received the award.
"It's considered one of the most difficult prizes to obtain in the education field in the UAE," she added.
One of proudest achievements as a teacher, Suleiman said, is "teaching the Arabic language in an interactive way that will keep it interesting."
"It makes them (her students) want to learn Arabic," she said. "I feel very strongly about the Arabic language, and feel that the Arabic language, in people's minds, is connected to the furthest things away from innovation and technology...to me, the opposite is the truth and I wanted to prove people wrong."
"That's why I wanted to approach teaching Arabic in an innovative and modern way, to keep it appealing for the youth," she said. "I've established both one-on-one and (technology-based) education programs to meet the student's needs."
Dino Varkey, managing director of GEMS Education, told Khaleej Times that in establishing the Innovative Teacher Prize, the UAE "led the way" among over 20 countries that have taken steps to honour their teachers on a national level.
"For me, it is an important signal from the leadership of the UAE how important teachers are within their society," he said. "Hopefully it will be a sign to anybody that wants to be involved in education or are involved in education that it (teaching) is important."
"Developing human capital and developing leadership within our people is going to be an important pillar of what sustains the strength of the nation for years to come," he added.
Sulaiman, Varkey noted, "demonstrates that great teaching within the country exists not just in the capital or not just in Dubai, but actually in all the emirates...hopefully the award brings with it a sense of what's possible in the teaching profession today."
bernd@khaleejtimes.com
iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
