Keep Arabic interesting, urges teacher

Dubai - He has been named as the winner of the prestigious "Emirates Innovative Teacher Award" at the World Government Summit in Dubai.

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, GEMS Education.
In an interview with Khaleej Times, Suleiman said she feels "very glad and very happy".
"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, she said, is "teaching the Arabic language in an interactive way that will keep it interesting. I feel very strongly about the Arabic language, and feel that, in people's minds, it is connected to the furthest things away from innovation and technology. To me, the opposite is the truth.
"That's why I wanted to approach teaching Arabic in an innovative and modern way, to keep  it appealing for the youth. I've established both one-on-one and (technology-based) education programmes 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.
Suleiman, Varkey said, "demonstrates that great teaching within the country exists not just in the capital or not just in Dubai, but in all the emirates. The award brings with it a sense of what's possible in the teaching profession today."
- bernd@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai