It didn’t happen easily but it looks like it’s finally happened. I’ve mustered all the courage it takes to put myself out there. I have to thank Marisa and Micaela for giving me that last gentle prod. Thank you both.
Since this is the first post of this blog, I’ll do the ‘introduce yourself’ bit and tell you about who I am and what this blog is about.
I’ve been a teacher since 1997. My first teaching job was in a community school in London where I taught reception/year1 children. I continued teaching school children for a few years after that. We moved to Saudi Arabia in 2002 and I found what I thought was my niche when I got into the English as a Second Language IGCSE Cambridge examination. I had a great time teaching the loveliest and most motivated students I’ve ever met.
In 2008, the beginning of a new chapter in my teaching career was about to happen. I enrolled on the first CELTA course delivered in Jeddah (some say there may have been another one some years before that, but it’s unclear as to where and when). It was organised by Helen Glenn at the British Council’s Women Centre. Paula Ellis flew over to co-tutor the ten pioneering trainees. At the time, I don’t think I realised what an impact these four weeks were going to have on my life and my career as a teacher. On the last input session of the course, while most couldn’t wait to end it all, I received with great interest glad tidings of the next step – DELTA. It was then I decided that that was the path for me. I started working for the British Council, completed the DELTA as soon as I was able to, and am now studying with International House to improve my teacher training skills.
I’ve been delivering training sessions for a few years, mainly to do with teaching methodology and practice. A few years ago I developed a student peer-mentoring programme to support school teachers dealing with large classes in a leading local school – Global International School. This interest of mine led me to presenting the BC mentoring skills course to some local university faculty.
This year I saw an #ELTchat advert for an e-moderator. I decided to apply. I clearly remember thinking, ‘there’s a chance to get closer to those you’ve been learning so much from, afar, and perhaps also a chance to get more involved, share, grow, share some more, and grow some more!’
Saudi Arabia can feel like a lonely place when one reads about all the ELT activity happening elsewhere.
And they picked me.
So I started my teacher training course with IH at the same time as the assistant e-moderator post on #ELTchat. And my full-time job at the BC of course.
Now if there was a time in my life when I needed to reflect on what I do, then this is it.
Blogging now seems like the best way to reflect, share and learn from both the writing and the reading this will generate.
Great stuff, Hada! Looking forward to reading your posts on here.
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Thanks for reading and commenting.
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It’s very interesting how what you’re made to be kept gradually unravelling until you found yourself on the road to achieving your dreams. May you always look forward to the next big step!
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Thanks for your comment Asma. I totally agree about the ‘unravelling’ part. I’m learning that there are so many dimensions to self-reflection and that different situations seem to require different approaches. I’m now really excited about how much more will ‘unravel’ and what I will discover on this promising journey. Look forward to reading you some more.
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Congratulations on your first post!! I enjoyed getting to know you a bit more. 🙂 It does sound like you have quite a bit to reflect on and from very different sources. Looking forward to sharing in that reflection. Happy blogging!
xMicaela
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Micaela, thanks!! I hope you realise that your blogging was that last push I needed! Looks like we may be sharing this journey together and I’m so excited about it. I look forward to reading you and reflecting on each other’s experiences. Hx
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Well done Hada; you’ve worked hard to get this far and you deserve applause. You are one inspirational person and I really looking forward to reading about your work adventures on here!
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Ruqaya, my buddy! Hold the applause for 100th post. You may feature on some of my posts since you and I have shared quite a bit of the journey. And still are!
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Oops, I am really…..
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Great to see your new blog and what it’s about – looking forward to some good reads here, dear Hada 🙂
Marisa
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Dear Marisa! Thank you for commenting. You’re such a great mentor to so many of us out there, and I feel privileged to be working with you. It was your advice (and energy) that got me more active on Twitter and starting the blog. Thanks for being such an inspiration and I can only hope the reads will be…worthwhile.
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Looking forward to reading more, Hada. And what a tidy desk you have!
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Thanks for dropping by Caroline. You know it had to look tidy for the picture – that didn’t last long though!
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Amazing journey Hada. Wish you all the very best in future.
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