What made you decide teach in the UAE?
When I graduated from University, I went straight onto doing my PGCE as I always had an interest in teaching. About three years into teaching in the UK, I started to feel incredibly under pressure and a little fed up of life in general! Maybe something to do with my hatred for cold and rainy weather. I had been following an Instagram Influencer for years and knew of Dubai from her as she had recently moved there and it seemed beautiful and full of life, and most importantly full of sunshine! I reached out to recruitment agency who helped me apply for jobs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Within a week I had a zoom interview with a school in Dubai. The interview went really well and although I had never been to the UAE before something in me just said “go for it!” and I did. I have now been working here for 5 years and I have never been happier!
A Typical Day:
7:05: I arrive to school and prepare for the day ahead (and drink lots of coffee)
7:45: Students arrive in the classroom
7:50-8:35: Morning Meetings
8:40-9:20: Reader’s Workshop
9:20-9:35: Snack break
9:40-10:20: English
10:20-11:05: Math
11:05-11:40: Lunch and Lunch break
11:40-12:25: Writer’s Workshop
12:25-1:10: Science
1:10-1:55 Specials (which is basically P.E, I.T, or Arts)
1:55-2:45: Citizenship class
2:45 Dismissal
After school I attend leadership meetings, faculty meetings, and lead paint and arts Club.
Our work week here is Sunday through to Thursday due to the fact that Friday is the holy day in Islam.
What is the make-up of your classroom?
I currently have 18 students. All elementary classes are capped at 21. The grade younger always puts together the classes for the grade above and try to have them split as evenly as possible. I have students from all over- including the United States, United Kingdom, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. All classrooms have Special Ed students as well. We have a wonderful Learning Support team to help us best support these kiddos!
What has been your favorite part about working in the UAE?
My favorite part is definitely the people. I feel I have become such a better and more experienced teacher by working with such a multi-cultural and diverse team. I have developed my skills interpersonally as well- in terms of emotional intelligence and my communication skills, as well as my resilience. All the teachers I work with are equipped with such different experiences and trained from all over the world, so when we come together collectively, we are able to share best practice and contribute and add value. Also, I can proudly say, I now have friends who live in nearly every part of the world! One of the memories that I will cherish forever is my first Christmas in the UAE and the first time I had spent Christmas away from my home and family. Some of the families of my students found out and got me Christmas presents and invited me to spend it with them at their home. I ended up spending it at my first ever Christmas brunch at the Ritz Carlton which one of the mums invited me to, and it was the most lavish and extraordinary time of my life! Imagine a magical Christmas brunch set in lush gardens with unlimited champagne and a 5 course menu!
What misconceptions do you often hear?
1. That it is dangerous!
The UAE has been rated the second safest country in the world, behind Finland. I have honestly neve felt unsafe or uncomfortable whilst living here. Whether you’re walking the streets at 2am after a night out, or going for a run on kite beach at 6am, you will always feel at ease here. I rarely ever lock my apartment or car door and no I’m not crazy, that’s just the way it is here. I have even left my phone in a restaurant or taxi before and have had it returned to me- 3 times to be precise. One taxi driver went out his way to make a return trip to return my phone that I left in the back of his car.
2. I am always asked if I need to “cover-up” and wear an abaya or hijab. The answer is quite simply- No! I wear exactly the same clothes that I wear back in London and bikinis if im on the beach, dresses or skirts for a night out or bruch- there really is no difference. I tend to wear a lot of trousers and long sleeve tops because it gets pretty cold because of the intense air conditioning.
3. That women are treated poorly. The United Arab Emirates is very big on female empowerment and are extremely proud of women and their success. The government here is filled with women in high power. Women here work, drive, go to school, raise families, everything that they do back in the UK. Not only are women in the workforce but the country is very proud of this and encourages it. Emirati women work as pilots, race car drivers, doctors, teachers, space engineers, anything you can imagine!