Mona Mohammed Al Zaidi: An Educational Journey Rich in Giving from Classrooms to School Leadership
Profile Overview
Mona Mohammed Al Zaidi works at Emirates National Schools. She began her professional career in education as a teacher of Arabic Language and Islamic Education, then progressed through several educational and supervisory roles, including National Curriculum Coordinator, until reaching her current position as Assistant Principal. Throughout this journey, she has contributed to improving academic performance, supporting teachers, and supervising planning, assessment, and school activities, all of which enhance the quality of education.
Academic Journey
Al Zaidi completed her Bachelor’s degree at United Arab Emirates University, specializing in Primary Education in the fields of Arabic Language and Islamic Education. She then joined Al Ain University to pursue a Master’s degree in Arabic Language Curricula and Teaching Methods and is currently completing her PhD in the same specialization. These academic stages played a significant role in shaping her academic and professional character, supported by the university and under the supervision and encouragement of Professor Dr. Suad Al Waeli.
Al Ain University and Its Academic Impact
Al Ain University represented a pivotal academic milestone in Al Zaidi’s journey, as it provided a supportive learning environment and opportunities for research and learning, contributing to strengthening her academic expertise and developing her research and professional capabilities.
Professional Career and Career Development
Al Zaidi began her career in education and advanced through several educational positions, which enabled her to develop her teaching and supervisory skills. This progression positively reflected on her professional performance and leadership style within the school community.
Reason for Choosing the Specialization and Future Aspirations
She chose the specialization of Arabic Language Curricula and Teaching Methods out of her belief in the importance of language in building identity and thought. Her future aspirations include contributing to the development of educational curricula and participating in educational research that serves the educational field.
Academic Support for Professional Career
Her studies at Al Ain University provided her with in-depth academic knowledge and enhanced her educational skills, which directly reflected on her professional practices and contributed to the development of her educational performance.
Voluntary and Community Participation
Al Zaidi contributes to supporting volunteer work by encouraging school students to participate in community initiatives, driven by her belief in the role of teachers in instilling values of responsibility and volunteerism in future generations.
The Role of Graduates Toward the University and Society
Al Zaidi believes that a graduate’s role toward their university lies in representing it honorably and enhancing its academic reputation. As for their role in society, it is embodied in utilizing their knowledge and expertise to serve the community and participate in development initiatives.
Balancing Professional and Personal Life
Al Zaidi emphasized that achieving balance between professional and personal life is accomplished through effective time management, prioritization, caring for physical and mental health, and allocating time for family, culture, and rest.
Achievements and Awards
Among Al Zaidi’s most notable achievements are completing postgraduate studies and fulfilling a childhood dream, in addition to contributing, alongside her educational institution, to the school’s attainment of the Hamdan Award for Academic Excellence and the Khalifa Educational Award. The school also achieved an outstanding evaluation in national identity for two consecutive years. She further played a role in encouraging students to continuously participate in internal and external school competitions.
Pillars of Success for Students and Graduates
She affirmed that the most important pillars students and graduates should possess are commitment, diligence, continuous learning, development of personal and professional skills, adherence to values and ethics, and the ability to adapt to the demands of the modern era.
A Final Message to Graduates
Al Zaidi addressed a final message to Al Ain University graduates, congratulating them on their graduation and encouraging them to make knowledge a means of giving, to continue learning and self-development, and to take pride in their affiliation with Al Ain University, wishing them a future filled with success and achievement.