Dear Reader
I am Lamya Beydoun. I was born in Colombia, but my parents are Lebanese. I lived in Colombia until I was 17, when my family and I moved to the states. This multicultural mix has its perks as I speak three different languages and I understand three very different cultures, but I also feel confused at times on where to call home.I am married with two children. My husband and my kids are my heroes and my inspiration to excel. My daughter Layal is seven years old and is our princess at home, my son Mohammed is two and keeps everyone busy! Layal has Down syndrome but she has taught my family and I the difference between “can’t” and “can’t…YET.” I love the relationship that my kids have developed between each other. I often apply things that are effective at work to my home and vice versa. I am always learning how to teach and teaching how to learn, both at home and at work.
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in k-8 education with a major in Science and a minor in Math from the University of Michigan, Dearborn. A couple of months after graduation, and with only a few months of subbing experience, I moved to Doha, Qatar for my first job. I have been living in Doha for the past five years. I was a middle school science, math, reading and writing teacher, a high school health teacher, a middle school coordinator, a teacher leader and finally this year, I am one of the two middle school instructional coaches.My school demographics is very atypical. Our students are behind at least three grade levels, have learning disabilities, and/or behavior problems, and are English language learners. My students are mostly male (90%) and come from very affluent, royal families. We follow the RTI model for intervention and are also a PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System) school. We are the only school of its type in the region, and are now moving into a model lab school where we have outreach programs to serve a larger population.My family and I are planning to move back to the states at the end of June, 2014 and I hope to find a job in education this coming up year. It is my hope that with my bachelors degree, my experience, and this master program, I find a place to work and settle, and finally feel at home.
Lamya Beydoun
