Niche in the world

NICHE IN THE WORLD

BY

ANILA SIDHU

1990
1997
1998
2006
2009
2010

This ladder of years shows the success story of a Syrian ambitious lady with unusual name Samah .When she was born her father wanted to call her “Aber “and Mother “Samah” so this conflict was solved through a draw and then her name was announced officially. She feels proud having this name to catch special attention everywhere.

“Forgiveness and generous gesture of nobility” This meaning of her name reflects in her personality. 48 years old Samah is an English teacher since 1990.She lives in Lattakia, the Syrian port city. She lives in the center of the old part of the city so the balcony of her bedroom is overlooking the Roman Arc of Victory, the Roman Columns of Bacchus and the green small park of Slebe – the area name. She used to live in Damascus, the capital of Syria but she moved to live with her mother two years ago. She has two brothers Ahmad", her brother, lives in Athens, "Hanadi", her sister, lives in Damascus, & "Mustafa", her brother, lives in Saudi Arabia. She is single but she has a big family in the school named” Princess Nora University”.
She is “Gemini “and you know that Gemini’s greatest strength is curiosity about a variety of interests and that made her brave enough to accept the challenges; she is such a power puff lady & Anti-depression person. Her multi-dimensional personality has another side to win the heart is “community service &volunteerism” and it is her passion too. She likes to connect, communicate and collaborate.

“Be the change you want to see" &” We are what we value" is her lifestyle. Have a quick review about her remarkable achievements as a freelancer is:

1990 to present

• Conducting "Conversation Cafe" with Hakeem Center in Lattakia where learners use Project-Based learning to improve English.
• Using 'Accelerated Learning Strategies', She is conducting courses on how to learn & enhance English in Lattakia, Tartous and Damascus. 3 courses have already been preformed successfully.

2007 -2008 Girls' Education Officer – UNICEF – UNV
The main tasks as a Girls' Education Officer:
*Develop the annual plan.
*Managed strategically and day-day work for the Syrian Program and The Iraqi Humanitarian Program.
*Formulated concept and action plans for School Development Plan Project, and Parents * Helped the Ministry of Education MOE and UNRWA to be on the same track in training the Child Friendly School cadres.
*Formulated concept and action plan for Intensive Learning Classes Project in the school located in the undeserved area which was approved and is implemented by the Ministry of Education.
*Participated in the design and later implemented the Adolescent Friendly Spaces Initiative.
*Developed the detailed action plan for ADAP in the Youth Union and Ministry of Culture Centers.
*Wrote the Tors for the Human Resources of ADAP Program.
*Managed the Round table Workshop, Youth Decision Makers & Programmers Workshop and Youth Service Providers Workshop.

The main tasks as a teacher are the usual day-day activities of grading papers, presenting the textbooks and the like. She is an nontraditional teacher who focuses on the communicative approach and project-based learning method to enhance students’ fluency she was one of the Dr. Nashat Hamarneh's crew when he was working on his published book, "History of Arab Medicine" – Damascus University publication. She presented Syria in iEARN conferences 2004-2007 where she did presentations on Project-Based Learning Method, Motivation and iEARN Projects.

Samah has ladder of career achievements with unstoppable steps.

2009 – to Teaching as a career
2006 - 2007 Teacher of English at Syrian Modern School- SMS
2000 to 2006 Teacher of English at Motafawiqeen School –
Ministry of Education
2000 to 2006 Teacher of English at Demashq Al Loghawi Center
for English- Damascus, where I taught all 'Headway's
Summer 2007 Teacher of English at Rawafed for Science - Zabadani
1992-1996 Teacher of English at Idrisi Center for English 1997 Teacher of English At ESP Center –
University of Damascusand cover the required textbook.

1992-1994 Interpreter at General Sport Federation

1993 A journalist for Al Manara Magazine covering

Family & Sport Sections

2005 – 2007 Manager of Human Resources at United for Exhibition and

Media Services - Syrian Medicare

2002 to present iEARN (International Education and Resources
Network www.iearn.org) Coordinator
www.iearnsyria.org

2005 to present The Art Miles Mural Project Coordinator
www.the-art-miles-mural-project.org

If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security. She was looking for a safe friendly space after moving around trying to find the perfect job for her. She said teaching is not a well-paid job but it is interesting. In 1990, a decent man who owns English center offered her job as a substitute teacher but it was the opportunity she captured. Teaching and being among learners helped her to discover the best of her.
She is magnetic & bionic lady but humble nature. When I asked her about her responsibilities towards family, she replied “Be the change you want to see and a value has a value when its value is valued so it is not responsibility or duty it is a life”. Being a Gemini person she is has duel personality extrovert and introvert at the same time .She needs her own space and she do care about her comfort zone. She is totally extrovert till the third eye pushes her to listen to the sound of silence.

Her proudest moment was, when she got gift presented by the students on Mother’s Day not on Teachers’ Day. It was a necklace with the name of Almighty Allah in Arabic. She is still wearing it. Same year she dedicated herself to Islam and started applying the Holy Quran as a lifestyle not only so Sorahs to recite.
Her inspiration in life is “A child smile, my students achievements, a freeze tear in an old eye, a dry flowerless field”.

After taking her digital interview, I was totally isolated and thought how much she is highly spirited lady. “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you’ll never have enough”. With in a short span of time she almost discovered the world of education like a colorful flying butterfly in search of “NICHE IN THE WORLD”.