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NAME: Meera Talal

ID: H00467525

EDU 4033 - Global Ed and Instruc Ldrshp (202510_11626)

COURSE TEACHER: Slim Khemakhem

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I am studying on top of Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in Alain. My major is a Bachelor of Education in the field of Early Childhood Education. As I was studying, I have already conducted teaching practicums in kindergartens. The experiences helped me not only learn to handle a classroom but also come to know what it is like to be a child leader.

Indicatively, in one practicum, there was a student who was quite silent and never desired to read aloud. I began pronouncing to her short and easy words in case of group reading and complimented her each time she did. She also started to lift her hand in order to read with confidence after 2 weeks. That time I understood that leadership was about the possibility in other people and making it shine.

I would like to become a teacher-leader because I want children to become confident, curious and proud of what they learn. As I read the story of Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi and the role she played in supporting the youth and education in the country, I relate, as she made me aware that leading in the classroom is the first step towards leading in the society.

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Background Information and Summary of the Leader

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Background Information and Summary of the Leader

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Amal Al Qubaisi, MD, is one of the most outstanding UAE and Gulf women. She made history by becoming: The pioneer woman to be elected to the Federal National Council (FNC) was in 2006. She became the first woman to become the Speaker (President) of the FNC in 2015, the first time ever in the whole Arab world that a woman was elected to this position. Dr. Amal was also engaged in education before he ventured into politics. She was the Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) where she was working on the betterment of school, promotion of innovation in teaching, and policies to relate learning to the requirements of future of the UAE. The significance of her leadership is that she is a representation of women crossing the threshold in the political arena but she is also an advocate of the youth and education programs. As an example, she frequently talked giving Emirati youth more prominent role in nation building. This is related to the premise that education and politics are not two distinct entities but leadership on both sides.

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Leadership has various definitions by various scholars. According to Bolden (2004), leadership entails letting people do and achieve. According to Jones (2007), a leader is not just somebody who holds authority but a person who motivates others. In my own opinion, leadership is the ability to see the way and guide people, to support them and provide the possibility to evolve. Dr. Amal demonstrates such definition. She was not only concerned with her success when she was elected to become the Speaker of the FNC. Rather, she encouraged young people and women to enter into the world of public life, and she took advantage of her post to spread a better education among the future generations. This can be applicable as a future teacher by motivating my students. As an illustration, when I observe that one of the children is good in art, I will be able to encourage them to share their drawings with the rest of the classroom and provide them with a leadership task on art projects. This is just like the way Dr. Amal provided a platform to young Emiratis on the national scale.

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I like Dr. Amal because of several reasons: Being an Emirati woman, she was a pioneer. She was the first female Speaker to have been elected. I fantasize about the hard work it must have been to find oneself in the position where in most cases men had dominated over the years. But she was able to demonstrate her talent by experience, self-belief, and strength. This makes me feel that women (including me) have a chance to become successful even in the fields where people might not even think that we could. Being a teacher, she devoted her attention to young people. During her tenure as the head of ADEC, she developed the programs that enhanced the standard of education in the city of Abu Dhabi. As an illustration, school-based policies were designed to align with national objectives, including training students to get a future career in the fields of science, technology, and leadership (Alwari, 2024). Being a role model, she is courageous and dignified. Not only does she demonstrate that leadership does not involve yelling and controlling, but also that it involves standing by, respecting others and making a change in the community. Whenever I am reminded of her, I am proud to be Emirati. I understand that no one can be a leader due to age or gender, but one must be visionary and serve.

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The significance of Dr. Amal may be regarded in three aspects: In politics: She transformed the perceptions of women leaders. Alzaabi and Yaiche (1991) noted that the role of women in politics in the UAE began as a trial but leaders such as Dr. Amal made it a reality by being elected and then selected as Speaker. Her achievement indicates that Emirati women are able to play a role in decision making in the country. In education: The relation between leadership and schooling is demonstrated in her work in ADEC. As an example, she endorsed new teaching strategies and promoted policies that equipped Emirati young people to compete with the world (Alwari, 2024). In society: She broke barriers by being an empowering figure in the society. According to Rice (2017), empowering women in the Middle East implies making them visible in their leadership. Dr. Amal did just that and by so doing, she presented the younger women with the hope of visualizing themselves in the leadership position. This is a reminder to me that although my leadership might be on the classroom level as a teacher, I can still impact on how children view themselves as future leaders.

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How She Demonstrates Leadership Qualities

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How She Demonstrates Leadership Qualities

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Vision She felt that Emirati young people must play a greater part in the development of the country. The case in point, she frequently emphasized the reforms in the field of education that equipped students with the future. This demonstrates her vision in the future. Vision in my classroom implies the planning of the lessons in such a way that they are interesting now and, at the same time, develop the skills that the children will require the next day, i.e. confidence, collaboration, and creativity. Resilience Her first woman in high position meant that she had to struggle. However, she did not stop, but moved forward with assurance and professionalism until everybody in the FNC respected her. As a teacher, resilience refers to the attempt to redo not-successful lessons. When my students fail to grasp a subject I change my approach and redo it. Collaboration She worked in schools, families, and communities at ADEC. Education policies can only be successful when there is a collaboration. As in my case, collaboration refers to the ability to collaborate with other teachers, parents and even students in the effort to ensure they have a safe and supportive learning environment. Empowerment She relied on women and the youth through encouraging them to be part of the leadership. This is connected to transformational leadership that is concerned with providing inspiration and empowerment in others (Reed et al., 2019). In my classroom, I can empower children through allocating classroom roles to them such as group leaders and helpers.

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The significance of Dr. Amal may be observed in three aspects: In politics: She transformed the way people perceived women in leadership. Alzaabi and Yaiche (1991) suggest that women involvement in politics in the UAE began as an experiment but leaders such as Dr. Amal made it a reality as she was elected and subsequently appointed as Speaker. Her victory demonstrates that Emirati women are able to make a difference in the nation-level decision-making. In teaching: Her teaching experience in ADEC demonstrates the relationship between teacher leadership and education. In her example, she approved innovative instruction strategies and promoted policies that equipped Emirati young people to compete in the world (Alwari, 2024). In society: She broke the barrier to become an icon of empowerment. As Rice (2017) outlines, empowerment of women in the Middle East would imply providing them with the visibility in leadership. Dr. Amal did just that, and in the process, she left the door open to the younger generation of women to dream about assuming leadership positions. In my case, it serves as a reminder that, though I am a teacher and, hence, my leadership can be limited to the classroom sphere, I can still have an impact on how children perceive themselves as future leaders.

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PhD in Architecture PhD in Architecture is the first Emirati woman to achieve this degree. ADEC educational improvements are headed by the Director General of ADEC. 2006 -first woman to be elected into the FNC. 20152019- first woman Speaker of the FNC. The value of lifelong learning is demonstrated by her learning. As a teacher, personally, it is my reminder to never stop learning new techniques, visit a workshop, get better.

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She once emphasized that “the strength of the nation lies in its youth, and education is the key to unlock their potential.”

This connects to my practicum experience. I had a child who struggled with numbers. By giving him small steps, praising his progress, and using games, he slowly improved. This is proof that investing in children’s education really shapes the future — exactly what Dr. Amal believes.

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What I read:

I have read what she says in the FNC and what she does in ADEC. The relationship between national development and education was noted in most of her speeches. This taught me that politics does not just concern laws but it is also about providing the youth with opportunities. Indicatively, when she was talking about reforms in schools, she had associated them with the training of Emirati youth to be future leaders. This helped me understand that in my classroom when I am reading or teaching math it is not only the skills I am teaching but I am making the future leaders.

What I heard:

The news in the UAE in 2015, when she became Speaker, declared that it was a historic moment of Emirati women. I recall that I heard about it on TV with my family. My parents informed me that they were so proud that a woman had made such a high position in government. That was what made me understand that leadership transforms the way society feels. The success of one individual can be a motivation to thousands of others. In my case, this was the first experience I got to realize that women in the UAE can actually stand at eye level with men when it comes to leadership.

What I see:

When I look at Dr. Amal, I see a lady who is not only a leader but one who can be confident, and at the same time a dignified and respectful lady. To prove herself as a politician, she did not become aggressive and controlling. She was, instead, knowledgeable, calmed down and fair. As an example, she addressed the FNC members with respect when she headed the sessions and ensured that no voice was suppressed. This is an aspect that I can translate into my classroom: I have to respect the opinion of every child, and provide every child with an opportunity to share their opinion, regardless of whether they are shy or talkative.

What I feel:

I am inspired and motivated. In the event that she may be able to stand in the national council where there are challenges and responsibilities and still manage to implement some changes, then I can as well stand in my classroom and implement changes to my students. As an illustration, when dealing with a group of children who cannot easily concentrate, I can resort to innovative practices such as songs, group games, or storytelling. And just as she did not give up on her educational and youth dream, I will not give up on my students.

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Bolden (2004): Leadership is empowering. Dr. By demonstrating that women are capable of holding high political positions, Amal gave women and youth a better voice. As an illustration, her role as Speaker provided exposure to younger Emirati women who now feel that they can also take part in the political or educational leadership.

Jones (2007): Leaders, not boss. Dr. Amal had an impact on how the Emirati women are viewed in the society. She did not command as Speaker but set the culture. As an example, under her leadership, additional Emirati women were joining politics and education leadership.

Rice (2017): Middle East female empowerment is on the rise. Dr. Amal is an embodiment of empowerment. She demonstrated that women are not only symbolically involved but practically and effectively. This is relevant to my work as a teacher since empowering girls in the classroom (to speak, to present, and to lead) will equip them with the skills to feel empowered in the society.

Derks et al. (2016): The phenomenon of queen bee: It is warned that not all women leaders can remain close to junior women to defend their status. Dr. Amal did the opposite. She was always the champion of the youth and the female gender, mentoring and opening doors to them. Indicatively, she encouraged the youth councils and educational programs which directly engaged both Emirati girls and boys in the development of their own future.

Abdalla (2015): The leaders of the Gulf women demonstrate their endurance in respect to challenges posed by cultures. Dr. This is evident in Amal and his career. She had to endure the position of being the first woman to work in areas where men had only worked but she was capable of withstanding the pressure and gained respect. This is resilience that I would like to learn about her in my teaching profession.

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Abdalla, I. A. (2015). Being and becoming a leader: Arabian Gulf women managers' perspectives. International Journal of Business and Management, 10(1), 25.

Alwari, F. M. A. (2024). National Youth Development Policies in the UAE. UCL.

Alzaabi, M., & Yaiche, O. (1991). Women Political Participation: The Model of the UAE. Springer Nature Singapore.

Bolden, R. (2004). What is leadership? University of Exeter.

Derks, B., Van Laar, C., & Ellemers, N. (2016). The queen bee phenomenon. Leadership Quarterly, 27(3), 456–469.

Jones, M. (2007). What is a leader, anyway? EXCHANGE PRESS, 178, 74.

Rice, A. M. (2017). The Empowerment of Women in the Middle East.

Reed, B. N., Klutts, A. M., & Mattingly II, T. J. (2019). A systematic review of leadership definitions, competencies, and assessment. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 83(9), 7520.

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With my leadership:

Dr. Amal is a leader of a nation and I am a leader of a classroom. The scale is varied, but the qualities are identical. She had to have vision, strength, teamwork, and empowerment and so do I.

Vision: She developed policies on the youth. I prepare lesson plans to children. Both aim to shape the future.

Strength: She made it through politics. When children are misbehaving or the lesson is not going on I have to remain patient.

Cooperation: She cooperated with government and schools. I deal with students, teachers, and parents.

Empowerment: She empowered young people to enter into the world of politics. My style of empowerment of my students includes granting them roles, complimenting their work, and making them feel good about themselves.

With Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi:

Dr. Amal and Sheikha Lubna both are pioneers of the Emirati women. Sheikha Lubna was oriented on economy, technology and tolerance whereas Dr. Amal was oriented on politics, youth, and education. Collectively, they reveal that Emirati women are able to be at the forefront in all aspects of society.

For example:

Sheikha Lubna employed innovation through the formation of Tejari.com. This demonstrates leadership in the online economy.

Dr. Amal employed policy-making through his leadership of FNC. This depicts governance and law leadership.

They both prove that women are not restricted to a single kind of leadership - they can become a leader in most areas.

Personal Character Strengths of Dr. Amal

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Bravery: When she appeared at the FNC amidst the men, she had the audacity to raise her voice. I would like to acquire the skills of delivering speeches to big crowds either at school meetings or at conferences or workshops.

Policy thinking: She recognized the relationship of education and national development. I would like to know how to think not merely on my classroom, but also on how schools can be considered a part of the larger picture. As an example, in case the UAE is encouraging innovation, I would like that my lessons will be creative and problem-solving.

Mentoring: She gave power to the youth. I would like to mentor children, particularly struggling children and mentor younger teachers with my experiences. I might, as an example, mentor student teachers when they are on practicum.

Teamwork: She has collaborated with most of the stakeholders at ADEC. I would like to work using cooperation with parents, other teachers, and community members. As an instance, a classroom project that requires parents to participate in narrating stories or cultural activities would enhance these relationships.

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The leadership of Dr. Amal Al Qubais is strong since it unites politics, education, empowerment, and service. Not only is she the first woman to be a Speaker of the FNC but also a role model who demonstrated that women are capable of breaking the rules and leading with pride.

In my case, her story is not merely history, but my lesson in the future. She educates me that leadership entails:

Vision: having the future and planning in advance.

Virtue: standing up to adversity.

Empowerment: providing others with an opportunity to develop.

Service: serving the community.

I would be like her as a future teacher empowering children, helping them feel confident, and motivating them to become leaders in their own manner. As she stood in the nation council to change things, I will also be able to do the same in my classroom each day to change the life of my students.