Highlights of the 2012 Parental Engagement Week include school visits from Dr. Karen Mapp and Dr. Raymond Hamden, among the many guest speakers who will educate and challenge our GEMS parents.

Dr. Karen Mapp

Dr. Karen L. Mapp is a lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her expertise is in the areas of educational leadership, and partnerships among schools, families, and community. She is co-author of numerous publications including, "Beyond the Bake Sale: the Essential Guide to Family/School Partnerships," and "A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement." An enthusiastic speaker, and authority on home-school partnerships, one of her recent articles is entitled, "Debunking the myth of the hard to reach parent."

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Speaking Topics

"The powerful partnership between school and parents: How to raise student achievement and build community"

Dr. Mapp will also discuss, "Solutions to the barriers which stand in the way of parents who want to support their children's learning"

Dr. Raymond Hamden

Born in the United States, Ph.D. Raymond Hamden has practiced psychology in Washington, D.C. since 1979. In 1990, Dr. Hamden established a professional psychology practice in the United Arab Emirates. With Arabic roots and conversational Arabic skills, he provides diverse cross-cultural services in Clinical, Forensic, Educational, and Organizational Psychology. He also consults on Domestic Relations, Crisis Intervention, and Trauma. Dr. Hamden is Director of the Human Relations Institute Dubai, and the familiar voice of "In The Psychologist's Chair" ® radio show on 103.8 DubaiEye and VoiceAmerica broadband station.

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Speaking Topics

"Giving your child the world: Helping your child achieve their highest potential"

Naemma Jiwani

Licensed Child Development Psychologist, Human Relations Institute Dubai. Also a regular speaker on 103.8 DubaiEye, "ABC Phycology" radio show. Passionate about speaking to parents of primary students.

Speaking Topics

A. "PREP - Positive Resourceful Effective Parenting"
B. "Reflecting on and developing your style of parenting"

Devika Singh

Licensed Psychological Consultant, Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre. Passionate about speaking on culture and genration gap issues faced by parents/teens in the community.

Speaking Topics

A. "How to encourage your child, when you don't feel like it"
B. "How to talk to your teenager"

Therese Sequeira

Parent Educator, at The Parenting PLACE @kidsFIRST. Frequently speaks to parents in GEMS schools and is highly recommended for sessions with parents of young and middle year students.

Speaking Topics

A. "Triple P: Power of Positive Parenting"
B. "Raising confident and resilient children"
C. "Positive discipline and setting limits"

Sabine Rizk-Skaf

An expert in Clinical and Developmental Psychology for the Human Relations Institute Dubai, Sabine specializes in psycho-educational assessment for children through to adults. With Arabic roots and experience throughout the region, Sabine is fluent in English, French and Arabic and highly recommended for sessions with the Arabic speaking community.

Speaking Topics

"Parent Engagement in the Arab family/culture: How to work with your parents/children for greater success"

Femida Hirji

Counselor at Human Relations Institute Dubai. Specializes in sessions for parents with potentially high risk teens with more serious social-emotional or behavioural concerns.

Speaking Topics

Understanding the modern teenager: What's normal? What's extreme? How to cope?"

Alaa Abuali

An experienced Counselor at the  Rashid Hospital Dubai, Alaa is highly recommended for sessions with parents and students in the Arab community. Her talks to parents are infused with personal insight and professional experience with the local and regional culture. 

Speaking Topics

"Culture/Generation Gap and Parent Engagement in the Arab family/culture: How to work with your parents/children for greater success"

GEMS Parental Engagement Week Venues

Please click on the name of the relevant school to be directed to their website.