May 24, 2025

University of Chicago

Saieh Hall, Room 146

5757 S University Ave

Chicago, IL, 60637

 

Schedule

9:00-9:30am: Welcome and Breakfast

 

9:30-11:30am: “Empowering Multilingual Learners through Project-Based Learning and AI-Supported Instruction”

Rolla Elsaiary, EdD

Rolla Elsaiary is an Assistant Principal in the Arabic Immersion Magnet School, holds a Doctorate in Educational Practice and Innovation from the University of South Carolina, with a focus on STEM and Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTL) education. With over 13 years of experience in financial management and eight years of dedicated service to students and families in the Houston area, Rolla brings both leadership and passion to her work in education. As an active researcher, she has published on topics such as bilingual education, STEM integration, and the application of AI in learning.

 

11:45am-12:00pm: Break

12:00-1:00pm: Keynote- “The Power to Inspire: Creating a Culture of Leadership in Education”

Juman Al Bukhari, EdD, PhD

Dr. Juman Al Bukhari is an accomplished linguist, educator, and transformational leader with a distinguished academic career and professional background. Prior to her current role at Washington University in St. Louis as a Senior Consultant in Learning and Development, she was as a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at the University of North Georgia. She brings extensive expertise in Second language acquisition including Modern Standard Arabic and Arabic dialect instruction, alongside a strong foundation in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

With dual doctoral degrees—a Ph.D. in Linguistics and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Practice—Dr. Al Bukhari blends subject matter expertise with a strategic understanding of teaching, learning, and institutional advancement. Her professional portfolio spans professional development, leadership development, language instruction, linguistics, equity and inclusion, teaching excellence, study abroad, immersive learning programs, and grant writing. Notably, she has led initiatives such as a 3-year English language program in Jordan funded by the U.S. Department of State, that showcased her global impact and dedication to cross-cultural education. Dr. Juman Al Bukhari is widely recognized for her transformational leadership skills: inspiring, serving, and motivating others through a shared vision of growth and excellence. She leads with empathy, cultivates collaboration, and empowers individuals to realize their potential. Her keynote presentation, The Power to Inspire: Creating a Culture of Leadership in Education, will draw on her interdisciplinary expertise, passion for lifelong learning, and commitment to meaningful change to inspire teachers to be leaders who foster a culture of leadership in education by developing students as leaders in teaching and learning.

1:00-2:00pm: Lunch

2:00-4:00pm: “Drop by Drop, Fill Up the Cup: Actively Teaching Vocabulary and Common Core in Islamic Schools”

Samar Ghannoum

Abstract: “Drop by Drop, Fill Up the Cup” explores the critical importance of vocabulary instruction in the teaching of Arabic as a foreign language, particularly within Islamic school settings. Vocabulary, which was once considered a minor aspect of language learning, is now recognized as central to the acquisition process. It encompasses not just words, but also their meanings, spelling, pronunciation, usage, and grammatical context. This session underscores the value of targeted vocabulary instruction and its alignment with Common Core standards, which enhance literacy, critical thinking, and academic language across various subjects. Educators will discover practical, culturally responsive strategies to effectively teach vocabulary in ways that support both language acquisition and academic success. By integrating Common Core principles with language instruction, we ensure that students in the “Drop-by-Drop” workshop build a strong linguistic foundation necessary for success in the classroom and effective communication in the real world

Learning Objectives / Key Takeaways

• Understand the evolving role of vocabulary in teaching Arabic as a foreign language instruction and its foundational place in student success.
• Explore effective methods for teaching vocabulary that engage students in meaningful, active learning.
• Learn how to integrate Common Core standards into Arabic Quran and Islamic Studies instruction to support interdisciplinary literacy goals.
• Gain practical, classroom-ready strategies for scaffolding vocabulary development across grade levels.
• Discover how culturally responsive teaching can enhance vocabulary retention and student engagement in Islamic school contexts.