Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders visited Oak Lawn Community High School on Friday, September 6, 2024, to explore the school’s distinguished Arabic language program. The visit highlighted the state's dedication to enhancing educational diversity and supporting effective language instruction.
Oak Lawn High School’s Arabic program launched in 2019, under the direction of Marwa Elmasry, World language/Arabic teacher and the 2022 Illinois Bilingual Teacher of the Year, has rapidly gained recognition for its comprehensive curriculum and innovative teaching methods. The program combines advanced language courses with cultural immersion experiences, aimed at equipping students with both linguistic proficiency and a deep understanding of Arab culture.
Dr. Sanders’ visit was marked by a series of activities aimed at showcasing the program’s impact. The Superintendent engaged with students and staff in interactive sessions and participated in a roundtable discussion with District and school administrators. The visit included a presentation by Marwa Elmasry, showcasing the Arabic programs' curriculum, teaching methods, and the significance of learning Arabic at global, national and local levels in addition to student presentations demonstrating their proficiency in Arabic and their understanding of Arab culture and history.
"My students were deeply moved by Dr. Sanders' genuine interest, not only in learning about the Arabic language program but also in getting to know them personally as students." said Marwa Elmasry
“We are delighted to host Dr. Sanders and share the successes of our Arabic program,” said Superintendent Shahe Bagdasarian. “His visit underscores the importance of language education and encourages us to continue our commitment to providing students with exceptional learning opportunities. We believe that learning a world language not only prepares our students for a global economy but also deepens their appreciation for different cultures.”
Dr. Sanders’ visit reinforces Illinois’ commitment to advancing educational excellence and highlights the significance of multilingual programs in developing well-rounded, globally-conscious students.