New Educator Spotlight: Ali Ridha

Every week, we will be featuring one of our new LPS educators to get to know a little more about them and why they chose to be an educator. This week's New Educator Spotlight is Ali Ridha, English Language Learner (ELL) teacher at Lincoln Northeast High School.

Building/Department: Lincoln Northeast 

Teaching Assignment/Role: ELL

Why did you want to become an educator?
Growing up, I've always wanted a career that allows me to have a positive impact on the community and future generations.  When I was a kid, my grandpa used to take me with him to school. I got to experience what it was like to be an educator and I got to see firsthand the positive impact my grandpa had on his students. Another reason why I became an educator is because of the impact my teachers had on my life when I moved from Iraq to the United States at the age of seven.

What has been your favorite part of working for Lincoln Public Schools?
My favorite thing about working for LPS is being part of such a great community of leaders and educators. As a first-year teacher, the support that I've received from my ELL team, Northeast high school staff, and district leaders has been outstanding and it has set me up to be the best teacher and coach for my students. 

Did you attend Lincoln Public Schools as a student? If so, which school(s)?
Yes, I attended Goodrich Middle School & graduated from Lincoln North Star High School. 

Where did you attend college?
I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelors in Education and Human Sciences & a minor in coaching. 

What is your favorite part of being an educator?
My favorite thing about being an educator is being able to work with students that come from different backgrounds and cultures. As a teacher that was once a student in an ELL program, it is rewarding to see students excel in the classroom and succeed in their lives. 

Describe a time that you knew you made a difference for a student or group of students.  
A the end of my student teaching year, I received many letters & emails from my students saying that my classroom was a place where they felt they can work to their full potential and have their voices heard. This was rewarding for me because as an educator, my number one goal is for my students to succeed at school and in their lives. 

What is a fun fact about you?
A fun fact about myself is that I can read, write, and speak in two different languages (Arabic & English) and I am a semi-pro gamer!

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