About the Teacher
Nice to meet you!
Hello! My name is Maryam Ghobadi and I'm an English as a Second Language teacher in Northern Virginia. I work primarily with middle school age students, but I'm an experienced educator with practice working in preK-Postsecondary environments. I'm originally from Miami Beach, Florida and graduated with a bachelor of arts in English Literature from Florida State University. I'm currently working toward my masters degree in education from the University of Virginia.
One of my long-term professional goals is to earn a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Literacy education. It is my hope that I will work as a Curriculum Supervisor someday and achieve educational equity in the public school system by providing high expectations regardless of the challenges students in the K-12 public school system may encounter. I believe that designing highly effective curriculum that prepares each student for postsecondary education is the best and only way to truly close the achievement gap so that every child graduates with a quality education.
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that every school-age child deserves a quality education and teachers and school leaders who believe that they are important and that they matter. I am passionate about providing my students with the best opportunities to learn and that no child should ever feel marginalized or intimidated by the idea of achieving a college education at well respected undergraduate institution. My values include closing the achievement gap for minority students in large urban school districts. These students are often made to feel small and insignificant, but worse than that, students frequently grow into adulthood thinking that it's too hard and that their not smart enough. I make it my mission to create a safe but rigorous environment for my students to learn everything that is expected of them. When educators believe in their students and set high expectations, students will almost always rise to the occasion and believe that indeed they are capable of great things.
Professional Experience
English as a Second Language Teacher
Arlington Public Schools - Arlington, VA (August 2023 - present)
Computer Science Teacher
Doctors Charter School of Miami Shores - Miami Shores, FL (August 2021 - June 2023)
Secondary English Teacher
Doctors Charter School of Miami Shores - Miami Shores, FL (August 2020 - June 2021)
Postsecondary Education
University of Virginia
Master of Teaching in English as a Second Language (Spring 2025)
Florida State University
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature (May 2006)