Fatima H. Bailey
Due to sweeping educational reforms and the era of innovation and research, there has been a global paradigm shift regarding teacher preparation and education programs. This is particularly the case in the United Arab Emirates, where there has been a call for reform to teacher education programs due to the following: UAE Vision 2021, Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, the implementation of teacher licensing and credentialing, and the overhaul of curriculum and instruction. Future teachers are being prepared in teacher education programs to be culturally responsive and classroom ready. Cultural responsiveness is imperative as Emirati school children in are often taught by non-Emirati teachers who are new to the region and cultural context. As a result, the aims of teacher training programs have shifted focus, with innovation and collaboration as the main drivers. This report discusses this shift and highlights various approaches of a teacher education preparation program within the United Arab Emirates.