Carine EL Yamani

Head of English Department; RISE Lead (Research and Innovation for Sustainable Education) - Saint Mary's Orthodox College

Carine El Yamani is a teacher at heart and an educational leader with over 23 years of experience at Saint Mary’s Orthodox College in Lebanon. She has served as Head of the English Department since 2013 and currently chairs the Accreditation Steering Committee, leading her school through its accreditation journey. Carine leads the RISE project, Research and Innovation for Sustainable Education, an innovative initiative that integrates research, innovation, and interdisciplinary learning to advance educational practice and empower educators. She has also contributed her expertise through active service on numerous committees and boards, helping shape policies and practices that advance teaching, learning, and school culture. With a deep commitment to curriculum development, teacher growth, and learner-centered education, Carine is dedicated to inspiring educators and fostering sustainable models of leadership and learning.

Speaker Sessions

GESS Talks Live 1628

Nov 12 2025 | 2:05pm - 2:50pm

Panel Session: Stories from the Trenches: Supporting Early Career Teachers

Session Summary:

This panel will centre the voices of early career teachers as they share personal narratives that reflect the realities of entering the profession today, their aspirations, the challenges they face, and the ways they are growing through experience. Too often, the perspectives of beginning educators are underrepresented in professional dialogues, despite the valuable insights they bring from the front lines of the classroom.

Through authentic storytelling, panelists will illuminate the tensions between preparation and practice, the need for responsive mentorship, and the importance of feeling seen and supported during the critical early years of teaching. The session will also open space for discussion on how schools and systems can more effectively retain early career teachers, not through generic programs or rigid frameworks, but through intentional, relational support that honors their evolving identities as educators.

Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of new teachers and some actionable ideas for fostering inclusive, empowering environments that nurture their development and strengthen the profession as a whole.

Speakers:

Professor Rana Tamim | Professor, CEO and Founder - University of Toronto & EduBridges
Carine EL Yamani | Head of English Department; RISE Lead (Research and Innovation for Sustainable Education) - Saint Mary's Orthodox College
Yamna Kamal | Grade 2 Homeroom Teacher - Al Rayana Charter School
Taiba Albahrani | Lead Learning Resource Specialist - Yas School