Saturday, June 12, 2010
A Tribute to a Dear Friend and TESOL Arabia Past President
Christine Coombe, Dubai Men's College
For me as an ELT professional, the last few years have been characterized by a number of writing projects and as such I have been fairly prolific. However, this piece, a tribute to my dearest friend and TESOL Arabia Past President, Dr Lisa Barlow, has been the most difficult thing I have ever had to write.
From a personal perspective, knowing and working with Lisa has been a pleasure and has had an impact on my growth as an educator. The very first day I walked into the new offices in UGRU at the UAE University, Lisa took me under her wing, made me feel welcome and showed me the ropes—something she has done for countless people before and after me. Similarly, her quiet and often behind-the-scenes presence at TESOL Arabia events made literally thousands of teachers feel welcome. For me personally, to say that I would not be where I am today without her is an understatement. Lisa has been with me through the many successes I have experienced as an English language educator and has supported me even more through my failures. In fact, I would not be President-elect of TESOL if she had not encouraged me to run a second time.
Earlier this year, Lisa was nominated and received the highly-coveted TESOL Arabia Professional Service Award. This award is intended for an ELT professional who has made a significant impact on the organization and on professional development in the region. In my view, no one has been more deserving of this award than Dr Lisa Barlow who has demonstrated long-term commitment to the organization of TESOL Arabia, including the Executive Council, SIGs, Chapters and the Annual Conferences.
Lisa faithfully served TESOL Arabia since 1997 in a variety of roles, including and most notably, President. She also served the organization as Executive Treasurer, Member-at-Large, Vice President and Past President. Her vast contributions also extend to the annual conferences. She was a frequent presenter at all of our conferences and served as Proposals Chair for many years. Her contributions also extend to the Special Interest Groups, where she served on the TAE SIG Committee for a number of years. Despite a very full teaching schedule, Lisa always managed to share her expertise at a number of SIG and Chapter events throughout the year. Most recently, Lisa was a co-grantee on a US State Department Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) grant which allocated monies for the Teacher Leadership Academy in May 2009 and 2010 and the Leadership in ELT online course.
I am both proud and sad to write this tribute to honor Dr Lisa Barlow’s commitment to her students, the TESOL Arabia organization and to the profession. For me, the loss of her wise advice, sharp wit and smiling face is a profound one as it is for many of her colleagues and friends. The way she handled the devastating news of her illness and the last few months of her life, even managing to finish her doctoral dissertation, was for me truly inspirational. I can only hope that when my time comes Lisa will be waiting for me at the pearly gates ready once again to welcome me, make me feel at home and show me the ropes a second time.
Rest in Peace, Dear Lisa. You will be missed.
Reprinted from TESOL Arabia Perspectives, June 2010 (Volume 17, Issue 2) -- http://www.tesolarabia.org
Thursday, June 10, 2010
CTELT 2006
Thanks to John Langille for sending in this picture of Lisa at CTELT 2006. Lisa was almost a fixture at CTELT and the TESOL Arabia conferences. You could always expect to see her working the registration desk, or helping out presenters. And she always had her smile ready to greet anyone who needed help.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Lisa's Gravesite
I was able to visit Lisa's gravesite in Blackfoot, Idaho on Tuesday, June 8th, with her mother and brother and sister-in-law. There is no headstone yet, and they had to wait for the ground to dry out a little before they could replace the sod on her grave because of the rain, but it was nice to be able to pay my respects and visit with her family. As I get more pictures, I will post them here.
This picture shows her mother, her sister-in-law, Carol, and her brother, Bob.
In Memory of Lisa Barlow
Lisa Barlow, 51, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2010 at the Nathan Adelson Hospice Care Center in Las Vegas, after a valiant battle with cancer.
Lisa was born September 29, 1958 to Newell Fullmer Barlow and Wilma Murdock Barlow in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She spent her childhood in Las Vegas and Reno. Graduating from Reno High School in Reno, Nevada.
Lisa was an amazing scholar and teacher. She was fluent in French and Arabic. After receiving her Bachelor degree from Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, then she went on to get her Masters degree in International Relations from the University of Chicago and her Doctorate of Education at the University of Exeter in England. Lisa was an English professor, teaching in many different cities and countries, including Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. In her free time she enjoyed sightseeing. Lisa was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Lisa is survived by her mother, Wilma of Las Vegas, Nevada; brother, Bob (Carol) Barlow of Las Vegas, Nevada; niece, Jessica Potter; nephew, Andrew Barlow; and great nieces, Brooklyn Potter and Daysie Barlow. Lisa is preceded in death by her father, Fullmer.
A graveside service was held on Monday, June 7, 2010 at the Riverside-Thomas Cemetery in Blackfoot, Idaho. Family met with friends and relatives for one hour prior to services at the Hawker Funeral Home, 132 South Shilling Avenue in Blackfoot. Condolences may be sent to the family at condolences@hawkerfuneralhome.com.
Adapted from an obituary published in Reno Gazette-Journal on June 5, 2010
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