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
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