Author: Rusul Alrubail

My name is Rusul, I founded Parkdale Centre in early 2017, to fill the accessibility and inclusivity gap to innovation, tech and entrepreneurship, especially for underrepresented groups: women, newcomers and those from low-income backgrounds. Before Parkdale Centre, I co-founded The Writing Project, a student publishing platform used in the U.S. by educators and students to amplify student voice and help students become better writers. During that time, I worked as an Educator-in-Residence, supporting community engagement at a design thinking agency that works with organizations on strategy and design. I taught English composition and literature at Ryerson University and Seneca College for a combined 10 years experience. I have written with Edutopia, Education Week, The Guardian, PBS Newshour, The International Literacy Association, EdWeek Teacher, Teaching Tolerance, ASCD's Educational Leadership, Edsurge, Annenberg Learner Foundation, and Medium which I helped to grow its largest education community from 7000 to 47000 readers! I was recently named as one of Canada's 2020 Top 100 Most Powerful Women for WXN's Awards. I am a three times published author, keynote speaker and an advocate for equity and inclusion. You can connect with me on twitter @RusulAlrubail, or reach out via email at rusul@parkdaleinnovates.org

Where are my people at?

April 30, 2015June 11, 2015 ~ Rusul Alrubail ~ 5 Comments

I used to participate in Twitter chats often. My favourites were #whatisschool & #edchat, a few others too but those mainly. They weren't really my favourite so much as that they happened at the right time. When I used to be go on these chats, most people are generally friendly & kind. I am still … Continue reading Where are my people at?

What’s a Thesis Statement?

April 5, 2015May 1, 2015 ~ Rusul Alrubail ~ 1 Comment

This was my first post on Edutopia: What's a Thesis Statement? It contains questions to consider along with steps to follow with examples along the way. Tells the reader your opinion / point of view / interpretation of the subject under discussion. Indicates the direction the essay will take by stating the main points. Makes … Continue reading What’s a Thesis Statement?

My thoughts on “Syrian Journey” & why it’s problematic

April 1, 2015April 5, 2015 ~ Rusul Alrubail ~ 2 Comments

Today I came across and interactive called Syrian Journey, it's a "choose your own adventure" type of interactive game that allows the user to choose their own path if they were a Syrian refugee. The purpose, while very vaguely stated, is supposed to help the users to "understand the real dilemmas" of the Syrian refugees. … Continue reading My thoughts on “Syrian Journey” & why it’s problematic

3 Ways to Lead your own Professional Development

March 31, 2015March 31, 2015 ~ Rusul Alrubail ~ 2 Comments

Last year I joined twitter after following a conference hashtag. It was then that a whole world of professional learning opportunity opened up to me. I was listening to an interview that someone shared on my twitter feed, and that interview was about EdCamps and how they are such powerful forms of professional development, where … Continue reading 3 Ways to Lead your own Professional Development

Moments learned from #HipHopSTEM

March 29, 2015March 31, 2015 ~ Rusul Alrubail ~ Leave a comment

https://twitter.com/RusulAlrubail/status/581474270691270656 On Friday March 27 I was part of HipHopSTEM: a HipHop Education STEMposium. The day was composed of workshops for the students and teachers, a keynote by Dr. Chris Emdin, and a motivational/talent HipHop show. I co-facilitated a workshop with Mustefa Jo'shen. https://twitter.com/mustefaJ/status/581449783270895617 Our workshop's purpose was to empower students through their favourite music. … Continue reading Moments learned from #HipHopSTEM

Apologize for being you

March 21, 2015March 29, 2015 ~ Rusul Alrubail ~ 3 Comments

I read this article last night and it literally made me sick on so many levels. The ignorance of people and racist ideologies are one thing to deal with outside of school, but when your classmates, teachers, your entire school is racist that's another thing. A student recited the US pledge of allegiance in Arabic, … Continue reading Apologize for being you

How to Advocate for Teachers

March 10, 2015March 21, 2015 ~ Rusul Alrubail ~ 5 Comments

Teaching is an isolating career. I didn't realize this until I stepped outside of the teaching industry into a new industry, and reflected back on my teaching positions. I realized I have been working and teaching in isolation the whole time: all of my 8 years of teaching experience have been me in the classroom, … Continue reading How to Advocate for Teachers

New Google+ Community

March 10, 2015March 10, 2015 ~ Rusul Alrubail ~ Leave a comment

Why did you become a teacher? What inspired you? motivated you? drove you to become a teacher? If you were to go back to your first teaching days, what advice would you give to yourself? I created a Google+ community called The Heart of Teaching. The community was triggered after seeing the discussion on my … Continue reading New Google+ Community

#DearMe: Advice to my 13 year old self

March 8, 2015March 10, 2015 ~ Rusul Alrubail ~ 7 Comments

If I can go back to my 13 year old self and give her advice here is what I would say: You are beautiful inside and out. Don't worry about what others think, just be yourself and that's what will make you great. Boys will come and go, the ones who won't break your heart … Continue reading #DearMe: Advice to my 13 year old self

What dreams are made of…

March 4, 2015March 10, 2015 ~ Rusul Alrubail ~ Leave a comment

Are you a dreamer? Do you dream often? Do you day dream? Do you remember your dreams when you wake up? Do your dreams speak to you? give you perspective? do they inspire you? I am a dreamer... I day-dream a lot. But I also dream a lot. Most of my dreams are forgotten, but … Continue reading What dreams are made of…