![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ERPG2PJ4NBESZGH2LPZX2I6OLI.jpg?smart=true&auth=60a696bb0a5bcda2eed465892d4d3d4c10d24b7568085264a7966e5a334f7c58&width=400&height=225)
Pupils deep in concentration during a lesson at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5O5XY464BFKDHIIMF52IXUV4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=80231d512d7387caabe7278e0dd5015c82f718441a79b6895d1665a1d2052678&width=400&height=225)
An in-class lesson at American Academy for Girls in Dubai. Some Dubai schools are open for in-person classes. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OYU434MC7ZAOJGBYUYXOWO6DC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=df15cb35d3a887530ec46069689c287dd26a2e31976e42f0184a4dd82c545351&width=400&height=225)
Lisa Johnson, headteacher at American Academy for Girls, Dubai.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EL6SEN2M3JDODKZLC7FJBD2BIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=489687ef24e971f1726527eee72715ce0f57e907c56b998c50d517e6bd7572e6&width=400&height=225)
Ms Johnson said said she has ensured classroom layouts at the American Academy for Girls are flexible, to allow teachers to tailor sessions.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YCFPTPUPUZAEPNFTCBPR6NB3CY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f919ec768aefe52bef42a1f67815a601c34b0260827e423223fdb1b5b0dd28ee&width=400&height=225)
Pupils at American Academy for Girls in Dubai. Depending on the lesson, teachers might have most pupils attending in person or online.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PU2MBDGA5RGGFCDF2FEKJZEZOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c11ba0f686a60afc9b490ac11640206c7b2e1e07dcd4b20313c72ee87b7b062&width=400&height=225)
While some grades at the academy around 80 per cent pupils attending in-person classes, others have only 10 per cent.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3FOULNQQYNEETAXWHV4CSDWUFI.jpg?smart=true&auth=922a4f618979e3bac1af2d483b255ccd14c2a81cbc92874f84a6af49a74d37b1&width=400&height=225)
Pupils listen to their teacher at American Academy for Girls in Dubai.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UKCHOYJWAZA4BKNIHEUGZ74YPQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=174af1d959b74664265f4ea31ebea215323de05f76dc5ea36e1eb99ef5614b87&width=400&height=225)
American Academy for Girls teachers say keeping all pupils engaged is more challenging when facing a mix of in-person and remote learners.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/36HIFHN5XNFJ5IB4JJCIKQPY2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=659edb9863d40d78177f07a934630b03188813c1de777a8438640d127585132f&width=400&height=225)
A pupil takes a break at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PYG5C7JZRNEEZOKFTQABYP7AZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=789b0582d9d93036fe64d3bb0de48bd34a25af5640694f34d82aa7e8b1f0279c&width=400&height=225)
Pupils arrive for lessons at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/463FQFRT5VCKJAKKMQ5UUZNPPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=943db28f3a5b99d0e41f0594ba655b3a022f77545e30ee2f383b72a462c7bb01&width=400&height=225)
Pupils hard at work at American Academy for Girls. Headteacher Lisa Johnson said logistical changes were planned during the winter break.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N23K5L7TYFGHZFP7KSO2VUHVAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=bff1e5eaf72c5c313fc2a6a7c88e2534c4a8d3783a763b02bb6acf6a2552883e&width=400&height=225)
American Academy for Girls in Dubai.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FCBTPJYVTRCRJBLTJPGFAP5VHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=52d9ffcbd8a5ff670a0473a4c1e61439b78426e9f34014d899e0dd35a0f3174c&width=400&height=225)
A teacher and pupil at American Academy for Girls. Teachers have had to adapt quickly to a new way of doing things, say staff.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X7YJGXIIJBHW3OEDG6XCS7EGBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a429fe54a60620c3a423b2919fb3bf7c5bfcadb53ce699ffdbf00537051a970b&width=400&height=225)
A pupil busy at lessons at American Academy for Girls in Dubai. Teachers say teaching remotely can make it more difficult to challenge a student who is doing really well, to deepen their understanding.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OZAXCDAU65CQRC3Z45MRCEWN54.jpg?smart=true&auth=39636a16c7bc44630f91c5754db96d5ac674950666c30c526cdb8a6cc74c25c9&width=400&height=225)
Having fun at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W2WETVETQZDAJBYADQCRIQJ4RE.jpg?smart=true&auth=a96d14cc9fbc0ee17681e39caad2bf7088a572e84a8c5e8e89e8fa6486d88785&width=400&height=225)
Pupils arrive for classes at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HYPOKGSMINGRHI3WXYVZXZUPMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b109299599de0e9642be2ef1bee4b05ebf45d8cfb2dec2c1cc5bf9441fda0f6&width=400&height=225)
Pupils arrive for in-person classes at American Academy for Girls in Dubai. Some classes have four-fifths of pupils attending.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KDIZMM52OVGTNNHDPRKRGYHHOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e03baf3d9a5cd3aa7683b52e4c317983d658db0c1ca22cc971f5479c82a32253&width=400&height=225)
Practising balancing skills during break at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PWEDDRDTVFHDFJTHDEMCWMFJ7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=3e8f56cd13b14e73fa1b77172612cea8acdd5bb1a28580ec36fec5023bd634c0&width=400&height=225)
Arriving for lessons at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3XHVALXOXFEAHFNEOOU6WDFYXM.jpg?smart=true&auth=504d980a4769952949000fc076dd40da1c8a39bc4d180cf7fa9e00cc2ec9d8b0&width=400&height=225)
Laptops for lessons American Academy for Girls in Dubai. Technology has bridged the gap between pupils attending in person and those learning remotely.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SPSZW6T27JEZJKDZGZJXBN5RLI.jpg?smart=true&auth=06343fcdabd9549d92b2b6fea3c99b0b30fad002857d965ad5dd080050f8de5a&width=400&height=225)
Pupils get creative during class at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ERPG2PJ4NBESZGH2LPZX2I6OLI.jpg?smart=true&auth=60a696bb0a5bcda2eed465892d4d3d4c10d24b7568085264a7966e5a334f7c58&width=400&height=225)
Pupils deep in concentration during a lesson at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A5O5XY464BFKDHIIMF52IXUV4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=80231d512d7387caabe7278e0dd5015c82f718441a79b6895d1665a1d2052678&width=400&height=225)
An in-class lesson at American Academy for Girls in Dubai. Some Dubai schools are open for in-person classes. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OYU434MC7ZAOJGBYUYXOWO6DC4.jpg?smart=true&auth=df15cb35d3a887530ec46069689c287dd26a2e31976e42f0184a4dd82c545351&width=400&height=225)
Lisa Johnson, headteacher at American Academy for Girls, Dubai.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EL6SEN2M3JDODKZLC7FJBD2BIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=489687ef24e971f1726527eee72715ce0f57e907c56b998c50d517e6bd7572e6&width=400&height=225)
Ms Johnson said said she has ensured classroom layouts at the American Academy for Girls are flexible, to allow teachers to tailor sessions.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YCFPTPUPUZAEPNFTCBPR6NB3CY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f919ec768aefe52bef42a1f67815a601c34b0260827e423223fdb1b5b0dd28ee&width=400&height=225)
Pupils at American Academy for Girls in Dubai. Depending on the lesson, teachers might have most pupils attending in person or online.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PU2MBDGA5RGGFCDF2FEKJZEZOI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c11ba0f686a60afc9b490ac11640206c7b2e1e07dcd4b20313c72ee87b7b062&width=400&height=225)
While some grades at the academy around 80 per cent pupils attending in-person classes, others have only 10 per cent.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3FOULNQQYNEETAXWHV4CSDWUFI.jpg?smart=true&auth=922a4f618979e3bac1af2d483b255ccd14c2a81cbc92874f84a6af49a74d37b1&width=400&height=225)
Pupils listen to their teacher at American Academy for Girls in Dubai.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UKCHOYJWAZA4BKNIHEUGZ74YPQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=174af1d959b74664265f4ea31ebea215323de05f76dc5ea36e1eb99ef5614b87&width=400&height=225)
American Academy for Girls teachers say keeping all pupils engaged is more challenging when facing a mix of in-person and remote learners.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/36HIFHN5XNFJ5IB4JJCIKQPY2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=659edb9863d40d78177f07a934630b03188813c1de777a8438640d127585132f&width=400&height=225)
A pupil takes a break at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PYG5C7JZRNEEZOKFTQABYP7AZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=789b0582d9d93036fe64d3bb0de48bd34a25af5640694f34d82aa7e8b1f0279c&width=400&height=225)
Pupils arrive for lessons at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/463FQFRT5VCKJAKKMQ5UUZNPPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=943db28f3a5b99d0e41f0594ba655b3a022f77545e30ee2f383b72a462c7bb01&width=400&height=225)
Pupils hard at work at American Academy for Girls. Headteacher Lisa Johnson said logistical changes were planned during the winter break.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N23K5L7TYFGHZFP7KSO2VUHVAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=bff1e5eaf72c5c313fc2a6a7c88e2534c4a8d3783a763b02bb6acf6a2552883e&width=400&height=225)
American Academy for Girls in Dubai.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FCBTPJYVTRCRJBLTJPGFAP5VHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=52d9ffcbd8a5ff670a0473a4c1e61439b78426e9f34014d899e0dd35a0f3174c&width=400&height=225)
A teacher and pupil at American Academy for Girls. Teachers have had to adapt quickly to a new way of doing things, say staff.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X7YJGXIIJBHW3OEDG6XCS7EGBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a429fe54a60620c3a423b2919fb3bf7c5bfcadb53ce699ffdbf00537051a970b&width=400&height=225)
A pupil busy at lessons at American Academy for Girls in Dubai. Teachers say teaching remotely can make it more difficult to challenge a student who is doing really well, to deepen their understanding.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OZAXCDAU65CQRC3Z45MRCEWN54.jpg?smart=true&auth=39636a16c7bc44630f91c5754db96d5ac674950666c30c526cdb8a6cc74c25c9&width=400&height=225)
Having fun at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W2WETVETQZDAJBYADQCRIQJ4RE.jpg?smart=true&auth=a96d14cc9fbc0ee17681e39caad2bf7088a572e84a8c5e8e89e8fa6486d88785&width=400&height=225)
Pupils arrive for classes at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HYPOKGSMINGRHI3WXYVZXZUPMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b109299599de0e9642be2ef1bee4b05ebf45d8cfb2dec2c1cc5bf9441fda0f6&width=400&height=225)
Pupils arrive for in-person classes at American Academy for Girls in Dubai. Some classes have four-fifths of pupils attending.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KDIZMM52OVGTNNHDPRKRGYHHOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e03baf3d9a5cd3aa7683b52e4c317983d658db0c1ca22cc971f5479c82a32253&width=400&height=225)
Practising balancing skills during break at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PWEDDRDTVFHDFJTHDEMCWMFJ7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=3e8f56cd13b14e73fa1b77172612cea8acdd5bb1a28580ec36fec5023bd634c0&width=400&height=225)
Arriving for lessons at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3XHVALXOXFEAHFNEOOU6WDFYXM.jpg?smart=true&auth=504d980a4769952949000fc076dd40da1c8a39bc4d180cf7fa9e00cc2ec9d8b0&width=400&height=225)
Laptops for lessons American Academy for Girls in Dubai. Technology has bridged the gap between pupils attending in person and those learning remotely.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SPSZW6T27JEZJKDZGZJXBN5RLI.jpg?smart=true&auth=06343fcdabd9549d92b2b6fea3c99b0b30fad002857d965ad5dd080050f8de5a&width=400&height=225)
Pupils get creative during class at American Academy for Girls.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ERPG2PJ4NBESZGH2LPZX2I6OLI.jpg?smart=true&auth=60a696bb0a5bcda2eed465892d4d3d4c10d24b7568085264a7966e5a334f7c58&width=400&height=225)
Pupils deep in concentration during a lesson at American Academy for Girls.
UAE's remote teachers tell of challenges of leading classes from home
Staff and pupils have had to adapt to a new age of education due to the pandemic
![Anam Rizvi](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F87bb1498-1e45-493f-9f35-cbae78f6f52b.png?smart=true&auth=fa4172315f8e7009403787975bfcf9a11521dcd852ffd3bf8362a1112a39a830&width=70&height=70)
Anam Rizvi
15 January, 2022
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic