From Engineer to Educator: Marwa El Askary’s Path to Teaching Elementary Math 

What inspires someone to leave a successful engineering career to pursue a passion for teaching elementary math? For Marwa El Askary, it was a combination of her love for children, a knack for numbers, and a desire to make a meaningful impact in young learners’ lives. 

Originally from Egypt, El Askary’s educational background and professional experiences have spanned multiple continents and industries. Now a dedicated educator and a proud graduate of Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, her story offers valuable lessons about finding your purpose and how being adaptable can help you build a fulfilling career in teaching. 

From Construction Sites to Classrooms 

El Askary began her career as an engineer after earning a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from the American University in Cairo. 

“I was a female among males,” El Askary recalled of the years she spent focused on managing construction sites in an industry dominated by men, noting that she developed keen problem-solving, leadership, and organizational skills while incorporating feedback and collaborating with colleagues during this period of her professional life. 

Even as her work portfolio grew, El Askary felt her interest in the work of engineering wavering. Not only had she made a transatlantic move and settled in Michigan, but El Askary had also started a family and found that raising her children was leading her to seek out more people-centered interactions. Fittingly enough, she found what she was looking for as soon as she stepped foot in a classroom. 

“I was just volunteering a lot in the elementary schools and in preschools in the U.S. where [my kids] grew up and I just I fell in love [with] helping the kids out,” El Askary said. “It just felt so natural.” 

Helping pre-K and elementary students understand new concepts and learn about the world around them sparked a new passion in El Askary. As a person whose “mind and thinking is forever organized in [a] scientific or engineering way,” she realized that she could combined her analytical instincts and existing professional skills with her newfound love for working with children by teaching elementary math. This set the stage for a significant career pivot. 

The Shift to Education and International Teaching 

After a move back to Egypt, El Askary’s first formal teaching role was at a British International School in Cairo, where she taught math and other subjects to elementary students. This five-year stretch allowed El Askary to get hands-on experience leading her own classrooms and validated her love for teaching. It also served as an easy entry point into the profession for El Askary because — while she did need other certifications — the school didn’t require here to have a traditional U.S. or international teaching certification. 

However, the need for a formal U.S. teaching license did come up when El Askary’s oldest son decided he wanted to pursue higher education in the U.S. Relocating back to the U.S. to be in close proximity, El Askary was ready to commit to earning a credential that would let her work as a fully certified teacher in Michigan. 

Finding the Perfect Fit with TEACH-NOW 

While it wasn’t the first education preparation program she enrolled in, El Askary’s search for a teaching certification that was just as respected globally as it is in the U.S. eventually led her to TEACH-NOW. 

“I required something that was more tailored to my multicultural pursuit,” El Askary noted. 

The intentional international education perspective and the global cohort model built into TEACH-NOW’s format fit her goals seamlessly. Gaining access to an international community of educators who shared insights and experiences unlocked new realizations for El Askary almost immediately. 

“The cohort experience…was fascinating to me,” she said enthusiastically, “because I could find a lot of things that are in common between the kids in Cairo and in the States, but then from the sharing of the other teachers internationally, [I thought], ‘Oh my God, kids have so much in common. We have so much in common globally.'” 

Making an Impact and Looking Ahead 

El Askary’s dedication to teaching and her students shines through whenever the subject is brought up, especially when talking about how the intangibles of education intersect with her family. 

“You pick up [skills] as you work any job,” El Askary said, “and this is something that I always [say], that it’s because of [my sons] that I learned the passion for dealing with kids to begin with, and then I found the pathway to applying all of the skills with people and with kids in particular — their own curiosity, their own problem-solving, and the way that they think critically is just fascinating.” 

Looking ahead, El Askary hopes to eventually expand her reach as an educator, with her sights set on teaching internationally again at some point when her children have grown up. When that day comes, she knows she’ll be well-prepared and well-positioned because of her perseverance to earn a teaching certification amidst a series of moves and life changes. 

“Now, it is…becoming [more of] a requirement to be internationally certified [than] it was maybe 10 years ago,” El Askary reflected. 

And as any parent can tell you, 10 years can pass in the blink of an eye. For El Askary, maybe it will feel as if she’s teaching in Cairo again sooner rather than later. 

Your Path to a Fulfilling Teaching Career 

El Askary’s career transformation is a perfect example of the importance of following your passions, even when it means stepping into the unknown. From working on construction sites to leading elementary classrooms, her diverse skill set and experiences have enriched not only her own life, but also the lives of each of her students. To hear more of El Askary’s story, check out our complimentary on-demand webinar about changing careers and becoming an international teacher. 

If you’re considering starting a new career in teaching or looking to elevate your existing skills, Moreland is ready to support you with flexible, 100% online teacher certification and master’s degree programs that are designed to equip you with the practical tools you need for a thriving career in education. 

Complete your free application today to take the first step toward upleveling your teaching career.