Ali Ridha’s journey from an ELL student to an inspiring teacher is a testament to the power of empathy. Having immigrated from Iraq to the United States as a child, Ali knows firsthand the challenges faced by students who are trying to navigate a new language and culture. Now he has come full circle, teaching in the same school he graduated from. As an ELL teacher, he leverages his personal experiences to connect with his students because many of them are going through something similar. Ali believes in building a classroom community that celebrates diversity and fosters hope. Watch his story to learn about what inspires him and why he decided to become a teacher at Lincoln Public Schools