Interviewer: Mahmoud Mansi
“We are not robots we are not programmed to do one thing; we should experience more and do whatever feels right to us. Having two careers, to me, made me believe that I’m even more unique…”
Maie Korayem
THE INTERVIEW
Maie studied Veterinary Medicine, she is an IGCSE science teacher and a ballet instructor. She enjoys all types of dancing and other talents including acting.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Maie, this is very interesting that you are playing the role of a tutor/trainer for two totally different things! How different it is teaching science to training ballet?
Maie Korayem: In ballet we’re basically moving our bodies and minds, therefore Ballet is more challenging, while teaching science depends more on the mind and thinking.
The most common thing in teaching anything whether ballet, science or another is “love”. As long as you love your students teaching is joyful.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: With online education now, what are the challenges you face while teaching your science students? How are you overcoming them?
Maie Korayem: The most difficult part is the poor internet connection; students sometimes don’t hear very well. This led to lack of information. Recording the sessions is a very good idea to get back to them after so students wouldn’t miss any part. However, during the whole experience both teachers and students learnt a lot and became ready to face new challenges.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Do you believe it would be better if schools provide to their teachers a professional training on how they can conduct and manage virtual classes, or is it better to leave them try and learn from the experience on their own?
Maie Korayem: I believe that this crisis taught us to be ready. Schools should prepare a new generation with high technological knowledge. A lot of schools gave their teachers brief courses on how to deal with technology and virtual classes, but most of the efforts were individual ones and showed high level of dedication.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: What about your young ballet students, how can they move from the state of depending on a face to face training into training from home and being monitored virtually?
Maie Korayem: I teach different ages. Girls between 12 to 15 years old have contacted me and we had a WhatsApp group and revised our normal old practices. The parents of the younger girls used some video chatting apps and got their kids classes online. Both older and younger students avoided any physically dangerous moves that requires professional interaction.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: How does practicing and performing ballet build up the personality of people?
Maie Korayem: “I dance therefor I am” to dance means to get out of your mind and body and move your soul, it means to be free. When a kid does some move that normal kids in their age can’t do, it makes them believe that they are special. Then they start to know that a dancer is a secure, strong and unique person who’s capable of anything.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Usually we were being told to focus on one thing, one career, and this is how we can be more “focused” and find success. You and many others nowadays are managing very well between two different passions and careers, what is your opinion about that statement?
Maie Korayem: We are not robots we are not programmed to do one thing; we should experience more and do whatever feels right to us. Having two careers, to me, made me believe that I’m even more unique. It opened more doors and more opportunities. Mixing between work and what I love was one of the rightest decisions I’ve ever made.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Based on your experience, can you share with us some tips that would help us create a work-life balance?
Maie Korayem: Stay healthy, never spend your rest time in doing work, always have a vacation. Family should always come first. When you’re out of the work place don’t work. And when you’re at work don’t mind personal issues.