In God's Garden (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781475018035)

Mahassen Ahmad spent her childhood in a populace district in Alexandria, Egypt, immersed in folklore and fables that sparked her imagination. Since she learned how to read, she had spent as much time reading as staring in space, picturing what she was reading about. She carried this habit through a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arabic and Oriental Languages from Alexandria University, and four graduate degrees in education, audiovisual communication, and psychology, including a doctorate from Indiana University. Throughout her career, the author strived to use the magical effect of the word in communication. As a University Intern, she spent a semester at AT&T National Tele-training Center, in Cincinnati, Ohio, developing seminars for instructors and course developers. A Foreign Curriculum Consultant at Texas Education Agency, she developed secondary Arabic guidelines for the Texas school system; analyzed the presentation of the Arabic culture in Texas state-adopted social studies textbooks; and prepared and delivered workshops and presentations for staff-development, school districts, universities and associations. Being a Program Consultant at Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the author suggested improvements on Special Nutrition Programs' plans, training, handbooks, policies and procedures. In addition, Mahassen Ahmad had a long work experience as an Ain Shams University Professor in Egypt. She developed and delivered training for teachers and school administrators; conducted research on computer based instruction, adult literacy, and instructional technology and presented it in national and international conferences. She served on committees that developed curricula for teacher training programs at the national level and curricula for literacy and adult education funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). The author is a recipient of a Ford Foundation and a Fulbright Foundation grants, a Certificate of Recognition from Texas Special Nutrition Programs, and a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Department of Agriculture. She represented the United States Southwest Region on the board of the National Association for Welfare Research and Statistics from 1999 to 2003. Currently, she spends her time writing and public speaking on Egypt and Islam. She enjoys yoga, cooking, and gardening.