Hala Abdelmoemn Mohamed Kotb Shahin

Hala Abdelmoemn Mohamed Kotb Shahin is one of the most accomplished mathematics educators in the United Arab Emirates and the wider Arab world, recognised for her exceptional contributions to innovation, gifted education, digital creativity, and community-centred teaching. With more than 28 years of experience, she has built a career defined by academic excellence, deep commitment to students, and transformative work that bridges mathematics, technology, environmental responsibility, and global citizenship. 

Born in Egypt and inspired by a creative mathematics teacher at age 14, Hala decided early that she would dedicate her life to teaching. After completing her Bachelor of Education (Mathematics), she pursued continuous postgraduate advancement: a Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Curriculum and Instruction, a Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematics Teaching Methods, a Professional Master’s Degree in School Leadership, and most notably, a Professional Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence and Adaptive Education for Gifted Students. This advanced expertise shapes her pioneering work in personalised learning and AI-driven instruction. 

Since 2004, Hala has served in the UAE at Khawla Bint Tha’albah School for Girls (Cycle 2 & 3), where she teaches mathematics to students aged 12–18. Her teaching philosophy centres on building a generation that is conscious, innovative, future-ready, and capable of solving real-world problems. She integrates play-based learning, project-based learning, digital platforms, AI diagnostics, and inductive reasoning programs—many of which she designed herself. Her innovative GeoGebra-based induction programs earned first place in the Arab Child Creativity Conference (Egypt, 2022). 

Her impact is measurable and widespread. She has achieved 100% student success rates, a 97.6% talent-development impact score, and a 33.3% increase in students attaining full marks. Her students have won national awards in science, digital citizenship, innovation, and intellectual property. She creates differentiated programs for gifted learners, students with disabilities, and those experiencing learning loss, including the acclaimed “Treasures of Mathematics” book for visually impaired students. 

Hala is also a leading trainer in the Northern Emirates, a Microsoft Certified Trainer since 2017, and a certified trainer for the UAE Ministry of Education. She delivers national and international workshops (UAE, Egypt, Bahrain), supports teachers through classroom modelling, and designs resources used across the country. Her classroom observation scores consistently reach 5 — significantly above expectations. 

Her excellence has been recognised through more than a dozen prestigious awards, including: 

• Hamdan Award for Distinguished Educational Performance (2020) 
• Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence (2021) 
• Digital Creativity Award, 1st Place in the Arab World (2022) 
• Khalifa Educational Award, Creative Teacher Category (2023) 
• Intellectual Property Award – Dubai Customs (1st Place, 2024) 
• Distinguished Teacher Award (2024 & 2025) 
• Knowledge Ambassador Award (2022) 
• Inventor Medal 

Beyond the classroom, Hala leads impactful community initiatives: student volunteer teams with the Emirates Red Crescent, parent-engagement programs such as Friday University, environmental campaigns, sustainability competitions involving 100 schools, and social-emotional programs promoting tolerance, anti-bullying, and positive citizenship. 

For Hala, one achievement defines her work: creating inclusive, AI-driven, innovative mathematics education that empowers every learner—gifted, struggling, or vulnerable—to succeed and thrive in a rapidly changing world.