After achieving a BA in Sociology and Cultural Studies at the University of Goldsmiths, Douaa decided to pursue a teaching career in 2008 and completed the Post graduate Certificate of education. Her time at a London faith school enabled her many training opportunities. Most importantly, she developed a passion for working with children with special educational needs and disabilities and completed the Special Educational Needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) award at the Institute of Education. This important role enabled her to work closely with the head teacher and other senior colleagues, use her leadership skills to manage provision in school, provide support to other teachers, designing and delivering interventions with pupils in the classroom and implementing the school strategy. Douaa has a firm belief that every child matters and deserves the best opportunities in life including those with SEN. At present she is a proud mother of two children and is Vice Chair of a parent organisation that supports parent carers with SEND in education, social care and Health.