Meet Carisa Barry-Pope, PhD | EdGuru COO & International Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carisa Barry-Pope, PhD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carisa, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is riskiest when no risks are taken. Although I consider myself reserved and reticent, I am not afraid to sail unchartered waters. I also have faith and trust the I will be led to the right places at the right times. Taking risks brought me to the United Arab Emirates. As a principal in Mississippi, I truly enjoyed my career. However, I knew that I wanted to move. Traveling was a temporary antidote to my itch to move, but each vacation was only an ephemeral remedy. After researching teaching and living abroad in several countries, I decided to move to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Had I only lived in Mississippi before moving to the UAE? Yes. Had I visited the UAE before moving there? No. Did I know much about the Arabic culture or language? No. Did I know anything about the 7 Emirates? No.
However, after incessant prayers, some research, and a conversation with a family friend who was already living and teaching in the UAE, I decided to risk resigning from my job as principal and begin the process of moving to the UAE. That was in 2012. I arrived in the UAE in March 2013.
Once in the UAE, my husband and I realized the need for bilingual teacher professional development (PD) and books. We took an enormous risk and began our business EdGuru, Inc. We began with the EdGuru Edge blog to provide recent, relevant articles to educators internationally. Then we expanded to EdGuru OPD, which provides online PD for educators in English and Arabic.
I have also penned two children’s books in English and Arabic, and my husband has published a book for educators.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
We began EdGuru, Inc. to fill the void of effective, relevant professional development (PD) for teachers and administrators. We focus on job-embedded online PD that any educator globally could implement immediately and effectively. What sets us apart from other PD providers is that EdGuru is professional development FOR educators BY educators. Our content is updated regularly based on user feedback and requests and research. It is also 100% online and in English and Arabic.
I am most excited about the partnerships we are making with other edupreneurs and entrepreneurs globally. Being able to converse, exchange ideas, and share resources with other like-minded people is enlightening, motivating, and refreshing.
Getting to this point with EdGuru, Inc. has definitely been challenging. Sometimes I think it’s all for nothing. Then, we accomplish another goal or conquer another challenge.
Through this process I have learned that to be an entrepreneur, you must love what you do, set goals, celebrate the wins – even the small ones, and remain grateful.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, there is plenty to do. On your first visit, I would recommend doing the quintessential tourist activities. Spend a day in downtown Dubai and visit the Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world. Sit on the promenade at Dubai Mall, have a bite, and enjoy the Dubai Fountains, the world’s largest choreographed fountain. While inside the mall, visit the world’s largest indoor aquarium and underwater zoo. Go to the top of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in world, for dynamic views, awesome pics, and/or a bite to eat.
Visit the Frame and take an elevator nearly 500 feet to the top to view old Dubai on one side, walk across a glass floor, and view new Dubai on the other side.
Enjoy Dinner (or lunch) in the Sky for delicious food, great views, and energetic vibes.
The desert safari is a must! Enjoy traditional Arabic food, ride a camel, hold a falcon, sandboard, dune bash, take pics in traditional clothing, and get a henna tattoo.
There are some amazing performers here in the Emirates. Q’s (Quincy Jones’ bar and lounge) and Pizza Express have live performances that we always enjoy.
If you’re in Abu Dhabi, visit the Emirates Palace and the Grand Mosque.
Both cities have beautiful beaches and plenty of brunches to enjoy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Special thanks to my husband, Roy, who moved to the UAE shortly after I did. He is the driving force behind EdGuru. Without his dedication, diligence, and brainpower, EdGuru would not be successful.

Website: https://edguru.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edguruedge/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ed-guru/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdGuruEdge

Other: EdGuru Edge Blog https://blog.edguru.co/