Marilyn L. Pinto

I believe financial education is critical skill that young people need to have so they can step up, stand out and live a life on their own terms. I have develop a number of frameworks to ensure that they not only gain the competence and confidence to take better financial decisions but also throughly enjoy the learning process. I know that once they have this skill, they will be able to better understand and avoid financial pitfalls.

This skill of being better with money, will help them do better, not just for themselves but for humility as a whole. I hope that having this skill and understanding, they are can help take a stand on various social justice issues like income inequality, gender equality, poverty and climate change.

SMARTER RICHER BRAVER….that’s our promise.

Dana Abusalhieh

I’m a business graduate and I’ve held teaching and training positions in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Canada, working with students of different ages, including children. I’ve taught Business English and English as a Second Language at training centres in Dubai, and English and Social Studies at both primary and intermediate levels in Riyadh and Jeddah. In Toronto, I provided e-marketing and website consulting services to small businesses in a programme at Humber College, where I earned a Bachelor’s in Applied Business (e-business). I also hold Cambridge’s ESL teaching certification from International House in Dubai.

I have a passion for teaching, and as an educator I find nothing is more empowering for children than making informed decisions and taking ownership of the results. I believe that this is exactly what the Kids’ Financial Initiative promotes – tools to help youngsters make micro financial decisions. Being part of a generation where schools did not promote financial responsibilities or basic skills such as filing taxes, I strongly believe in the importance of this programme for children. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm with them.

Pooja Bhargava

I’m a researcher, educator and curious mother. My eagerness to understand children led me to earn my doctorate in Child Development / Developmental Psychology from Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, in 2011. That followed my master’s in Child Development (2004) and my bachelor’s in Home Science (2002), both also from Lady Irwin.

In efforts across India, Germany, Italy, Greece and Dubai, I’ve designed and facilitated educational workshops for parents, teachers and children, worked with several nongovernmental organisations, taught and lectured frequently, presented many training sessions, conducted several seminars and authored more than a dozen papers.

I believe children are inherently clever and sharp. We as adults need to nurture these talents and help them to complement the formal education pupils acquire over the years. KFI programmes do just that, preparing children for the world that awaits their entry.

Bringing up my two daughters compels me to call upon my training in child development, constantly challenging and reinventing the norms. As an educator at KFI I naturally extend my role as a child development professional to share – and enrich – my base of knowledge.

Grace

“I am committed to student success and happiness in the classroom and life. I always strive to develop an outstanding and progressive environment when it comes to student learning and support, discipline, and pastoral care.

As an enthusiastic Chemistry specialist originating from London, I have experience teaching, tutoring, and mentoring all science subjects to students aged 5-18 years in Ghana, China, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. My BSc degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences, my experience teaching various exam specifications such as OCR, Edexcel, and AQA, and my background as a GCSE and A Level examiner, have equipped me with exceptional abilities to bring learning to life.

I am highly motivated and invested in the holistic development of young people. I also run STEM courses, and tutor and mentor students to support them in selecting career paths and developing aspirations. Moreover, I am a great team worker, very kind, and considerate, and I have a great sense of humor!”