Emily Ibrahim, PhD in Educational Leadership, is a Spanish teacher, researcher, author, and founder of Forward Abilities Education. As both a classroom practitioner and scholar, she is passionate about creating meaningful, accessible language learning experiences for all students.

Emily has taught Spanish to learners of diverse ages, backgrounds, and proficiency levels, and she especially thrives in the elementary classroom, where she brings language to life through stories, art, movement, and connection. Her work is grounded in the belief that every learner is capable of growth and deserves access to education that meets their needs and honors their strengths.

Her doctoral research was the first to investigate foreign language learning in children with Down syndrome and co-occurring Down syndrome and autism. Through this work, Emily explored how students with intellectual and developmental disabilities can successfully participate in and benefit from language learning when provided with appropriate supports and instruction.

In addition to her research and teaching, Emily has authored and illustrated three comprehensible readers for novice language learners and provides professional development, coaching, and consultation for world language and English learner teachers. She is passionate about helping educators build classrooms where students of all abilities can belong, communicate, and thrive.

At the heart of Emily’s work is a simple belief: everyone can learn. Brains grow, abilities develop, and inclusive education opens doors—not only for students with disabilities, but for entire learning communities.