Fairfax Academy offers Arabic 1 through 4. Mr. Ford’s passion is to help his students build strong literacy and communication skills.  This quarter, students are working on several projects.   Some are writing and presenting skits which incorporate high frequency phrases.  While others are both writing paragraphs and capturing flipgrid videos in which they present information about themselves and their families. Upper-level students are drafting descriptions of their favorite cities in the Arab World. Mr. Ford truly enjoys working with his students and feels that he learns just as much from them as they do from him.

Mr. Ford grew up in Worcester, MA. Prior to joining the Academy in 2019, he spent six years supporting Arabic language instruction for the Middle East Studies M.A. program in the Elliott School of International Affairs. His journey began in 2007, when he enrolled, as an undergrad, at George Washington University. Here, he decided to major in the Arabic language. Since that time, he has received several scholarships and fellowships that have afforded him opportunities to study abroad in the Arab World and be immersed in the language for extensive periods. In 2013, he completed a year-long fellowship program, known as Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA). This opportunity was funded by the US Department of Education. Mr. Ford views his participation in this experience as instrumental in solidifying his passion for Arabic language and culture.