Christine Coombe has a Ph.D. in Foreign/Second Language Education from The Ohio State University and is currently an Associate Professor of General Studies at the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE. Christine has published over 60 books on various topics in TESOL/ELT. She has lived and worked in the Gulf for the past 33 years. During her tenure, she has won many awards, including the 2002 Spaan Fellowship for Research in Second/Foreign Language Assessment, the 2002-03 TOEFL Outstanding Young Scholar Award, the Chancellor’s Teacher of the Year for 2003-04, the British Council’s International Assessment Award for 2013, and was named to TESOL’s 50@50, which recognizes professionals who have made significant contributions to the TESOL profession within the past 50 years. Dr. Coombe is the 2018 recipient of the James E. Alatis Award, TESOL’s highest recognition, which acknowledges exemplary service to TESOL. Her most recent honor was being named to the US Department of State’s 30@30 English Language Specialists in 2021. This list recognizes ElSpecs who have made an impact on the teaching and training of English language teachers around the world in the last 30 years. Dr. Coombe served as TESOL International Association President (2011-2012) and is currently a TIRF Trustee.