My Two Countries: A Memoir of Belonging, Education, and Advocacy

My Two Countries is a deeply personal memoir of Shereen Tabrizi, PhD, whose life bridges cultures, continents, and causes. Born in Acre (Akka), Israel, and shaped by her father's Persian heritage and her mother's Lebanese roots, she grew up with a deep appreciation for empathy, resilience, and justice. As a young Israeli Arab, she confronted complex questions of identity and belonging-experiences that would shape her lifelong mission. From the lecture halls of the University of Haifa to classrooms in Arab villages throughout the Galilee, and later to leadership roles in Dearborn and the Michigan Department of Education, Shereen championed educational equity and multilingual learning. Despite institutional and cultural barriers, she helped develop innovative programs and reforms that expanded educational opportunities for students and families. Along the way, she balanced a demanding career with motherhood and her own personal journey of growth. With candor and courage, she reflects on asserting her rights within marriage, navigating ideological differences, and advocating for voices too often unheard. Both intimate and inspiring, My Two Countries reveals how one woman's story-rooted in two homelands and guided by a steadfast belief in humanity-became a lifelong call to bridge divides and uplift others.