Ayesha Shaik, widely recognised as the UAE’s first phonics teacher and a leading voice in early literacy development.On a bright afternoon in Dubai, a roomful of small children chant short sounds – “b-a-t, bat”, while a teacher claps a rhythmic beat that turns decoding into a game. For many parents across the UAE and in diasporic communities, that teacher is Ayesha Shaik, widely known online as Teacher Ayesha and publicly described by her organisation as the UAE’s multi-award-winning, licensed “Phonics Teacher Influencer.”
Shaik is the founder and director of AES Edu Marketing Events Network (AES), an education-and-events organisation that today markets itself as an ecosystem for parents, teachers and entrepreneurs.
Today, we’ll trace how a Year-1 teacher used classroom practice, social media and events to popularise phonics in the Gulf, and why the story matters beyond one educator’s personal brand.
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From classroom routines to virtual classrooms
Ayesha Shaik’s background follows the arc familiar to many early-years educators: classroom work in British-curriculum settings, early-career leadership roles and a deepening interest in early literacy. But her trajectory shifted in 2020–21 when she began offering free phonics classes online.
AES’s public narrative attributes the early momentum to Ayesha’s pandemic-era phonics sessions, which reached children across over 100 countries and helped spark the community that later evolved into AES. Those sessions marked a turning point in her shift from classroom teaching to developing structured digital learning and training programmes, positioning her work within the broader rise of remote education during that period.
For parents who lacked tools to teach reading during school closures, Ayesha’s sing-along phonics clips, short Zoom lessons and recorded workshops offered immediate help – a mix of pedagogy and approachable presentation that resonated on Instagram and YouTube. Her social channels now host numerous reels and short lessons that showcase multisensory phonics strategies and parent tips.
AES – an education, events and branding network
What began as free lessons now sits inside AES Edu Marketing Events Network FZE, which markets itself as a multi-service organisation which includes online tutoring, edtech services, events, branding, and community programmes.
AES publicly lists partnerships across media and corporate names including Khaleej Times, Gaia Pharmaceutical Company, MRF Tyres, Radio FM 106.2, Abu Dhabi TV, Emirates Loves India, and Wondermom Magazine, among others.
AES also organises the ‘AES Visionary Excellence Awards‘, networking forums and entrepreneurship showcases that blend education recognition with brand building avenues – an effort to position AES as a convener in Dubai’s education-entrepreneurship landscape.
The pedagogy: phonics, inclusion and parent empowerment
Phonics, teaching the relationship between letters and sounds so children can decode words, is a well-evidenced approach when implemented with systematic scope and fidelity. AES materials and Teacher Ayesha’s lessons lean heavily on multisensory practice: songs, games, repetition and scaffolded blending of consonant-vowel patterns. Her public messaging stresses inclusivity – tailoring lessons for children with special needs and designing materials for multilingual learners.
Crucially, phonics works best when classroom routines are consistent and teachers are trained to use evaluative checks (screening for phonemic awareness, timed readings, running records). AES positions teacher training and parent workshops as core services – a model that, if coupled with robust assessment, can boost reading outcomes. But marketing claims require independent verification to move from promise to proof.
Khaleej Times & the AES Entrepreneurs’ Summit
On 30 September 2025, AES hosted the AES Entrepreneurs’ Summit 2025 at Glendale International School, Dubai, in association with Khaleej Times. The summit brought together more than 100 participants – including entrepreneurs, business leaders, aspiring founders and students for panel discussions, networking sessions and business-focused conversations.
The programme also included a segment featuring 10 entrepreneurs from the “People of Determination” community, underscoring the event’s emphasis on inclusivity and representation.
During the summit, Ayesha announced that Season 3 of her podcast, Chai Shai with Ayesha, would launch in October. The first season, introduced in September 2024, has since hosted over 150 guests across varied professional domains, reflecting her focus on community narratives and entrepreneurial journeys.
Addressing the attendees, Ayesha Shaik described the summit as a platform designed to encourage collaboration among entrepreneurs and to support the broader business ecosystem.
Editor’s Note
Ayesha Shaik’s trajectory stands as a reflection of the UAE’s evolving landscape for women entrepreneurs, where education, innovation, and community-building increasingly intersect. Her work in phonics training and teacher development demonstrates how specialised expertise can scale into a broader platform for impact.
Beyond the classroom, her initiatives, including a growing podcast, community events, and entrepreneurial forums – show how women-led ventures can create spaces for dialogue, visibility, and opportunities for emerging voices. These efforts contribute to a widening ecosystem that supports talent across multiple sectors.
As the UAE continues to position itself as a hub for inclusion and knowledge-driven progress, stories like Ayesha’s highlight the important role women founders play in shaping cultural and economic momentum. Their leadership not only sets new benchmarks but also opens pathways for the next generation of educators, creators, and entrepreneurs.
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