What defines us more, what happens to us, or how we live in the aftermath? In this deeply personal talk, Dr. Rania traces the pivotal moments that shaped her life—from war and loss to motherhood and pandemic fear—revealing how resilience, reflection, and truth can grow from even the most painful events. This is a story of strength, survival, and the courage to remember. Dr. Rania Al-Nakib is the Elementary School Principal and an ASK alumnus. She previously worked at ASK from 2005-2008 as a grade 1 homeroom teacher and team leader and then rejoined in 2023. Prior to that, she worked as an Assistant Professor at the Gulf University for Science and Technology. As well as teaching in their education program, she designed and taught courses in human rights and education for democratic citizenship. Rania holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Kuwait University, with a major in English Literature and Linguistics. She has a Master of Science degree (MS) from Georgetown University in Theoretical Linguistics and a Master of Education (MEd) degree from Marymount University, VA. She also holds a PhD in Education from the Institute of Education, University of London. Rania also does work with NGOs and civil society groups and is passionate about the role of education in creating transformative citizens. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx