{"id":6351,"date":"2026-02-13T22:22:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T22:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/learn\/?p=6351"},"modified":"2026-02-20T00:48:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T00:48:50","slug":"from-morocco-with-stories-an-epic-educator-ambassador-bringing-online-books-to-life-for-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/learn\/from-morocco-with-stories-an-epic-educator-ambassador-bringing-online-books-to-life-for-students\/","title":{"rendered":"From Morocco, With Stories: An Epic Educator Ambassador Bringing Online Books to Life for Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Meet the Epic Educator Ambassador Helping Students Fall in Love With Reading<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you walk into Athouraya Private School in Morocco on the right day, you might hear something unexpected: students performing their favorite books. Some are acting out scenes. Others are recording podcasts or giving book talks. And in one special event, a \u201cmini talent show,\u201d students read expressively from stories they discovered on Epic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a gimmick. It\u2019s a culture shift. At Athouraya, reading isn\u2019t a quiet task tucked into the back of the day\u2014it\u2019s center stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And behind it all is Moulay Larbi Arbaoui, the school\u2019s Educational Strategy
Consultant and Epic Educator Ambassador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Structure, Support and Access to Online Books Come Together<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Athouraya serves around 800 students from a range of backgrounds. As Educational Strategy Consultant, Larbi leads the effort to build consistent reading practices across the school. \u201cMy role is to embed structured reading practices, support teachers pedagogically and ensure digital reading aligns with curriculum goals and students\u2019 developmental needs,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The school needed more than just books. They needed something that would make reading easy to access, engaging to students and useful to teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe needed a platform that makes reading accessible, motivating and measurable,\u201d Larbi says. \u201cEpic offered rich leveled content, audio support and clear data, turning reading into a daily habit rather than a one-off activity.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Schoolwide Routine That Makes Reading Stick<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Now, every class at Athouraya has a structured Epic session each week. It\u2019s not just open reading time. There\u2019s modeled reading, silent reading, comprehension tasks and guided discussions. Students are also encouraged to read at home, with many logging minutes outside of school on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading is no longer a separate academic task. It\u2019s something students expect. And, more importantly, something they enjoy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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From Screen to Stage: Bringing Stories to Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What makes this work so well is how online books are brought off the screen and into students\u2019 voices, hands and homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe organize book talks, mini talent shows, role-play reenactments, podcast-style discussions and short oral presentations based on Epic stories,\u201d Larbi says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the next project? One that\u2019s as powerful as it is personal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the habit of telling stories to kids before they go to bed\u2014that was previously deep-rooted in the Moroccan culture\u2014is no longer a regular practice, we are planning to have our students take the lead and tell their parents stories at home: \u2018The Little Storytellers.\u2019 This way we will bring back the long-cherished practice of storytelling and extend family time at home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s not just reading instruction. That\u2019s cultural restoration. Led by kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confidence, Comprehension and Student Voice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The impact is already visible. \u201cStudents are more engaged, more autonomous and far more willing to talk about books,\u201d Larbi says. \u201cReading is now perceived as enjoyable and social, not remedial or purely academic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teachers have also noticed a boost in fluency, vocabulary and oral expression. \u201cTeachers reported clear improvement in fluency, confidence, listening comprehension and use of new vocabulary\u2014especially among reluctant readers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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One moment stands out. \u201cSeveral students who rarely read independently now log reading minutes at home and confidently lead peer discussions in class.\u201d
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When Reading Leads to Writing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Moulay also runs a national Youth Writing Program at Oliveseed that\u2019s published three anthologies written entirely by Moroccan students in English. He\u2019s seen firsthand how more reading leads to stronger writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI strongly believe\u2014and have seen in practice\u2014that increased reading volume and exposure to quality texts through Epic directly strengthens students\u2019 writing skills, particularly in vocabulary range, narrative structure and creative expression. Reading widely has proven to be the most effective gateway to confident, meaningful student writing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

One Final Tip for Educators<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStructure matters,\u201d Larbi says. \u201cCombine modelling, discussion, creative follow-up and family engagement. Epic works best when reading is guided, celebrated and shared.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the impact?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEpic transformed reading from a classroom task into a living habit. It connects school, home and student voice in a meaningful way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to get started? Get Epic for free for your classroom<\/a> and see how everyday classroom moments can become magical reading experiences\u2014one book at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Ambassador<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Moulay Larbi Arbaoui is an Educational Strategy
Consultant and Epic Educator Ambassador at Athouraya Private School in Morocco, where he leads schoolwide reading initiatives for more than 800 primary students. He is also the Director of a national Youth Writing Program at Oliveseed that empowers Moroccan students to write and publish original short stories in English. A passionate advocate for literacy, Larbi believes that joyful reading is the foundation of confident writing, strong language development and lifelong learning.<\/em>
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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\n \u25b6<\/span> What is an Epic Educator Ambassador?<\/summary>\n
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An Epic Educator Ambassador is a passionate teacher who shares their experiences using Epic to inspire students and fellow educators. Ambassadors connect with a global community of Epic Educators, provide feedback directly to the Epic team, and help shape the platform\u2019s future. Through professional development, conferences, social media, and blog posts, they amplify best practices in reading instruction while gaining insider access to new features, exclusive initiatives, and recognition as educational leaders.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \u25b6<\/span> How does Epic support reluctant or emerging readers?<\/summary>\n
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Epic\u2019s leveled readers, Read-to-Me books, and wide range of engaging topics make reading more accessible and less intimidating. Teachers at Athouraya have noticed increased confidence, fluency, and engagement\u2014especially among students who were previously reluctant readers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \u25b6<\/span> What makes Athouraya\u2019s approach to reading unique?<\/summary>\n
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Athouraya brings reading to life through creative, student-led activities like book talks, role-play reenactments, podcasts, and expressive reading performances. The school also extends reading beyond the classroom by encouraging family storytelling at home through the \u201cLittle Storytellers\u201d<\/strong> initiative.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \u25b6<\/span> How does reading on Epic support writing development?<\/summary>\n
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Increased reading volume and exposure to high-quality texts help students strengthen vocabulary, narrative structure, and creative expression. Moulay has seen this connection firsthand through his national Youth Writing Program, which has published multiple student-written anthologies.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \u25b6<\/span> What is Epic School?<\/summary>\n
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Epic School<\/strong> is a free, classroom-focused version of Epic designed to support reading and learning during school hours. It gives teachers and students access to over 20,000 books, videos, and learning resources on weekdays from 7 AM to 4 PM.<\/p>\n

Educators can assign books, track student progress, and tailor reading experiences to different skill levels\u2014making it easier to foster literacy, engagement, and a love of reading in the classroom. It\u2019s completely free and ad-free.<\/p>\n

Learn more here: https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/educators<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \u25b6<\/span> What is Epic School Plus?<\/summary>\n
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Epic School Plus<\/strong> is the premium classroom version of Epic, offering 24\/7 access to over 40,000 books, videos, and learning resources.<\/p>\n

Unlike Epic School, which is limited to weekdays, Epic School Plus allows students to read anytime, download books for offline use, track progress with detailed class reports, and use admin tools with Clever\/ClassLink SSO and auto-rosters\u2014all while remaining COPPA and FERPA compliant.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s ideal for extending learning beyond the classroom and supporting literacy at home.<\/p>\n

Learn more here: https:\/\/www.getepic.com\/educators<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n<\/div>\n\n