This is a religious discrimination case arising from Plaintiff Sudoos Hamood’s termination from Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (“ACCESS”).
Ms. Hamood, Plaintiff, began working with ACCESS, Defendant, in 2017. In 2021, Ms. Hamood took on a new role at ACCESS and began working as an English teacher during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly thereafter, on October 8, 2021, Ms. Hamood’s employment with ACCESS was terminated due to conflict over ACCESS’s policy which required English teachers to show their faces while teaching virtually.
ACCESS has submitted the expert opinion of Ms. Anita Linder Caref in support of the proposition that viewing a teacher’s face is a best practice in English language instruction.
Plaintiff argued that Caref is not sufficiently qualified to offer expert testimony because she lacked the requisite experience and knowledge required under Federal Rule of Evidence 702. Plaintiff asserted that Caref has never been certified as an ESL specialist, has not conducted peer-reviewed research on ESL methodology, and has never before served as an expert witness.
Education Expert Witness
Ms. Anita Linder Caref has a master’s degree in English/Language and Literacy from The City College of the City University of New York and extensive experience teaching English.
She has written curricula for every level of Adult Basic Education (ABE) and High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation classes at the City Colleges of Chicago; each curriculum helps students improve their reading and writing skills as they learn social studies and science.
Caref earned a B.S. in Elementary Education with majors in Reading Certification and Bilingual Certification, as well as a master’s degree in English/Language and Literacy.
Discussion by the Court
The Court concluded that Caref is qualified to serve as an expert witness. Caref had an extensive, 45-year career as an ESL instructor, which provided her with the experience and specialize knowledge necessary to testify about the best practices for teaching ESL students. She has taught students from more than 25 countries — including several Arab countries such as Yemen, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Syria — and she has also taught in remote-learning environments. Her practical experience is complemented by educational credentials that further support her qualification to testify as an expert.
Plaintiff’s challenges to Caref’s experience and methodology can be addressed on cross-examination. At this moment, however, the Court found that her opinions are the product of reliable principles and methods and are based on her education and professional training, decades of experience teaching ESL students, designing curricula, and supervising other ESL instructors.
The Court is not convinced that her testimony will be duplicative. Although she reaches the same conclusion as Defendant’s other expert, she does so through a different approach. Her testimony could very well assist the jury by providing an educator’s perspective, rather than the more academic or scientific approach.
The Court is persuaded by Defendant’s argument that the issues raised by Plaintiff relates more to credibility instead of qualification. What Plaintiff challenges goes to the weight of Caref’s testimony on the stand, not her ability to satisfy the threshold requirements for expert status.
Held
The Court denied Plaintiff’s motion to exclude Anita Linder Caref’s testimony and concluded that she is qualified to serve as an expert witness.
Key Takeaway
Caref possesses sufficient educational credentials, and her opinions are the product of reliable principles and methods grounded in her education, professional training, and decades of experience teaching ESL students, designing curricula, and supervising other instructors.
Case Details:
| Case Caption: | Hamood V. Arab Community Center For Economic And Social Services |
| Docket Number: | 2:23cv10270 |
| Court Name: | United States District Court, Michigan Eastern |
| Order Date: | January 20, 2026 |
