Rob DaviesI am currently in my eighth year of international teaching and I can’t believe how fast the time has flown by. One of ways I’ve been able to adapt and stay flexible is by making the best out of any situation. The field of education is always changing, and over the past seven years, I have taught 10 different courses in both single gender classes and mixed classes. I have taught at a boarding school and a day school. I have taught in a semester and linear system, both with a fixed block schedule and rotating block schedule. I have worked with changing curricula both in Canadian and American Systems. While all of these changes take place, the one thing that seems to stay the same is the students. The students want to be respected and treated fairly. They want to have a voice and have a say in how they learn. They want their education to be meaningful and relevant. They want to grow up and go to college. The reason I want to keep teaching, keep learning and improving, is the students. I know the impact teachers can have on their students, and I take that responsibility seriously. As I continue to grow as a teacher and a person, my desire to meet new people, travel the world, and educate students continues to drive me.
I consider myself a lifelong learner who is always looking for new and better ways of doing things. I completed my Bachelors of Science in Mathematics in 2008 and my Bachelors of Education in 2009 at the University of Victoria. I am certified as a high school math teacher by the British Columbia College of Teachers and I have full confidence in teaching all levels of high school math and calculus. I completed my Masters of Mathematics for Teachers from the University of Waterloo in 2014. Most recently I have been exploring training in technology, completing Google Educator and Moodle Course Creator certifications. As a teacher I explored many ways of implementing technology in my classroom, from a class website, Moodle, iClickers, Geogebra, StarBoards, Tablet computers, TI84 graphing calculators and TI NSpire CX calculators. Last year I had the fortunate opportunity to accept the position of High School Technology Coach where I have been able to explore the use of technology more in depth. In this position, I have been able to work with teachers in all departments through formal training sessions, informal meetings in common planning teams, and as a guest presenter in class. My goal as Tech Coach has been to work with teachers so they can comfortably integrate technology, such as Google Apps for Education, Moodle, and Starboards, into their classroom to help promote 21st century skills that will empower and inspire students to excel in higher education and become lifelong learners. Although I focused my university studies on mathematics and business, I also studied photography and love to travel to different countries (I have currently visited 22 countries and hope to add at least one or two more to the list by the end of the school year!). I believe enthusiasm for learning is highly contagious and I hope to pass that on many students in the future. I hope to build students’ self-confidence inside the classroom and out, empowering them to make the important decisions faced during their journey into adulthood. |
Aimee ClearyI am a middle and high school teacher with 7+ years of international teaching experience. Originally from Canada’s east coast, My husband and I have been teaching in Kuwait for the past 5 years; prior to this we taught at an international school in China. During the course of our time overseas we have learned that the key to a great international teaching experience is flexibility. Being flexible not only allows you to look past minor inconveniences and enjoy life more, but also enables you to be a more effective educator and contributor to your school community. My experiences in China and Kuwait have enhanced my teaching practice by providing differentiated professional opportunities for growth. As a learning support specialist have enabled me to modify and enrich curriculum for a wide range of students addressing different learning styles and needs in Science classes. Teaching Information Technology, Math and Language Arts has opened my eyes to new resources and ways of approaching topics, allowing me to effectively integrate subject areas within units and projects which has led to more connections and enthusiasm in my students.
No matter what country I am in, the students remain the reason teaching is a rewarding and worthwhile profession. Having the opportunity to be a part of their lives and help them discover their potential in life is a true gift. In order to aid students in reaching their goals I strongly believe authentic learning opportunities are an essential part of their education. In my Science classes I include inquiry-based learning frequently, as through independent, authentic investigations students gain the skills they will need in order to grow into the intelligent, critical thinkers our world needs. In my role as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Curriculum Coordinator for the past 2 years I have had the opportunity to share my passion for inquiry-based learning with the rest of the faculty, and vertically align the Understanding By Design (UBD) units in Science across all grades. As a result of this work we have seen real progress in our students’ problem-solving abilities. One of my passions in life is environmental conservation and I relish being able to share this passion with many students, in my classroom, via field trips, by bringing in local experts, and through extra-curricular activities such as the Sustainable Community Club, Model United Nations and Roots and Shoots. It is incredibly rewarding to watch students gain awareness of their world, and the impact they can have on it. As a lifelong learner I am currently completing my Master of Arts in Teaching Biological Sciences degree. My work in the program is focused on engaging and encouraging girls to continue in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by using inquiry-based learning, introducing them to role models and placing their research within social context they can relate to. Last year our Sustainability Club participated in a national competition on marine conservation in the Arabian Gulf which was broadcast over national television. Our students did very well and became passionate about conducting studies to do with conserving the local waters. This year I am also facilitating a GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Sciences) Club to encourage even more of our female students to become enthusiastic about applying their skills to local issues. I wish to continue this work with students at the school I am lucky enough to call home next school year. |