American Creativity Academy
Hawalli, Kuwait
2014-15: IB World History 1 & 2, Theory of Knowledge 1, 2, & Elective, & Photography
2013-14: US History, World Issues, & Photography
1:1 iPad Project Leader, IT Committee Member, Co-Advisor of Model United Nations, Extended Essay Coordinator
American Creativity Academy - Boys' Campus
Al-Sharhabil Street, Building 900014, Block 9
Hawalli, Kuwait 32018
Telephone: +965 - 22673333
Fax: +965 - 22613483
American Creativity Academy Website
My current teaching position is The American Creativity Academy (ACA) in Hawalli, Kuwait. ACA is private international school in the State of Kuwait. While the school provides education to both male and female students, they are educated separately after kindergarten. I teach on the boy's campus. The school's curriculum is American influenced, though there are classes such as Islam, Arabic, and Quran that are required by the Ministry of Education. This past year, I taught 4 periods of 10th grade US History, one of which is an honors class, 1 period of 9th and 10th grade World Issues, and 1 period of 9th to 12th grade Photography. I presently teach IB World History Year 1 and 2, Theory of Knowledge Year 1, 2, and Elective, and Photography. In addition, I am the IB Extended Essay Coordinator. This is my second year directing the Model United Nations and being a part of the IT Committee.
Thus far, my experience working at ACA and liven gin Kuwait has provided me with an incredible experience. By learning and taking part in the culture and exploring the country, I have already gained a large knowledge of the Kuwait, its people, Islam, and the diverse Arab culture. This experience doesn't stop when I enter the classroom. Quite the contrary, teaching high schoolers in Kuwait, most of whom are Kuwaiti, has contributed to the vast knowledge I am gaining here. In addition to that, the students have also learned much from me and my life experiences.
During the past year, I taught four classes of 10th grade US History, one of which is an honors class. I was also given the opportunity to teach one elective course of 9th and 10th grade World Issues and one course of 9th to 12th grade photography. The social sciences is where I excel. US History is one of my strengths, and while teaching it to non-American students have provided me with some difficulties, it has ultimately been a rewarding class to teach. In the United States, it is easy to take the American perspective on US history. In my classes however, only but a few of my students have ever been to the United States. One of the difficulties, I speak of, arises here. With little previous knowledge of American history, its people, and the diverse culture of the country, some students have had a tough time grasping concepts. Although, this situation has provided me with some benefits as well. The knowledge of America may be limited to many of my students, but because of this, many of them are bringing a unique and valuable perspective to class. This holds true for my World Issues class. Students do not have an American perspective, but often have a Kuwaiti or Arab outlook on current events. This has provided both me and the students with a unique outlook into the world.
ACA has offered me various opportunities to try new things, get involved in the school community, and grown overall as an educator. One of the many ways the school has done this is by allowing me to teach a course of photography. While the resources are limited for photography at ACA, I plan to make the best of it and give my students the opportunity to get a camera in their hands and explore the world through a lens.
Another opportunity given to me by ACA is the chance to be part of the educational technology initiative. During this past fall, I was approached by my principal, who inquired about my interest in piloting a new program to introduce 1 to 1 iPads in the classroom. This upcoming quarter will mark the beginning of the test period. One of my US History classes will be provided iPads that are to be used only in my class. I will develop lessons and assessments which will allow students to work actively with their iPads. One of the goals of the technology initiative is to differentiate the learning to meet the needs of all students. I will have more info on this initiative as the test period completes. Ultimately, it is my hope that with a successful test run, other students, parents, and teachers will see the great benefit to technology in the classroom. I will take an active role in not only helping my pilot program to be successful, but afterwards, bringing this technology to the rest of the school. Teachers should not just be given iPads and left to be, but instead, they should be educated on how best to utilize this important classroom asset. That is not to say that teachers should not have flexibility to have trial and error of technology in their classroom. Every classroom will be unique and technology will be used differently from room to room. However, there is professional development that must walk hand in hand with the integration of technology. I plan to help other teachers, students, and parents to make the most of the new technology, now with the iPads and in the future when more technology arises.
I am but at the beginning of my career in education. I have quite a lot to still learn and experience, but knowing that I can provide my students with a quality and rewarding educational experience keeps me going. I am grateful to ACA for providing me the opportunities to grow as an educator in many different aspects.
Al-Sharhabil Street, Building 900014, Block 9
Hawalli, Kuwait 32018
Telephone: +965 - 22673333
Fax: +965 - 22613483
American Creativity Academy Website
My current teaching position is The American Creativity Academy (ACA) in Hawalli, Kuwait. ACA is private international school in the State of Kuwait. While the school provides education to both male and female students, they are educated separately after kindergarten. I teach on the boy's campus. The school's curriculum is American influenced, though there are classes such as Islam, Arabic, and Quran that are required by the Ministry of Education. This past year, I taught 4 periods of 10th grade US History, one of which is an honors class, 1 period of 9th and 10th grade World Issues, and 1 period of 9th to 12th grade Photography. I presently teach IB World History Year 1 and 2, Theory of Knowledge Year 1, 2, and Elective, and Photography. In addition, I am the IB Extended Essay Coordinator. This is my second year directing the Model United Nations and being a part of the IT Committee.
Thus far, my experience working at ACA and liven gin Kuwait has provided me with an incredible experience. By learning and taking part in the culture and exploring the country, I have already gained a large knowledge of the Kuwait, its people, Islam, and the diverse Arab culture. This experience doesn't stop when I enter the classroom. Quite the contrary, teaching high schoolers in Kuwait, most of whom are Kuwaiti, has contributed to the vast knowledge I am gaining here. In addition to that, the students have also learned much from me and my life experiences.
During the past year, I taught four classes of 10th grade US History, one of which is an honors class. I was also given the opportunity to teach one elective course of 9th and 10th grade World Issues and one course of 9th to 12th grade photography. The social sciences is where I excel. US History is one of my strengths, and while teaching it to non-American students have provided me with some difficulties, it has ultimately been a rewarding class to teach. In the United States, it is easy to take the American perspective on US history. In my classes however, only but a few of my students have ever been to the United States. One of the difficulties, I speak of, arises here. With little previous knowledge of American history, its people, and the diverse culture of the country, some students have had a tough time grasping concepts. Although, this situation has provided me with some benefits as well. The knowledge of America may be limited to many of my students, but because of this, many of them are bringing a unique and valuable perspective to class. This holds true for my World Issues class. Students do not have an American perspective, but often have a Kuwaiti or Arab outlook on current events. This has provided both me and the students with a unique outlook into the world.
ACA has offered me various opportunities to try new things, get involved in the school community, and grown overall as an educator. One of the many ways the school has done this is by allowing me to teach a course of photography. While the resources are limited for photography at ACA, I plan to make the best of it and give my students the opportunity to get a camera in their hands and explore the world through a lens.
Another opportunity given to me by ACA is the chance to be part of the educational technology initiative. During this past fall, I was approached by my principal, who inquired about my interest in piloting a new program to introduce 1 to 1 iPads in the classroom. This upcoming quarter will mark the beginning of the test period. One of my US History classes will be provided iPads that are to be used only in my class. I will develop lessons and assessments which will allow students to work actively with their iPads. One of the goals of the technology initiative is to differentiate the learning to meet the needs of all students. I will have more info on this initiative as the test period completes. Ultimately, it is my hope that with a successful test run, other students, parents, and teachers will see the great benefit to technology in the classroom. I will take an active role in not only helping my pilot program to be successful, but afterwards, bringing this technology to the rest of the school. Teachers should not just be given iPads and left to be, but instead, they should be educated on how best to utilize this important classroom asset. That is not to say that teachers should not have flexibility to have trial and error of technology in their classroom. Every classroom will be unique and technology will be used differently from room to room. However, there is professional development that must walk hand in hand with the integration of technology. I plan to help other teachers, students, and parents to make the most of the new technology, now with the iPads and in the future when more technology arises.
I am but at the beginning of my career in education. I have quite a lot to still learn and experience, but knowing that I can provide my students with a quality and rewarding educational experience keeps me going. I am grateful to ACA for providing me the opportunities to grow as an educator in many different aspects.