What inspired you to work for Suraasa?
We have a desire to bring the craft of teaching into the 2020's. Teaching students where they learn (i.e. the thumb generation) instead of asking children to learn where we taught in the “old days.” I am in the later stages of my career and wanted teachers of this generation to have an advantage of pedagogy, techniques, and strategies, that I did not have when I began my teaching career.
Presenting one of our partner schools with their teacher improvement awards.
Describe a typical day at work.
7 a.m. - 8 a.m. I complete admissions interviews for candidates that will come into the PGCTL program. Then 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. I spend time in our partner schools helping them with general school improvement, teacher journeys to improvement, and creating and delivering workshops centered around the PGCTL learning continuum. Weekends are spent teaching the PGCTL classes to our current students.
What is your favorite part of your job?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is seeing teachers, both new and experienced, try one of our methods, techniques, and strategies. It's truly heartwarming to see the big smile on their faces when it works. This is what motivates me every day, the growing teachers and the positive impact this has on their students.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
My last 13 years of experience in the Middle East and the first 17 years of my career in the USA have given me numerous stories and pieces of advice about what works and what doesn't in schools. One key lesson I have learned is that the "rule of one" is much better than trying 10 things at once.
This is a picture with my family and me enjoying our time in Zurich, Switzerland.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Get my documents attested earlier in the process. Also I would do much more studies on the culture of the region (not just the religion). I would also ask the school before joining what their specific action plan items are for their teachers in the upcoming school year. These three things would have helped me and my family settle into the process easier and sooner.
What makes Suraasa special?
At Suraasa, we take great pride in the quality of services we offer to our teachers and soon-to-be teachers. Our constant commitment to help teachers excel is evident in the way we consistently review and enhance our teaching practices, ensuring that we are always up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations. By staying ahead of the curve and anticipating the needs of the students of 2023 and beyond, we are able to equip our teachers with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their classrooms.
Why should someone choose Suraasa over competitors?
The quality of teacher training we provide is unmatched in the industry. The practical side of a postgraduate certificate in teaching and learning vs education allows our graduates to put these learned areas into place and watch them work (or not work) and then report back so we can support them in their journey.
What is Suraasa's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to make teaching a rewarding and respected career in the world again. I personally carry this torch in all aspects of my job. From the questions we ask a candidate to be selected to join our PGCTL, to the craft of my own teaching as I teach the teachers in their PGCTL lessons, to the mock interview sessions I give them as a previous school leader and principal.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I believe they take away skills of teaching children in 2023 and beyond. We work very hard to make sure the teachers in our program are introduced and engrossed in multiple updates in strategies and techniques of teaching that can carry across different countries and continents around the world. It is also independent of the curriculum because we know these skills can be useful and any curriculum.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
The most obvious question is "Can this help me get a job in ______?" We respond with the truthful answer. If the place you desire to move and teach in accepts a level 6 teaching qualification out of the UK, then it will help you.
Another question is "I don't want to be a lecture teacher anymore, can you help me?" Of course we can help and do help. Teaching is ever changing and ever growing, just like all other jobs in the world. We must adapt as our children adapt.
This is another group family photo, but this time we were exploring Greece.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Multiple experiences in life help brains develop. The internet is useful, but the smells, tastes, and sounds of a different environment are the best components of learning. It is also important for the children of today to experience new things such as buying bread in a country different from their own. They will see the world through eyes of acceptance rather than differences.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
One thing I would recommend individuals thinking about going abroad is: GO, SEE, DO, EXPERIENCE. It has been the most valuable feeling I've had as a parent to allow my children (and myself) to teach physics and chemistry to children of all backgrounds, religions, races, countries of origin. At the end of the day, it's learning!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
I have had the opportunity to write a special curriculum about 'culture in the classroom'. It maximizes the brain's growth, capacity, and learning. My family and I have been fortunate to travel to many different countries in the world as well as teach in different curriculums and countries. We are enriched.
