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Persistence
Persistence
These students began their IB exams in May of 2021 empty-handed, without offers or financial aid sufficient to attend university. Kate beat the bushes and found a last-minute opportunity. She worked through the night on a Friday to be sure that her students would to be the first to apply. Both are now enrolled full-time and enjoying their first year of university. These are their happy faces on the day they received their award letters. Kate is a talented counselor who truly cares. Her persistence is motivated by her deep affection for her students, her belief in their talents, and the recognition that she can make a difference in their lives.
These students began their IB exams in May of 2021 empty-handed, without offers or financial aid sufficient to attend university. Kate beat the bushes and found a last-minute opportunity. She worked through the night on a Friday to be sure that her students would to be the first to apply. Both are now enrolled full-time and enjoying their first year of university. These are their happy faces on the day they received their award letters. Kate is a talented counselor who truly cares. Her persistence is motivated by her deep affection for her students, her belief in their talents, and the recognition that she can make a difference in their lives.
(photos shared with permission of students)
Problem Solver
Problem Solver
This student won a full-ride scholarship to Case Western Reserve University. However, Covid 19 shut down the US embassy in her home country which meant she could not apply for a student visa to the US. The embassy in Dar es Salaam would not see her before September, at which point her Tanzanian student visa would have already expired, leaving her unable to apply for a visa to the US. Kate worked intensively throughout July with Education USA and the consular officers at the embassy and was successful in getting her appointment moved forward. Kate then worked to secure block appointments for future classes. Sometimes you have to move mountains to overcome bureaucratic molehills.
This student won a full-ride scholarship to Case Western Reserve University. However, Covid 19 shut down the US embassy in her home country which meant she could not apply for a student visa to the US. The embassy in Dar es Salaam would not see her before September, at which point her Tanzanian student visa would have already expired, leaving her unable to apply for a visa to the US. Kate worked intensively throughout July with Education USA and the consular officers at the embassy and was successful in getting her appointment moved forward. Kate then worked to secure block appointments for future classes. Sometimes you have to move mountains to overcome bureaucratic molehills.
Preparing for Life Beyond
Preparing for Life Beyond
Working with students from a variety of backgrounds means anticipating a plethora of new experiences and questions which await them in their post-secondary lives. There are the normal questions: What are taxes? How do I read my pay stub? How do I calculate how much I will owe in taxes? The pandemic presented a new problem. From quarantine kate was asked "How do I open the milk?" This is a small example of the most fundamental truth when working with students, you are only as effective as your ability to anticipate challenges and react in real time to those you missed.
Working with students from a variety of backgrounds means anticipating a plethora of new experiences and questions which await them in their post-secondary lives. There are the normal questions: What are taxes? How do I read my pay stub? How do I calculate how much I will owe in taxes? The pandemic presented a new problem. From quarantine kate was asked "How do I open the milk?" This is a small example of the most fundamental truth when working with students, you are only as effective as your ability to anticipate challenges and react in real time to those you missed.
Creative Thinker
Creative Thinker
In 2020, Tanzania imposed dramatic taxes on paint imports. Kate researched how to make gesso from scratch; how to use food grade glycerin as a glazing agent with latex instead of imported arcylic paints. The painting on the left, an MYP e portfolio grade 7, uses the sap of the Acacia trees, distilled from the gum chewed by Maasai, combined with spices to make watercolour paint. With these innovations, Kate worked to create a sustainable art department. Students make their own sketchbooks, and purchase as many supplies from the local economy as possible, limiting what is imported, saving costs for the school and reducing our fossil fuel footprint. Schools and teachers must live according to the same values they teach.
In 2020, Tanzania imposed dramatic taxes on paint imports. Kate researched how to make gesso from scratch; how to use food grade glycerin as a glazing agent with latex instead of imported arcylic paints. The painting on the left, an MYP e portfolio grade 7, uses the sap of the Acacia trees, distilled from the gum chewed by Maasai, combined with spices to make watercolour paint. With these innovations, Kate worked to create a sustainable art department. Students make their own sketchbooks, and purchase as many supplies from the local economy as possible, limiting what is imported, saving costs for the school and reducing our fossil fuel footprint. Schools and teachers must live according to the same values they teach.
Design Interventions
Design Interventions
Here is an M5 Design and Technology class presenting their toy inventions to the director of a local orphanage. The designs were made entirely from materials that are locally and readily available and were to act as inspiration to for local students to develop designs of their own. Creating real life design problems which integrate with local issues is a passion.
Here is an M5 Design and Technology class presenting their toy inventions to the director of a local orphanage. The designs were made entirely from materials that are locally and readily available and were to act as inspiration to for local students to develop designs of their own. Creating real life design problems which integrate with local issues is a passion.
Destination Imagination
Destination Imagination
In Turkey, Kate and Chris, along with two other colleagues, initiated a Destination Imagination (DI) program and regional tournament. In Tanzania, there was no DI chapter but we still used the challenges and creativity to get students working in teams for Team House Challenges and to augment athletic competitions so as to make every community member feel included. Kate is a committed DI coach who loves to bring this type of problem solving skill development into every school.
In Turkey, Kate and Chris, along with two other colleagues, initiated a Destination Imagination (DI) program and regional tournament. In Tanzania, there was no DI chapter but we still used the challenges and creativity to get students working in teams for Team House Challenges and to augment athletic competitions so as to make every community member feel included. Kate is a committed DI coach who loves to bring this type of problem solving skill development into every school.
Applied Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Kate's training as an architect makes her approach to teaching Maths unique. She used graphical analysis with grade 7 students to teach not only the basic principles of bridge design, but also ratio and geometry. Similarly, cell phone towers on maps can be used to teach vectors. Kate is innovative with her methods, not just her problem sets. For example, students may practice the Pythagorean Theorem while racing around campus trying to finish a scavenger hunt of problems. Whether in the Art room or the Maths class, Kate believes her most important job is to spark interest, curiosity, and a passion for the subject matter.
Kate's training as an architect makes her approach to teaching Maths unique. She used graphical analysis with grade 7 students to teach not only the basic principles of bridge design, but also ratio and geometry. Similarly, cell phone towers on maps can be used to teach vectors. Kate is innovative with her methods, not just her problem sets. For example, students may practice the Pythagorean Theorem while racing around campus trying to finish a scavenger hunt of problems. Whether in the Art room or the Maths class, Kate believes her most important job is to spark interest, curiosity, and a passion for the subject matter.
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