By Michael McAdam, American School of Dubai, French/English teacher

"Inspire Leadership" Workshop“Building a community of educators is like building a city,” said Diana Reinsmoen, Director of Curriculum and Staff Development at the American School of Dubai. “It’s an ongoing task.” Through the windows, the Burj Dubai, already the tallest building in the world and not complete, swept majestically skywards. It is an apt metaphor for this year’s professional development theme at ASD, “Building a Professional Learning Community”, as educators strive to reach greater heights of excellence.  

The American School of Dubai’s second annual Educators’ Exchange occurred October 21 and 22. Students stayed home while educators sat behind the desks. Teachers and administrators provided workshops for colleagues. Topics ranged from the practical and prosaic – Adding Bling to Bulletin Boards, to the theoretical and esoteric – Teaching: Tending the Fire without Burning Out.  

Many workshops had a practical bent to them. Allison Hart, IT paraprofessional, offered sessions dealing with new software. Cathy Morris and Renee Williams, offered a workshop on supporting students with special needs. English Department Head, Michael Sheehan, discussed challenges faced by schools as well as practical ways to strengthen the academic integrity of the entire learning community at ASD.


Kris Sheehan, Tim Mills, Phil Ridley, Stephen Bougor
working on laptop applicationsThe event began with well wishes from ASD’s Board of Trustees, represented by Anne Jafrey, ASD parent and local publisher. ASD has been very fortunate that the Board of Trustees has been so supportive in our efforts to continually improve our learning community. The days dedicated solely to professional development are proof of that commitment to excellence from the Board.  

Keynote speaker Barbara Coloroso was for many the highlight. An impassioned and witty speaker, Coloroso addressed a variety of topics. Bullying was at the forefront of the agenda.  

“Bullying at ASD happens,” acknowledges High School Counselor Jennifer Melton.  “But it’s not as prevalent as in the U.S. There are always those things we never see and never hear about. It’s definitely not as bad here as a public school in the U.S.”  

Coloroso offered practical and workable strategies for dealing with bullies. “Bullying in all its forms,” says Coloroso, “is a conscious, willful and deliberately hostile activity, intending to harm. It is not about anger, or even about conflict. It’s about contempt – a powerful feeling of dislike towards someone considered to be worthless, inferior or undeserving of respect.”

Stemming from her work in Rwanda with victims of genocide, bullying is an area of deep concern for Coloroso. Bystanders in acts of bullying are an area of particular concern. Bystanders have the chance to speak out against acts of bullying and Coloroso is adamant that students be empowered to learn the difference between tattling and telling, ratting and reporting. With the skills, students can go from passive bystanders to witnesses and defenders, helping to break the cycle of bullying.

While Barbara Coloroso entertained, moved and challenged participants, others were busy attending an on-site Buffalo State, SUNY course. “The Microcomputer in the Instructional Program” was led by Dr Shabbi Luthra. Participants investigated ways to use technology meaningfully in the classroom, which was of particular interest as ASD moves towards a laptop program in the Middle and High Schools.

“Taking this course,” says Mary Beth Murgatroyd, “has made me aware our kids are operating on a whole different level than we are as teachers.” Murgatroyd explains that delivering a curriculum with technology integrated and imbedded into the classroom is eye opening and exciting. “It might be an uncomfortable transition as most changes are uncomfortable. It means a lot of work for us, but in the end it has to happen. I think it is fascinating.”

The most exciting aspect of the Educators’ Exchange, according to Reinsmoen, is the professional dialogue supporting student learning. “The Educators’ Exchange is just one way to support professional development. The potential to include educators from other schools as presenters and participants would expand the perspectives and ignite interesting conversations about learning.”

The Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel In Even Yehuda, Israel

SEPTEMBER 9, 2007

By Marsha L. Aaronson, Superintendent

On September 9, 2007, the new campus of the Walworth Barbour American International School was dedicated to the delight of approximately 1,000 people who were there for the festivities.  The new campus includes seven buildings (ES, MS, HS, cafeteria, performing arts center, library/ administration building, and gymnasium), a swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer and baseball fields, and outdoor basketball courts.  Our architects were Plesner Architects, Haim Dotan, H2L2 who created this magnificent campus for us.

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By Jesse Remington, Middle School Tech Coordinator, ACS-Abu Dhabi

On September 23, 2007, students in Jesse Remington's 8^th Grade Applied Technology class had the opportunity to meet with representatives from Taisei Corporation an international civil engineering firm that specializes in bridges, dams, and roads among other projects worldwide. The representatives were Frank Leech, the Deputy Project Director and Ms Ayuyao, a graduate of ACS in 2002 who has her Architetural Engineering degree and is working to become a certified civil engineer.        


The students were shown a powerpoint presentation that contained information and photos detailing bridge and road projects that Taisei has been working on in the UAE. They were shown how to make bridge and house diagrams using AutoCAD software, and talked about the steps and information needed to build a bridge. They also discussed engineering as a career and the type of education required in pursuing such a career.

The class is designed to teach students about the design process and engineering topics while at the same time they learn about careers related to engineering. They also learn how to use the conceptual 3-D CAD program Google SketchUp enabling them to design projects such as a clients dream house, solar cookers, and race cars. The program is also used in Algebra and Geometry class units.

This proved to be a wonderful experience for the students and we truly value such exchanges with business members of the ACS community. The students in the class have since researched careers in various engineering fields and are designing their own creations. We are also planning a field trip to a bridge job site.

jesse-remington@acs.sch.ae

Changing Perceptions: From Colonialism to Modernism

(A report on a project presented by Grade 12 students of Mallya Aditi International School)
By Anjana Banerjee, Faculty Member

Sixty years ago India became independent on August 15, 1947. Students and teachers of the Plus Two section of the school (Grades 11 and 12) met together to explore the concept of independence and its varying implications. In this context the Visual Art students of Grade 12 made an exciting presentation on the theme of transition from Colonialism to Modernism in Indian Art.

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By Annie Traynor, The American School of Doha

What peace means to me is: people of different beliefs, cultures, looks and colors getting along. I put different colors in different ways on my peace dove because everybody comes in different colors and ways. We share the night. We share the stars. If we can share that we can share peace.

5th grade student, Dialla Jandali

Sheryl Ackerman leads the students in
singing the peace songThe American School of Doha’s elementary students and staff (including teachers, teaching assistants and administration) each designed and painted a wooden dove to represent peace. The doves were mounted on the wall that connects the upper and lower elementary schools, as a peace installation to symbolize each person’s hope for peace.

In preparation for the project, students reflected on what “peace” means to them, to their country, family, and the world. In art classes the students observed visual images about peace that were painted by Pablo Picasso. They shared poetry from a variety of countries that focused on “peace,” and they talked about the use of symbols and colors to convey the idea of “peace.”  After brainstorming in their sketchbooks for unique ways to symbolize peace, each student created a sample on paper and refined ideas for the final project.

Parents and high schools students volunteered to help the art teachers varnish each peace dove and mount it on the “PEACE WALK” wall. The result is an art installation that features the talents of the students and staff of the American School of Doha. Viewed collectively the wall appears colorful and bright. Each dove viewed individually speaks visually about a desire and dream of peace.


During the peace walk dedication Sheryl Ackerman led the ASD elementary students in singing the peace song, "A Power Such as This." The 5th grade student council president, Neil Deramchi delivered the following speech:  

In this project I learned that peace was essential on earth, otherwise happiness wouldn't exist. Peace doesn't only stop war, it also helps ASD become one big family. I hope that people who see the PEACE WALL will feel peace and realize how important it is. I also hope they realize how much all ASD students care about peace. What I love about this project was how you had to put your words about peace into a dove painting. I must say that everyone did a superb job. Remember peace is not just a word, peace starts with believing. You must believe it and help make it happen.

atraynor@asd.edu.qa