Global Teachers with Diverse Perspectives

Our teachers come to GEMS from all over the world with collective experiences teaching on six different continents. Some of these locations include Brazil, Italy, France, Greece, Kenya, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Singapore, and Australia. Through these diverse experiences, our teachers are modeling what it means to be lifelong learners who exemplify the learner profile attributes. They take risks to immerse themselves in a new way of life, and they approach unfamiliar situations with inquiring, open-minded attitudes.
 
While fourth grade teacher, Katie Warner, was teaching in Hong Kong, she developed a “deep appreciation of how it feels to be new and speak a different language.” Reflecting on her time outside of the U.S. has given Ms. Warner a new perspective on the value of empathy, relationships, and connecting with each of her students.
 
Prior to teaching music at GEMS, Amanda Lang taught in Costa Rica, Thailand, China, and Egypt. She views music as a universal language and has used this as a means of communicating with her students. Ms. Lang believes that when students make personal connections, they learn more about themselves and their cultures while also learning content. The diverse backgrounds of students and teachers “bring a richness to each class that we wouldn’t have otherwise.”

GEMS World Academy-Chicago is a community of global citizens who strive to become knowledgeable about the world and make a positive impact. Culture and diversity are integral components of the International Baccalaureate curriculum.