Hello! My name is Aidar Abdullin. I am an elementary school homeroom teacher. I have taught English, Science, Math, Art, Scholastic Esports, and student leadership. I also work as a Head of Department in my current school. Ever since I can remember, I have loved teaching. As a student looking at my teachers at school, I always thought I would teach things differently. I had great teachers but always questioned myself how I would act in their shoes. Now I have the chance to be creative in lesson design and think of the students’ perceptions first.

I define a Teacher as the same person as a Coach. A long-time Coach. Every student has his own pace and style of learning. You create an atmosphere of safety and trust in the classroom and spend a lot of time connecting with students. Then the learning happening itself!

I have a B. Ed. and M. Ed. I have worked as an Elementary School Teacher in international schools in Côte d'Ivoire, Russia, and now in Kuwait. I was fortunate enough to have great educational administration leaders who inspired and supported me throughout my teaching career. I always try and experiment with new technology, methods, and teaching systems. I ‘steal” (learn) new practices that work from fellow teachers and immediately implement them in my class - that’s my motto :).

I am also a North American Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) Mentor and we are helping teachers and schools around the world to establish or support their Esports club programs and link with the curriculum.

Besides my teaching, I am a Student Leadership Coordinator and I believe we are helping students to develop leadership and teamwork skills throughout our courses.

I might have a “strange” hobby but working in the international expat teachers' community has its own benefits. I like to grow pumpkins! Now I have more than 100 pumpkin seeds collected from 27 countries. It started as a joke and teachers brought me pumpkin seeds from the country they visited for vacation. Usually, I grow them on the farm (in Kuwait it’s a bit hard), harvest them, and share them with teachers. The heaviest one that I ever had (24.700 kg.) I donated to the school cafeteria and the whole school (teachers and students) had an incredible dessert.

I have a wonderful wife, who inspires me in my career path and supports me with everyday challenges. The greatest gift my wife has ever given me is our daughter. They’re my world. Knowing my family is watching me gives me the motivation I need to achieve my goals.