Hello! My name is Aidar Abdullin, and I am thrilled to share my journey as an elementary school homeroom teacher with you. I previously served as a Head of Department, and I am currently an IB PYP homeroom grade teacher. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of teaching a diverse range of subjects, including English, Science, Math, Art, Scholastic Esports, and student leadership.

Teaching has always been my passion. As a student, I often found myself reflecting on how I would approach teaching differently than the educators I admired. While I had great teachers, I constantly questioned how I would handle their responsibilities. Now, as an educator, I embrace the opportunity to be creative in lesson design, always prioritizing my students' perceptions and experiences.

I believe that a teacher is much like a coach—a long-time coach at that. Each student has their own unique pace and learning style, and it's essential to create an atmosphere of safety and trust in the classroom. By building strong connections with my students, I facilitate an environment where learning occurs naturally.

With a Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) and a Master of Education (M. Ed.), I have taught in international schools across Côte d'Ivoire, Russia, Kuwait, and now Qatar. I have been fortunate to work alongside exceptional educational leaders who have inspired and supported me throughout my teaching career. I am always eager to experiment with new technology, methods, and teaching systems, and I believe in the power of collaboration. My motto is to "steal" (or learn) effective practices from fellow teachers and implement them in my classroom immediately.

In addition to my teaching role, I am proud to serve as a North American Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) Mentor. Together, we help teachers and schools worldwide establish or enhance their Esports club programs and integrate them with the curriculum.

As a Student Leadership Coordinator, I am dedicated to nurturing leadership and teamwork skills among my students, ensuring they are prepared to thrive in their future endeavors.

On a lighter note, I have a unique hobby that stems from my involvement in the international expat teachers' community—I love to grow pumpkins! What began as a lighthearted joke has turned into a collection of over 100 pumpkin seeds from 27 different countries. Teachers have generously brought me seeds from their travels, and I enjoy growing them on the farm (though it can be challenging in the Middle East). The heaviest pumpkin I’ve harvested weighed an impressive 24.700 kg, which I donated to our school cafeteria for a delightful dessert that everyone enjoyed.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to sharing insights, experiences, and perhaps a few pumpkin-growing tips along the way!