Foreign Languages and Humanity

My student Asal at Canadian International School - Erbil .
I believe it is owned by Ahmed Rekani, I think a relative of بنكين ريكاني Bangen Rekani Minister of Construction Iraq.

I had a misunderstanding about Jewish authors missing from student, teacher textbooks at the school. I'm grateful to Ahmed, Bangen, and Raymond, it was fixed. Cognia

Asal here, supported me when I stood on principles. Not an easy thing to do.
Omar Suleiman Lauren Booth M***i Ismail Menk Videos Foundation to Combat Antisemitism United States Commission on International Religious Freedom

Yet, she is special, unique, because she comprehends at her young age, the best religion, is not one is born into.

It is how we treat those who can do nothing for us, in return. How we tolerate and forgive differences among the human species. And how we stand up for those who are vulnerable, and powerless. Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir 文部科学省 MEXT Gillian Keegan British Council Iraq EducationUSA Iraq Educators Without Borders International

She reminds me of Laila Ali. It was my honor, my privilege to have taught her. She is an outstanding human. And will do wonderful things for the world. World Health Organization (WHO) I'm 💯% certain.

"The highest result of education is tolerance."
Helen Keller

My students at American International School .

Maryam Hameed is a genius (on my right). Very gifted, intelligent, learns languages quickly.
( International Language Academy)

Melak, in Arabic, means angel. The name fits. She is on my far right. She has an explosive personality, deep affectionate kindness.
( Teaching Kindness Matters)

Mohammed, in the back, is the life of any gathering. He, like me, is a social butterfly, love to laugh.
( International Journal of TESOL & Education)

These students obtained an education within a war zone in Northern during the offensive. They are heroes.

They all shared an exceptional trait toward learning new ideas, exploring new things.
I believe the sense of vulnerability to their volatile environment, bolstered innovation.
I was impressed with them.

( World Class Innovation NAFSA Association of International Educators )

I will miss them. I wish them the best always. ❤️

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.“

Brené Brown

Teaching English at Ube Foreign Language Center （宇部外語センター） in . I allowed preparation for responses in English to questions.
( 文部科学省 MEXT)

Fulfilled monitoring process during delivery of each query. Last segment of classes, was reviewing and addressing weaknesses, fixing them. Following class, made certain points from this class was learned - due dilligence.
( International Journal of TESOL & Education)

These students are wonderful. I miss them. I love my Japanese people ❤️
( Teachers Matter British Council Iraq Teaching English Abroad)

Ube Gaigo Language center no longer offers adult language courses, shortly after I left, sadly. It was an agreement between me and the center. 👍 Nevertheless, the administration was wonderful. ❤️

( Educators Without Borders International Amideast/Iraq وزارة التربية العراقية )

"Educators are the only people who lose sleep over other people's kids." – @
Nicholas A. Ferroni

Note -
The center also subcontracts with 宇部興産株式会社 宇部ケミカル工場 UBE Corporate Solutions that provides the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) United States Air Force tyranno fibers for their X-2 stealth fighters.

My students at American International School . Very polite, respectable, and astute visionaries. Teaching jobs abroad Teach & Travel Magazine

My privilege to have taught them.
These will be the future. They will fix everything, I believe. British Council Iraq

When the PUK's problems, are the PDK's problems. And vice versa. Therein the mentality exists for an independent Kurdish Iraq. Kurdistan24

After its institutions are built for Democracy, Kurdish Iraq, will then maybe become, Kurdistan. Democracy International

I am confident this generation can begin to build it. And I believe they know from me, hopefully, it starts with truth, as a foundation. It was my honor to have been their teacher. Former Secretary Ben Carson

“Tell the truth. If you tell the truth all the time you don’t have to worry three months down the line about what you said three months earlier. Truth is always the truth. You won’t have to complicate your life by trying to cover up.”

My student Nazee. Always approached the front, immediately after class was over, with a plethora of inquisitive queries, matching the piercing curiosity of astute engineers and genius scientists. British Council Iraq

She was supposed to be someone great.

I remember picking her up, her smiles. She was top of her class in intellect. Her heart was precious ❤️
文部科学省 MEXT

I feel like it was yesterday for me.

I will miss her deeply. They say in English, "The good die young." Its true.
International Teacher Magazine

"Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them." George Eliot

My and my boss, Aveen Hawrami, next to me, with Zeravani at American International School .
NAFSA Association of International Educators

She was one of the best bosses in the Middle East, until there were problems with accreditation, at this school. Education Week

A good boss, leader,principal, knows how to recognize weaknesses, strengths of each human resource, and put them in positions to shine. There is no such thing as a useless resource. I feel Aveen understood that.
Pioneer Leadership

I felt this school had a close relationship with for some reason, I can't explain. The students were the best though.
Alliance for International Education

"In the past a leader was a boss. Today's leaders must be partners with their people... they no longer can lead solely based on positional power." Ken Blanchard

Graduation at American International School . It was a great moment to share this experience with students.
I won't forget.
NAFSA Association of International Educators

On my left is Aveen Hawrami, principal. She was one of my best bosses, until the Ministry of Education -KRG announced publicly, the school was not recognized.
Education Week

On my right, last, Faed Surchi. Next to Aveen, is Mr. Reese, U.S. Consulate General Erbil.

The students were amazing. The best I've taught in the Middle East for a decade. I wish them all the best in their endeavors.
Teaching jobs abroad

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited.” – Plutarch

My students at Modern American School, Basel and Saad. They both performed their upmost to boldly maintain a smile on my face, introduce laughter to every experience. I appreciate them for that.
Blyth Academy

We had our own little family, at MAS. They all have a page in my book, a place in my heart. I regret leaving MAS. Leaving them was a mistake.
Teach & Travel Magazine

Basel is now a model. A teacher knows his job is complete, when the student exceeds the teacher. Basel has more muscle than me today 😁 I'm proud of him.
CISV International

Saad, he is no.. I don't know what Saad is doing nowadays. I just know he is extremely polite, and possesses a white heart.
Alliance for International Education

I wish them the best. All the success. Their success, I feel is mine also.
وزارة التربية والتعليم الأردنية

“Laughter is no enemy to learning.” ―Walter Disney
Disney World, Orlando Fla

My student's letter at International Independent Schools' students in . I miss him a lot ❤️

A few "bad" people in tried to close my chapter. Their leadership is close to .

They work for an empire, they sell the language of empire, and that empire, is afraid of me. 👀

When I arrived in , I said, I am here until American troops leave. Watch them leave!

The answer to freeing Palestine, is in Iraq. Remove the dependency, addiction, to an abusive parent or job, and you will fly high, and reach your goals.

There is a . There is a

End the siege. Free Palestine. Insha Allah



GAZA NOW Palestinians in Kuwait

My students at . One on my far right is Prime Minister Abdalla Ensour عبدالله النسور family member, Abdel Kareem.
Institute of International Education (IIE)
文部科学省 MEXT

These kids approached learning, with energy, excitement. They were polite, and quick learners. We had a lot of fun. I was impressed by them.
British Council Jordan

As Professor Stephen Krashen posits, removing anxiety aids the acquisition process. This class proved it true.
ブリティッシュ・カウンシル英会話スクール British Council Japan English Applied Linguistics

I also taught them a little Japanese, in addition to English. 😁

I wish them the best in all their future endeavors. It was my honor and privilege. I will never forget them 🙏
Teaching Matters

"What we learn with pleasure we never forget." Alfred Mercier

Posing with my student at International Independent Schools .
NAFSA Association of International Educators

I realized too late what his hoodie said - I studied Spanish. He was a very diligent student, respectful and hard-working. He has very good manners.
British Council Jordan

I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

As always, the administration is horrible, students amazing. The school needs to avoid changing grades for students, with affluent parents, or parents working for the school. And they shouldn't withhold salaries unless an employee signs away their rights.
International Labour Organization
وزارة التربية والتعليم الأردنية

"Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners."
Laurence Sterne

Posing with my student at International Independent Schools .
.palestine

I realized too late what his hoodie said - I studied Spanish. He was a very diligent student, respectful and hard-working. He has very good manners.


I wish him the best in his future endeavors.


As always, the administration is horrible, students amazing. The school needs to avoid changing grades for students, with affluent parents, or parents working for the school. And they shouldn't withold salaries unless an employee signs away their rights.org

"Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners."
Laurence Sterne

My students at in .

Some adults, admin, are horrible, as often. They pray 5 times daily, can't grasp fundamental employment rights. The school canceled my contract, while I was abroad.
International Labour Organization

The one responsible works here now. Golden Future School

Nevertheless, the children are wonderful. These kids had a lot of energy. They learned a watered-down Cornell University note-taking version. We also made videos together and more.

They need more access to native speaking teachers to bolster common usage, remove translation errors, demonstrate proper idiom usage, and more. They also need better textbooks and curricula.

There is a high prevalence of absence of qualified instructors and they're being over-charged for outdated textbooks and curricula by foreign accrediting agencies.
Corruption Watch

I hope they get better.
Teaching Children Teaching Children ESL

I will miss them and wish them the best.

“A good teacher isn’t someone who gives the answers out to their kids but is understanding of needs and challenges and gives tools to help other people succeed.” — Justin Trudeau

My student Mazyar at the .
British Council Iraq

Some claim he is weird, but he is unique. He reflects deeply on topics, from different perspectives. This is beneficial to group efforts, I believe. He's creative. He's also honest.
EducationUSA Iraq

It is through such Kurds, independence will be realized. Not in dynasties.
Theirworld

Though he does not speak often, when he does, he means it. Listen.
Linday International Schools

"Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on." Thurgood Marshall

Two of my students at the . Very down-to-earth students who made my experience enjoyable.
Cambridge assessment international education

Raha, like me, takes life easy. We focus on the big picture and understand life is much more than grades, certificates.

These two were like the wolves of the school. They were always around, checking everyone out, getting involved, while making people smile. 😁
NAFSA Association of International Educators

I will miss them both. I wish them the best.

"Life is like a roller coaster, live it, be happy, enjoy life." Avril Lavigne

My students at . These females were the Charlie's Angels of the school. The male student, Berhan, was their cheerleader. 😁
Theirworld Lucy Liu Cameron Diaz

All of them were hospitably kind, exceptionally bright, and vibrant with positive inspirational energy. Their minds are open to paving a new future for any nation lucky to claim them. I was simply honored to be their lucky teacher.
NAFSA Association of International Educators

They survived a war zone in Northern and genocide. They're real heroes and heroines here. I wish them all the best, I miss them ❤️
Teachers Matter British Council Iraq

“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it's less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you've lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that's good.”
― Elizabeth Edwards

My student at Canadian International School - Erbil in Kurdish Iraq. He was always cheerful, positive, and simply a wonderful student.

I was privileged to have taught him. I wish him the best always ❤️

"The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness." Michel de Montaigne

Note # # # # # #

The school had Jewish authors ripped out of student textbooks, I complained to
Cambridge assessment international education and British Council Iraq . At the time Cambridge accredited the school and the British Council Iraq cooperated with it.

I later learned, Ishik Ronaki International School also had the same textbooks. CFCA / The Coordination Forum for Countering Antisemitism

Maurice Dimmock of Asic accreditation stated he would fix the issue since he was over Ronaki School.

Chairman of the Council of Investors for Kurdish Iraq, Ahmed Rekani, is above both above schools.
Amnesty International Suisse

I believe his relative, Bangen Rekani, is former Minister of Justice in Kurdish , currently Minister of Construction in .
朝日新聞（The Asahi Shimbun） Human Rights Watch Nederlands

Also, the Minister of Religious Affairs in Kurdish Iraq is his relative, Mullah Ihsan Rekani.
Transparency International Ireland

Mullah Ihsan Rekani once filed a slander/defamation complaint against journalist Omed Baroshki in 2021 for insulting the State of Kurdish Iraq. Justin Trudeau

There is no Kurdish Iraq. It's Iraq.
PEN International UK House of Lords UK House of Commons Cognia

Blog of my experience at Canadian School:

https://sirajdavis.wordpress.com/2019/12/01/the-canadian-international-school-kurdistan-erbil-and-anne-frank-anti-semitic-school/

My students at the . They were a great bunch. Always students amazing, administration unqualified, abusive.

But, I won't forget these youth. The future of an independent Kurdistan lies within them.
I look forward to great things from them.
I will miss them. Teachers Club

As a 13 year veteran teacher, six languages (authenticated by Amideast ), an author with over 30 publications. Learning Hubb

I hope they witnessed, a real teacher works inside and outside the classroom, for their future. No one does it better ❤️
Institute of International Education (IIE)

Our last lesson was about integrity.

"Textbook intelligence is not true intelligence. It only marks a man good at memorization."
Suzy Kassem

Throwback. My students at . These were some of the most authentic, realest. I won't forget them. They're in my book 📙 Times Higher Education

I hope I instilled the belief authenticity, means something. Avoid giving, being kind, to bolster pride in nation, religion race, etc.
Do it, because it is simply the right thing to do. You'll never be disappointed. I promise.
Compassion International

I also hope I instilled the value of integrity should never be compromised. And the power of written, or spoken words, can make a difference.
Teaching Matters

I wish them the best in all their endeavors.

"Authenticity can't be replicated or faked. You're either real or you're not."
Bibi Bourelly



You were correct. The youth demand authenticity. Matt Gaetz

Took a pic with a colleague at Classical School of the Medes in Kurdish Iraq. Students and colleagues always great.

Administration, mostly unqualified, abusive, horrible. Teaching is FUN Times Higher Education

This one was a decent guy. Very welcoming, warm, and straight forward like me.
Institute of International Education (IIE)

I'm not the smartest fellow in the world, but I can sure pick smart colleagues. Franklin D. Roosevelt

My students at the These two were very polite students, honest and kind.
EducationUSA Iraq

They applied themselves completely, hungered for knowledge and achievement, opportunity and recognition. It was my pleasure teaching them. TEACHing Exaltation

Kurdistan's independence rests in the youth's hands. The adults destroyed, corrupted the chances. I am hoping the seeds will sprout into something beautiful in the future when time.
Theirworld

“Teachers are the one and only people who save nations.”
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

My student Rawezh Rwandze at the American International School of . I felt we were raised from the same family, though we weren't. USAID Education

Me and him had the very same sense of humor, and approached education and life with an open mind. Every day was fun. NAFSA Association of International Educators

And like me, he knows right and wrong, more so than adults and George. His moral compass is like mine. Finally, we both lost weight and look better :) Amideast/Iraq

I think our last lesson together, was about integrity. I won't forget him ever. 文部科学省 MEXT

"Anyone who claims to be a leader must speak like a leader. That means speaking with integrity and truth,"
Kamala Harris

Great students at the American Language Preparation Center in . As always, the students are wonderful. They make teaching, worth it. I will miss them, wish them the best in life.
الائتلاف الأردني للتعليم للجميع Jordanian Coalition for Education for all Democracy for the Arab World Now - DAWN

I believe the center is connected to the former American ESL Center operated by Kara Murphy and her husband. The center is run by their former students, located in the same building on Queen Rania Street, next to Majdi Mall, two floors below the American ESL Center. Transparency International Anti Corruption Foundation Of World Prime Ministry of Jordan رئاسة الوزراء - الأردن

I closed the American ESL Center, after submitting audio recordings to Randolph Cline at ETS-Education Testing Service and others. The owner offered money, under threat of termination, to bring students to cheat on the TOEFL exam. I believe U.S. Department of State officials at the U.S. Embassy - Jordan may have possibly been involved also. TOEFL

The audio can be found within this article beforeitsnews.com:
https://beforeitsnews.com/international/2013/03/on-the-kings-agenda-for-reform-in-jordan-the-american-esl-center-a-professional-nightmare-video-2454290.html?currentSplittedPage=0

It wasn't about religion, politics, it was simply integrity. Any normal human with good parentage, religion, upbringing, would do the same. Academic Integrity Movement Group U.S. Department of Education

I hope the corruption in the Middle East improves.
The Guardian Japan Today

These are some of my favorite students at the American International School Erbil Kurdistan. Paper 1, and Paper 2.
ETS-Education Testing Service

Though shy, they were the guardian angels of the school, quietly hovering around, observing all while secretly commenting. Don't let their shyness fool you though. They were outspoken when necessary. They did great during public speech class. NAFSA Association of International Educators Teaching Matters

Very sweet students. I won't forget them and wish them the best in future stacks and files. U.S. Department of Education

“The future of the world is in my classroom today.” –
Ivan Welton Fitzwater Ivanovich

BII - British International Institute in Kurdish . Zina here was one of the best colleagues I worked beside. Sweet, hard-working, and qualified. She always kept the environment pleasant,found a solution to any challenge quickly. She's amazing. I won't forget her and wish her the best.

The center is affiliated with the بزوتنەوەی گۆڕان Gorran Movement, run by Ibrahim Gorran. It was a good place to work. English Teaching

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The center owner didn't return emails, phone calls. I am still missing my salary. Employment rights, are human rights. We can't decry human rights violations for our own identity, when daily violating others' rights. And the best religion, in my opinion, is how we treat our employees.
International Labour Organization

Also, a couple of the western foreigners that worked here, were kind of suspiciously sketchy. Stephen and Austin, were a oddly left-leaning adventurous type, seeking battle combat duo. They didn't seem there to be English teachers, I think. Anyway. Press TV English العربية DAILY SABAH Wall Street English Iran english centre

“You can’t change the world alone- you will need some help - and to truly get from your starting point to your destination takes friends, colleagues, and the goodwill of strangers, and a strong coxswain to guide them.” - William H. McRaven

Enjoying myself in the classroom at the prior Social Studies class. I know my skill, trade. Leave me alone, let me teach, that respect for teachers, demonstrates sincere care for the students' future. Teachers Club

Sadly, most private English schools are solely businesses, the students know. Ask them. I hope this changes.
teacher

Good times :)

"Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition."
― Jacques Barzun

My students from Berlitz, Damascus, Syria .The very first students I taught in the Middle East. They were Christian/Muslim survivors of genocide and American invasion.

They invited me to Maloula, Syria. One of the very few locations in earth where Aramaic, the language of Jesus is spoken.
Educators Without Borders International

I had a great time ❤️👍

“The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live.”
— Mortimer Adler

Some of the best ladies I've taught in the Middle East at the American International School Kurdistan Erbil. International Baccalaureate

Very exuberantly open-minded toward education, extremely sweet, and hopeful for a modern Iraq, one day. They embraced United Nations principles. Ironically, Babylon, Iraq, was the birthplace for Human Rights, and one day she will return.

I wish them the best in all their future endeavors. Council of International Schools

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Human Rights Education Amnesty International Human Rights Education & Advocacy

Some of the best students I taught in the Middle East for a decade at the American International School Erbil Kurdistan.
Teaching is FUN British Council Sri Lanka

Energetically fresh, with deep desire to learn. We all amalgamated fun, life, and learning into one successful combination. I won't forget them ever. International Education International Schools of kenana (National Section) - Official group

"Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from." Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation