AISM
2022 -2023 August Newsletter
Director's Message,
Dear AISM Community - Welcome to the 2022 - 2023 School Year!
Hopefully everyone has enjoyed the summer break, taking the time to unwind, relax and have a bit of fun with family and friends. My summer was spent mostly with my family in Las Vegas. I indulged in the most yummy desserts every night! I'm back to my Liberian selections of fresh fruits and vegetables and only an occasional sweet.
Part of my summer break was a week long 2022 AERO Leaders Conference. AERO - American Educators Reaching Out http://projectaero.org/ AERO is a project supported by the U.S. State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS) and the Overseas Schools Advisory Council to assist schools in developing and implementing standards-based curricula. The focus was on critical and rigorous teaching. Our AISM teacher orientation was focused on sharing what was learned at the conference and implementation as we move into the 2022 school year.
We are excited to see everyone and for everyone to see the improvements throughout the campus. Particularly, the Library renovations, which were in part, due to the generous donation from the AISM PTA 2021- 2022. We are not 100% finished as we are awaiting books and computer resources that will be shipped from the US. We will have a Grand re-Opening of the Library in September. We have included introductions of some of our New Faculty for the 2022 - 2023 school year. Along with other updates and information. Looking forward to seeing everyone on August 15th!
Kind regards,
Dr.Bobbi
Bobbi Mc Daniel Ed.D.
Director
COVID UPDATE as of August 12th
We are still in the wave of COVID,, hopefully the end of the storm. As of today we have had 3 cases of COVID on campus.
We are starting the year off with an abundance of caution with the following protocol:
AISM COVID Protocols for Start of School - August 15th
Mask will be worn in the classroom.
Hands will be washed upon arrival and frequently.
Temperatures will not be checked unless symptoms are present.
If your child is sick, unwell, feverish, (chronically coughing) please keep them at home.
We do not require a negative COVID test to return to school. However, 5 days of quarantine and no fever are recommended by the CDC.
Ms. Allison Mallory - Principal
Greetings,
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year. My name is Allison Mallory, and I am excited to welcome students and families to the 2022-23 school year in my new role as the school principal. I am delighted that you will be a part of our amazing learning community this year as we continue the academic year with a “Growth Mindset”.
Our goal is to be a community working hard toward excellence and academic success filled with phenomenal learning experiences. As we embark on this learning adventure, we pledge to students and parents that this will be a year of rigorous, relevant, and engaging work in our classrooms with special events and activities.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with students, parents, and members of the AISM community this school year. By working together, we will provide an outstanding educational experience for all students.
Sincerely,
Allison Mallory, Principal
Ms. Mallory, her daughter Brooke and granddaughter Maliyah on vacation in St. Maarten this Summer.
MEET OUR NEW AISM FACULTY
Mr. Rafael Serna- MS/HS - Computer Class and Algebra
Hi!
I'm Rafael Serna, I am Mexican and married to Mariana Cabrera. I have two kids, a baby boy of 11 months old and a daughter who is 9 years old. I like to play any kind of sport, indeed, I was a volleyball player for 20 years and a female volleyball coach for 25 years. I enjoy making barbecues and playing with my kids.
I have a Master of Science, in Education, and a Bachelor of Science, in Computer Science. I have 30 years of experience in the field of teaching from many different positions. Within this period, I have participated in technology companies, and prestigious universities of Mexico, also worked in the American School of Torreón and Venezuela.
I chose AISM because I like challenges and I was excited to work on a new continent.
Mariana Cabrera
Hi! My name is Mariana Cabrera; I am Venezuelan and married to Rafael Serna. I have a baby boy of 11 months old and a stepdaughter who is 9 years old. I'm a teacher with nine years of experience in the education field, specifically in Early Childhood and Elementary school. During those years I worked in 3 different American schools: Venezuela, Mexico, and Liberia.
I currently have a certificate in Early Childhood and a bachelor's degree in engineering. This year I will begin my studies to earn my master's in education. Some of the things I like to do are cook, read books, watch movies, and spend time with my family and friends. I love to eat sweet treats, organize things and plan events.
This is my second time working at AISM; I am pleased to be back to the AISM family. I am grateful for the warm welcome to me and my family. I chose to come back because the first time I worked here, I had a great experience with the school community. Also, I am excited for the professional growth and development opportunities that AISM now offers for international teachers. Moreover, I am able to work close to my family members.
Introducing Shalom Massalay - Computer Science Teacher K-5
Shalom P. Massalay is a graduate (honor student) of the Blue Crest University
College in Liberia with a Bachelor’s degree in IT (Specialized in Software Engineering).
She is an enthusiastic, dedicated, courteous and versatile young person with an
outstanding academic background and excellent attitude towards work.
Shalom is a hardworking and ambitious individual with a great
passion for Software Development, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security.
Shalom chose to teach at AISM because after teaching the after-school Coding Club
several months ago, her interest in interacting with young minds grew. Imparting
knowledge and guiding them through the learning process. AISM
also offers the perfect opportunity for her to use and hone her skills.
Introducing our 5th Grade Teacher - Ms. Catherine Karim
I am Ms. Karim and this will be my ninth year working within the education field. Prior to teaching full time, I was a substitute teacher for three years and a building substitute for two years at various public school districts within metro Detroit. I earned a Bachelors of Science degree from Wayne State University and a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of Michigan. I chose to work at AISM to not only gain a unique experience but to also be provided a platform in which I am able to share the skills and knowledge I have gained throughout my academic and professional career. During my leisure time, I enjoy spending time with my family and two cats, Pete and Ginger. I also spend a lot of time cooking, baking, and docrating special occasion cakes. During the spring and summer months, I am mostly lost in my vegetable and flower garden.
My teaching philosophy is quite simple. Being passionate in working to educate and reach children of all demographics is key. Developing and fostering strong and trusting relationships with students must be a top priority. In achieving success within the classroom, research has shown a strong correlation between positive student-teacher relationships and success level. On an average day in my classroom, students are occupied with engaging activities, interactive projects, and literacy based on the adaptable level of each student. It is essential that students are able to build on their strengths as well as their weaknesses. An effective teacher builds on the success of his/her students by focusing on key practices. Some of these practices include providing a safe and inclusive learning environment, an accepting and encouraging classroom community, and lastly, a consistent classroom management strategy to ensure repeated positive behavior patterns. I believe that the most significant learning occurs in situations in which are composed of realistic and meaningful instruction. I look forward to a creative and wonderful learning experience this school year at AISM.
Important Dates & Reminders:
- August 15th - First Day of School
- August 24th - Flag Day (Liberian Holiday) No School.
- September 5th - Labor Day (US Holiday) No School.
- September 7th-9th - MAP Testing - Regular School Day
- September 16th - Open House 3:00pm - 5:00pm
- September 30th - Teacher Professional Development - NO SCHOOL