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RALPH & GABY
Welcome to our website
ABOUT US
We are an experienced international teaching couple, currently working at Xiamen International School, a full IB school located in Xiamen, People's Republic of China.
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Gaby is a veteran ESL teacher who currently serves as XIS' school-wide ESL coordinator. In this position, she guides and assists the elementary and secondary ESL teachers in their support of the ESL students. Apart from that, she also teaches grade 6-9 ESL students. Gaby has prior experience in both the U.S.A. and Mexico and over the years she has developed herself as a passionate teacher with a great interest in her subject field.
Ralph is the MYP coordinator and the HoD for the Individuals and Societies department. In his role as the MYP coordinator, Ralph is responsible for leading and assisting the Middle School team through curriculum development, the creation of meaningful assessments, and new unit creation. A large part of his role also revolves around keeping in close contact with the parents. He teaches I&S at XIS' Middle School and TOK at DP level. Ralph is passionate about technology integration in the classroom and he has presented at various conferences on this topic. Ralph is also active in XIS' Model United Nations activities, preparing the students for their role in our contemporary globalised world.
"Curiosity is the engine of achievement."
Sir Ken Robinson
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE - GABY
XIAMEN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, CHINA
August 2017 - Present
As XIS' school-wide ESL Coordinator, I am in charge of designing and implementing a rigorous new school-wide ESL curriculum and continuum. I was also tasked with supporting and assisting the ESL teachers in both primary and secondary school.
EUROAMERICAN SCHOOL OF MONTERREY, MEXICO
August 2009 - June 2017
I worked at the Euroamerican School in Monterrey for over seven years. A part of my job revolved around the design and implementation of a new ESL curriculum. I also provided Spanish lessons to expat teachers at the school.
CALHOUN CITY SCHOOLS, U.S.A.
August 2004 - July 2009
In Calhoun, I worked as a pre-K teacher. I gained valuable classroom experience and was fundamental in strengthening the ties between the school and the Hispanic community.
CALHOUN CITY SCHOOLS, U.S.A.
August 2002 - July 2004
When I started at Calhoun City Schools, I worked for the office of the superintendent as a bilingual associate. After a year, I got the chance to get certified as a teacher, resulting in a classroom position.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE - RALPH
XIAMEN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, CHINA
August 2017 - Present
At XIS, I started as an MYP Individuals and Societies teacher. After a while, I got the opportunity to take up more leadership roles and currently, I'm the MYP coordinator and Head of Department for the Middle School I&S department. I have also taught Design Technology and Information Technology in a Global Society (IBDP).
EUROAMERICAN SCHOOL OF MONTERREY, MEXICO
January 2015 - June 2017
I started at the Euro in January 2014, teaching 8th Social Studies. After a year, I got promoted to Head of Department for the MS Social Studies department. I also gained ample experience as a MUN supervisor and director. It was at the Euro that I gained interest in meaningful technology integration in the classroom.
"A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning"
Brad Henry
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND - GABY
2012 - 2014
FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY, FRAMINGHAM, MA, USA
MEd -Â Master of Education with a focus on International Education, Monterrey, Mexico Cohort
2006 - 2009
KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY, KENNESAW, GA, USA
MEd -Â focussing on Educational Leadership. Programme not finished due to personal circumstances.
1995 - 2000
UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE NUEVO LEON, MONTERREY, MEXICO
BA -Â Bachelor of Arts with a major in Applied Linguistics and a minor in Language Education
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND - RALPH
2020 - t.b.d
SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY, SHEFFIELD, UK
EdD - Doctor of Education
2018 - 2020
PORTSMOUTH UNIVERSITY, PORTSMOUTH, UK
MSc - Master of Science, focusing on Educational Leadership and Management (distance learning). Graduated with Distinction.
2012 - 2013
MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY, MAASTRICHT, THE NETHERLANDS
MA - Globalisation and Development Studies with an internship at the education office of the Dutch embassy in Morocco.
2008 - 2012
FONTYS UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCE, SITTARD, THE NETHERLANDS
BEd - Major in history and a minor in geography. Internships at several schools in the Netherlands.