Page 20 - Education February 2022 final_Neat

AN OASIS OF EDUCATION

Jo-Anne Malan - KG teacher at AIA

Arab International Academy is an oasis where students and teachers that bond teachers and create a strong sense of community; all this and
alike come to quench their thirst for knowledge in a vibrant and more add to the multi-faceted well-being of the staff at AIA.
positive learning environment characterized by openness, diversity, and
international mindedness and filled with laughter and a passion to learn. What makes Arab International Academy special is that they have
managed to strike a balance between implementing a rigorous
My first impression as I entered the campus on that scorching summer’s academic program yet still being able to treat each student as an
day was one of professionalism. I was welcomed by the primary individual - individuals that have their own needs, wants, and most
leadership team who took me on a tour around the school and guided importantly dreams. The culture of the school is like a good cup of
me through the induction week. coffee, the perfect blend of professionalism and family.

The staff at AIA are similar to the sumac you will use to create intriguing Speaking of family, the emphasis that is placed on family values at Arab
meals. The spice gives the dish a splash of colour, subtly enhances the International Academy is restorative. Often, society will find themselves
flavour but leaves you with a hint of citrus in the back of your throat that so busy trying to paint the perfect picture for strangers that they forget
you, quite frankly, can’t and don’t want to get around. Conversations to take a step back and admire the masterpiece right in front of them.
with fellow personnel are rich and diverse, as everyone has a different We are the artists of our own lives, and Arab International Academy
background and captivating story to share. To have the privilege of provides staff and students with an unimaginable palette to choose
being transported to another world is a personal choice that you make, from so that we may also have the opportunity to paint our own unique
and it is to slow down for a bit and give someone something incredibly masterpiece.
valuable, your time.
Our most important influencer being the people and students that we
You cannot help but join in the aromatic blends created by the different meet along the rough, dusty, and achingly beautiful journey that we
committees at school. The Sunshine Committee will make sure that your call life. We tend to ignore, and as simply as Maya Angelou put it, that
birthday is celebrated and surprises you with mouth-watering treats people will eventually forget what you did, but people will never forget
every now and then, not to mention the team building competitions how you made them feel.

20 EDUCATION
DURING THE PANDEMIC