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In this issue of the newsletter we'd like to introduce you to the new Program Manager, Mr Luke Zimmermann.
To start with, everybody will be interested to know where you are from?
I am originally from Holland but migrated to Australia in 1983 and became an Australian two years later. My father's mother was Swiss, so I am a quarter Swiss and I always think this is why I have chocolate cravings in the afternoon.
We noticed your family name is German, so is your family originally from Germany?
The name actually came from a Swiss soldier who fought with Napoleon and when they lost the battle of Waterloo, he went to Holland on his horse and married a Dutch woman.
Please tell us a bit about your background.
I completed a bachelor's and then a master's degree in Linguistics. In those days in Holland a master's was 4 years full time. In the middle of my master's, I moved to Australia and had to start working. As a result, my university studies took almost 10 years to complete. I wanted to do research into Aboriginal Languages in Australia but couldn't find any work and ended up teaching English. To my surprise I really enjoyed it. I did a TESOL certificate course and a course in Teacher Training and Course Leadership.
Where have you taught and what kinds of students?
I started in Osaka, Japan for a year but found it quite stressful so returned to Australia and worked there in different colleges for the next 15 years. I also taught immigrants and refugees English and Literacy and managed these programs for a few years.
The kind of students.....I have taught students from 11 to 75 years old from all over the world but the majority were from Asia.
How long have you been in the UAE and where did you work?
Since January 2001 and I worked for the higher Colleges of Technology all that time - first at Ras Al Khaimah Women's college, then Fujairah Men's and the last year and a half at the Women's college in Fujairah.
And did you teach English all that time?
Yes, starting with pre-foundation beginners to academic reading and writing and a lot of IELTS preparation. But I also taught some other subjects including Professional Communications and a course in Nutrition.
Why did you decide to apply for the position of Program Manager for Teaching and Learning at the Al Qasimi Foundation?
When I read the job description, I felt that this was perfect for me. It brings together all my qualifications and experience including things like teacher training, public speaking and writing. I was also very impressed by the foundation's goals to help improve the education in the emirate. I am really very passionate about education because education changes people's lives. It gives them choices they would never have without it.
So what are you bringing to the Foundation?
About three decades of experience in education. I have seen a lot of changes in the methodology and of course the introduction of technology and think being a teacher is now more challenging than it has ever been in history. Students are so used to colourful and exciting input on their mobiles, TV, video games and internet, that it is more challenging for teachers to keep them interested in the classroom. In that challenge of course is the excitement of change and we have to be FAT - which stands for Flexible, Adaptable and Tolerant.
Do you have a vision for what you want to achieve?
First of all, I want to continue the great work the Foundation has been doing in providing the Professional Development courses that the teachers request, and help with the many other programs and events they organise. However, I hope to push for my vision to come true and that is that every classroom in the Ras Al Khaimah area is an exciting place to be, where students want to come to learn. A place where the teachers are interesting, enthusiastic and full of surprises. As a result, students will be engaged in the learning process and become more and more independent.
Is that achievable?
Well, a lot of this is happening already. I have talked to a lot of teachers who shared their experiences with me. They use technology and new student-centered methodology and see how their students become more involved.
Any plans for the future?
Of course. I would like to develop a bank of video clips on the Teachers' Network that will help teachers and students in all subjects and all grades especially with tough topics. Students will be able to access these clips at home and revise lessons. We will start with cycle 3 first. I imagine having a large depository of short videos accessible to every teacher and student in Ras Al Khaimah. The clips would be made by the teachers. I am going to run a workshop to explain how to make these videos. It is the simplest technology, basically like a recorder on a computer.
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