Hello! My name is Aaron D'Albey.  I am originally from Arvada, Colorado. Currently I am a 5th grade teacher at American International School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  Previously I was a  teacher in South Korea from 2009 to 2017.  I have my Master's degree in Teaching and Learning from Colorado State University-Global Campus, and am a certified teacher for the state of Florida.  I have a background as a retail architectural project manager, which was my previous career before moving overseas to pursue new opportunities.

I am a fan of practical, inquiry-based learning. As a 4th grade teacher at AISJ in 2017-18 I integrated PYP concepts and methodology in the form of "The Island Project" which has afforded me the opportunity to create engaging lessons in every subject centered on a theme wherein my students are stranded on their own island located in the Indian Ocean. This curriculum integrated standards-based learning (Lucy Calkins, Pearson and NY Engage, etc.) with inquiry-based lessons that created relevance for the students and inspired and engaged them at a level that ordinary educational practices could not offer. Literally everything the students did revolved around their island. At the end of the school year the students presented their islands for their peers and faculty in a very well received and positive educational showcase of their skills and learning.

As a 5th grade teacher and the science lead for my grade level I am continuing to promote inquiry-based learning at every opportunity by integrating crosscutting concepts into every lesson. During COVID-19 I have been hard at work adapting our lessons for online use, which has pushed me to create lessons that are not only steeped in theory but push the students to utilize technology to participate in as close to authentic learning experiences as possible. 

When I am not teaching I am hard at work as a visual artist and photographer.  If you have time please feel free to explore aarondalbey.com as well!