International Teacher Education Conference 2014 1

International Teacher Education Conference 2014
Teacher Development Program For Saudi Interns at an International School
Jacqueline Phillips a*
a
Dr., King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
The Teacher Development Program (TDP) for Saudi interns at King Abdullah University of Science and
Technology (KAUST) is a highly selective, comprehensive training program for Saudis. Interns work with
Mentors at The KAUST School (TKS) in grades pre-school through 12. They take courses after-school and
abroad during the summer. They receive training in the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. They are
expected to go above and beyond as they do presentations for parents, write articles, and train local teachers.
They are evaluated frequently and monitored closely which results in immediate positive outcomes.
Expectations are high. This paper describes the program and its effectiveness.
Keywords.
INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE OF THE PAPER
Need for Teacher Development Program
In 2009, a new university opened that is the only university in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to mix men and
women. With the aim of rekindling science in the Islamic world, King Abdullah University of Science and
Technology (KAUST) focuses exclusively on graduate education and research. From its inception, KAUST
realized that educators and staff members involved in one of the finest universities in the world would require an
education of commensurate quality for their children. The provision of a world-class education for the children
of the community remains an ongoing priority for the university.
At KAUST, the children of graduate students and of employees attend The KAUST School (TKS), an
International Baccalaureate (IB) school. TKS is a full inclusion school with 1200 students from over 50 different
countries in grades Pk-12. English Language Learners (ELL) and students with special needs receive support in
general education classrooms. Approximately 40% of the students are ELL with the majority of them speaking
Arabic as a first language. This is the only school in Saudi Arabia to include boys and girls, Saudi and non-Saudi
students, ELL students and students with special needs all in the same classroom.
TKS has set a goal to have 10% of the teachers be Saudi. The workforce of Saudi Arabia is currently
dominated by expat workers from Southeast Asia and the West. However, Saudi national policy encourages
Saudization, the hiring of Saudi employees. Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia struggles with effective education and
teacher preparation (Wiseman, 2010). Due to a shortage of qualified Saudi teachers, the Teacher Development
Program (TDP) for Saudi interns was developed. The purpose of the TDP is to help recent Saudi graduates get a
start on education careers in Saudi. The TDP provides beginning Saudi teachers with the knowledge and skills
needed for effective teaching through a high quality pre-service teacher preparation program in an international
school. Successful interns may be offered positions at TKS or they may seek employment outside of KAUST.
Either way, Saudization occurs.
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a model for teacher education for Saudis in an international
school, in Saudi, that contributes to the advancement of best practice in teacher preparation. This is the only
program to train Saudi teachers in a fully inclusive IB international school for 2 years.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
COMPONENTS OF THE TDP
Components of the TDP include Mentor teachers, weekly graduate level courses, English instruction, IB
training, and International Teaching Certificate courses. Candidates for the TDP must have degrees in education
E-mail address: Jacque.phillips@gmail.com
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