The Pillars

Giving Back to Future Educators: Tiffany K. Whitfield
The Tiffany K. Whitfield Scholarship for Education Students (undergraduate) will be awarded beginning in the Fall of 2019 through
the University of South Alabama. The endowment will cover books and supplies for deserving Juniors or Seniors in USA’s College
of Education and Professional Studies. “The rising costs of books and supplies have gone up tremendously,” Whitfield said. “I want to
make it easier for deserving students and make sure they don’t have to worry about it as I did.”
Whitfield is very grateful and said that South helped her in so many ways. “I grew up here. I had amazing professors who challenged
me and encouraged me. Those same instructors gave me recommendations for teaching overseas. It’s only right to give back to
those who really helped me.”
After earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees from USA’s College of Education and Professional Studies, Whitefield
wanted to teach in Dubai, even though the thought of studying abroad never crossed her mind. However, at that time, she needed
three years of teaching experience to qualify. Not to be discouraged, she adhered to the advice from her parents, stayed
home in Mobile and worked for two years at Allentown Elementary School as a Special Education Instructor. “USA really
prepared me for the challenges of being a teacher. I really enjoy teaching and as I was completing my second year
here, I found that Kuwait only required two years of teaching experience,” she said. “So, I took a leap of faith, followed my heart and
applied to teach in one of the richest countries in the Middle East.”
Whitfield is a first-grade educator with 25 energetic, six-year old boys in her class. She has a teaching assistant and they focus on an
American based curriculum of math and language arts. “Teaching is my passion and I love my boys,” she said. “My kids have become
part of my life. It’s interesting because I’m
teaching them how to speak English fluently
and they’re teaching me how to speak
Arabic. Some of them bring me flowers.
Their parents send me gifts. It’s never a dull
moment with my boys. I love each of them.”
Offering some of the best incentives for
international teachers, Kuwait is an ideal
destination for those interested in teaching
while being immersed in Arab culture.
“For those interested in the experience,
you have to be flexible, openminded
and have a good
“Education
is the most powerful
weapon which you can use
to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela –
understanding of Arabic
culture and customs.
It’s an exciting place
to live and work as
long as you don’t
mind year-long
sunshine,” she said.