Meghan Ennis - 老澳门六合彩官网 Librarian 

Originally from New York, Meghan Ennis joined the 老澳门六合彩官网 family 11 years ago. Before coming to Egypt, Meghan was in South Korea for 4 years where she worked as an ELL teacher. With a passion for education and exploration, Meghan continued to look for opportunities for teaching overseas. When she first came to Egypt, little did she know that she would be meeting her future husband, having 2 beautiful children and staying in Cairo for as long as 11 years. 

She first joined the school as an ELL teacher in the Elementary school for 2 years and then to the Middle School for the next 7 years. During this time, she worked hard on finishing her Library Degree. She was successful in finishing it just in time to apply for the Librarian position. 

Meghan met her British husband who also currently works at 老澳门六合彩官网, Mark, in Egypt. Mark was working at another international school in Cairo before joining 老澳门六合彩官网. Today, they have two children together; the older one already joined the 老澳门六合彩官网 community while the younger one is set to join next year. Their children were both born in Egypt and have lived here their whole lives.

When asked how long she plans to stay in Egypt, Meghan responded that whenever she leaves Egypt, it will be incredibly hard.  Egypt is now her home and her small children, who were born here, even consider themselves Egyptian.   

鈥淟ooking back at what it was like, when I first came to Egypt, so much has changed,鈥� added Meghan. During her first years in Egypt, the country was undergoing very unusual political changes, during the 2011 Revolution. It was a time of uncertainty for everyone, but even then, Meghan always felt safe in the country. 鈥淭he longer I have been here, the safer it felt,鈥� she added. 

Having been here for a long time, Meghan got to see a lot of faculty and staff come and go. 鈥淚 have actually been here long enough, to have seen some people leave, and eventually come back again. I think that 老澳门六合彩官网 is a very special place to be. It鈥檚 such a strong community that the people who come tend not to stray from it too far,鈥� she emphasized. 

Like many of the 老澳门六合彩官网 expat community, Meghan describes Egypt as a country that is easy to love, and the school is happy to be a home for these families where they can grow, learn and explore together, all while making lifetime friendships and memories. 

Richard Harris, is our new Middle School PE teacher who just joined us this year. He arrived in Egypt shortly before the start of the new school year, and immediately felt that this was the right choice. Harris鈥檚 athletic life began with his love for soccer and football, and a lifelong passion for watching every other sport possible. He has travelled the world pursuing a career in his passion for sports. Rich has spent three years in Doha, five years in London, and another three years in Saudi Arabia. After 11 fruitful years, he went back to the states with his wife. That was when the lure of overseas life beckoned and they started looking to explore other overseas opportunities. Soon enough, Rich and his wife were both very excited to find themselves heading to Egypt and becoming part of the 老澳门六合彩官网 community.

The PE teacher explained that he first heard about the vacancy through online search platforms. When he saw our school name, he remembered hearing a lot of good remarks about the school, back when he was in Doha. Some of the current faculty members were also friends of Harris鈥檚 who he got in touch with for recommendations. Once again, 老澳门六合彩官网 was highly recommended for its wonderful community. 

鈥淏efore coming here, my wife and I were looking for a nice place overseas where we could stay for around 5 years. On the first day we arrived here, we knew we made the right decision,鈥� said Rich. 

He further added how welcomed he felt by the staff and faculty members who have been friendly and supportive, the parents who are receptive and welcoming, as well as the students who come from so many different places and backgrounds, and have so much to share with each other.  

When we asked him about what he likes to do in his time outside of school, he said, 鈥� I love the fact that there is so much to see, so much history, so much to do - I love playing golf and I was surprised to learn that I have several great options here to do that.鈥� 

Harris is originally from Oklahoma, United States, but has been an international educator moving around the world for a long time. One of the first sites he visited when he first came here was, of course, the Great Pyramids of Giza. He was fascinated by this place, which is one of the 7 wonders of the world. 鈥淟ooking out from my apartment, I can sometimes see the Pyramids which is just incredible!鈥� he added. 

One of his best memories in the school so far was on his very first day of school. The first day of school happened to also be his birthday. He was very touched and heartened when all the middle-schoolers gathered in the lawn to sing Happy Birthday to him. 

The family of two still have a great deal of exploring to do around the country. 鈥淲e cannot wait to start exploring the Red Sea, perhaps soon in the winter break!鈥� noted Harris. At 老澳门六合彩官网, we are always looking to hear back from our faculty and staff to learn more about how best to integrate them into our family, as we are after all, one family. 

Penny Amies- Assistant ES Principal and PYP Coordinator 

In light of moving the spotlight towards our dedicated faculty members, we interviewed our Assistant Vice Principal and PYP coordinator, Penny Amies. What is most interesting about Penny鈥檚 story is that she was with 老澳门六合彩官网 for 6 years, then left for a couple of years, then decided to re-join the 老澳门六合彩官网 family again . 

Penny first joined 老澳门六合彩官网 in 2013, where she spent six fruitful years of growth and development. Like most international educators, Penny is always on the lookout for new enriching experiences. For that purpose, she left in 2019 to pursue another opportunity in Jakarta, Indonesia. Two years later, Penny who was still in contact with her friends from 老澳门六合彩官网 was asked if she would be interested in coming back for a recent vacancy that had just opened up. 

Penny was more than happy about the prospect of going back to the school and country she had such great memories in. She applied for that vacancy and was able to re-join her old family at 老澳门六合彩官网. 

鈥淓gypt, it鈥檚 got everything. All the historical places are right there for you to visit. The people are so warm and easy to get along with. Especially as a foreigner, I have never really had too much trouble finding my way around the city, because everyone is always eager to help,鈥� Penny added. 

We asked her what, in her opinion, is the most important aspect about being a member of the 老澳门六合彩官网 family, and her response was, 鈥� The community. The school has this lovely culture of embracing people. I love being a part of this diverse community who are there for each other. Every place I鈥檝e been to is different, but what makes 老澳门六合彩官网 so special is that strong sense of supportive community.鈥� Penny added that even though she came here on her own, she is still very grateful for being a part of a diverse and embracing family. 

She first heard about the school when she was working abroad, with our current Elementary School Principal who told her about the vacancy in Egypt. 鈥淭he school had a really good reputation among us, because it really is that. It鈥檚 a great school,鈥� she noted. Another very important factor that has a big impact on her decision is safety. Penny explained to us that she loves how safe Egypt is. Our teachers are always housed in the area of Maadi. This is a beautiful area full of history, greenery, trees and lots of warm people. Most of our faculty and staff are easily able to walk to work every day. 

When asked about the language barriers she might have faced here, she had this to say; 鈥淣ot really, even though I can鈥檛 speak Arabic, I am fascinated by the language. I鈥檝e got friends and neighbours who are always more than happy to help translate. It has never been much of a barrier for me.鈥� 

鈥淥ne of the highlights of living in this neighbourhood is our Boab ( building janitor). Everyday he is happy to welcome me back home with his family, and we usually have a quick short English lesson, which feels really great!鈥� she adds. 

For resting and relaxation, Penny chooses to go to Aswan to decompress. She loves to spend a few days there every now and then to do some relaxation amid the sand and the Nile river. She has also tried the Nile cruise many times, especially when her family and friends are visiting. The Great Pyramids of Giza are one of many amazing sites that she loves to visit. It is always great to hear from our faculty and staff members to learn more about their lives, what they are looking for and how we can provide them with what they need to make their experience here easier and more enjoyable. 

Monte Davis, is an Elementary School classroom teacher at 老澳门六合彩官网. Mr. Davis has been with us for a remarkable 41 years, having received a 40-year plaque just last year. Originally from Chicago, Monte grew up in Ohio in the United States. This is where he goes back to when he feels like visiting home.  

One of Monte's greatest passions is teaching. We sat down with him to learn more about why he chose to stay in Egypt and in 老澳门六合彩官网 in specific for this long. 鈥淚 was in another international school here in Egypt for two years. I went back to the United States where I experienced reverse culture shock and immediately knew I longed to go back to Egypt,鈥� he explains. It was during this time that Monte heard about the teaching opportunity at 老澳门六合彩官网. Having spent two years in Egypt, Davis knew well the reputation that 老澳门六合彩官网 had since its inception, for having a diverse and caring community, and for being the best international school in the region. 

He went ahead and started the application process, and that was when his inspiring journey at the school began. It was here where Monte met his then future wife. 鈥淚 really enjoyed teaching here, and being a part of this wonderful community. We got married and stayed here as a family,鈥� he added. He now has 3 kids, all of whom graduated from this school. Monte also mentioned that his kids who are now living abroad, still want to go back to visit Egypt and their school until this day.  鈥淎s a family, we love and value the community and atmosphere here more than anything,鈥� he added. 

In addition to being a grade 3 classroom teacher, Monte also coaches Baseball after-school. Another very unique activity that he is known for is dressing up as Santa Clause during Christmas. 老澳门六合彩官网 has a long-standing tradition of having Santa Clause come in on a camel every year, and Monte has been a part of this tradition for around 15 years. Being so fascinated by the incredible Egyptian culture and history, the ES teacher has had his fair share of travelling locally. Some of his many favorite spots include Luxor and Aswan Nile Tours, some Red Sea areas, Gouna in Hurghada and of course, the Great Pyramids of Giza. One of his favorite Egyptian dishes is Shawarma sandwiches from the a very popular oriental restaurant, Semsema.         

鈥淗aving been here for over 40 years means that I taught some of my own students鈥� children which is really great,鈥� Monte added. He also elaborated that the faculty and staff that he gets to work with on a daily basis are so amazing and are a big reason for his decision to continue pursuing a career in teaching in Egypt for so many years.