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Elementary School Principal |
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A Few Words from the Elementary Principal
Kathy Morabet, Elementary School Principal
The RAS Elementary School is a stimulating, cheerful, and safe environment where children can learn and grow. Our program nurtures and encourages students' academic, social, and emotional development through the wide variety of learning experiences offered. The 170-strong elementary student body, many of whose members will be leaders in tomorrow's world, come from nearly 40 countries and from the diplomatic, international business, local, and other communities. English is the language of instruction and the language usually spoken among students.
The American-style curriculum includes language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, music, art, computer studies, and library studies. The program is further enriched to include Moroccan studies, and daily lessons in a world language (French or Arabic) starting at grade 1 for most students. Our specialist resource team uses a variety of strategies to help provide each student with the learning program best suited to meet his or her needs.
RAS elementary teachers are native English speakers, credentialed, and experienced in North American and international education. Their programs are designed to teach students to :
* learn and appreciate learning
* participate actively as citizens of their local and global communities
* respect themselves, others, and the rich diversity that characterizes our school and our world
* think critically and creatively, and take intellectual risks
* read and listen for understanding, and write and speak expressively and skillfully
* master the facts, concepts, and skills that lead to knowledge and competence.
Our RAS motto is "Learning in a World Community" and our elementary school is here to make it happen!
Some information about Mrs. Morabet
I have been a happy educator all my life, starting with ballet lessons for little girls when I was in high school, and Project Head Start work with Spanish-speaking families in California when I was in college. World languages and travel have been another passion for me, fueled by a year at the University of Madrid in 1965-66. When I met my husband at the University of California, Berkeley, and in 1968 came to Morocco to live, I found this a perfect place for enjoying both teaching and languages. I was lucky to find a wonderful job and spent seven years teaching English in Moroccan high schools in Rabat, Fes, and Sale.
During those years our children, Tarik and Zineb, were born. Their names can be seen on the RAS Wall of Graduates, and they have now completed their university education and joined the work force. Even better, we have a grandchild!
I joined RAS in 1975, teaching French to students in kindergarten through grade 12 for three years. I moved into a second grade classroom and spent the next 14 years teaching a variety of elementary grades. I helped create an RAS Middle School in 1992 and served both as teacher and Middle School Coordinator. In 1995 I became principal of the Elementary School—an exciting challenge which I have come to relish.
I have tried to be a lifelong learner. Spending many summers at home in California has allowed me to renew my ties with my family and the United States and help my children get to know the other half of their heritage—as well as complete a teaching credential, a Master’s degree in education, and an Educational Administration certificate. In recent years I have been able to explore new fields, and I sang with pride as a member of the chorus in Morocco’s first two opera productions, La Traviata and Cavalleria Rusticana.
Being an educator in the US, Morocco and at RAS has been challenging, fulfilling, exciting and supremely satisfying. I feel privileged to have had such an opportunity!
Kathy Morabet
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