Kyle Jimenez

Background

About Kyle Jimenez

During my previous position, I taught PYP, MYP and DP Visual Arts at an International Baccalaureate World School in Science Park, Hong Kong SAR. Additionally, I have worked in Durres, Albania at another IB World School and am highly experienced in working with international students. I facilitated the authorization of both of these institutions and was a member of the founding team of teachers. Through these positions I have gained experience in curriculum development from the ground up. Launching two schools has allowed my familiarization of the IB Programme Standards and Practices as well as other guides in relation to the IB Learner Profile, Approaches to Learning/Teaching, as well as core aspects of each programme such as Personal Project, Service as Action, CAS and TOK. Flexibility, teamwork and leadership were instrumental in the success of each of these programmes. Wellbeing, and pastoral care are incredibly important to me. I believe in strong integration with teaching non-cognitive skills alongside the formalized curriculum. A school must be a cultural hub of the community, and must reflect the excellence of the students to peers, parents, staff, and beyond. An incredible benefit of a holistic approach to education is attending their performances, recitals, plays, and sports competitions. This is not only an aspect of my career I personally enjoy, it helps establish a relationship with those students. It is important to demonstrate to students that someone truly cares about them and their endeavors. On a personal level, I know my own relationship with my art-making skills allows me to model a positive outlook for staff and students. I believe that each teacher should continually further their own relationship with their discipline consistently, as this allows for growth in curriculum and approaches to teaching. Throughout my past positions, I have painted alongside students when possible, and am often willing to stay behind to facilitate studio time as I stay in constant practice. Students should have confidence they are learning from a practiced educator in an open environment. My own philosophy of how to approach Visual Art has derived from my own experience in the arts classroom. I have grown to understand that a straight-forward approach to building skills as an early emphasis, gives students the ability to express their own creativity with confidence. As the late Chuck Close once said: “Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.”