It is the end of the school year which means that we will soon have to say goodbye to a few of our favorite teachers. This year, 17 middle school teachers are leaving and over the next 15 school days, The Direct Message will post an ‘Exit Interview’ that we conducted with each of these educators.
Check out all the Exit Interviews by clicking here: Exit Interviews
Ms. Alexa Schmid
Years at AES: 8 years: 2009-2017
Next Stop: International School Kenya, Nairobi
Course Taught: Assistant Principal
What will you miss most about AES? I will miss the people – we have an amazing community at AES. I appreciate our community’s respect, open-mindedness, diversity, inclusion and desire for ongoing lifelong learning. We have amazing teachers who are student-centered and always trying to improve their work with students.
What is the best part about being a teacher at AES? I have amazing colleagues who are always interested in learning and growing together. It is an inspiring place to work and learn.
What are your plans for next year and what are your thoughts about this next step? I will be the Middle School Principal at the International School of Kenya in Nairobi. I am excited to move to Africa; I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia years ago and fell in love with the continent. I am looking forward to joining the school and learning in a new role, and also the neat opportunities for safaris and new adventures.
How do you hope your students and colleagues will remember you? I hope that I am remembered as kind and fair. I also hope that people think I was thoughtful about always working hard to make the middle school a great place for students.
What message would you like to leave for the community at AES? I want to say thank you to everyone in our amazing community for contributing to my experiences and growth over the last 8 years. Set in Incredible India, AES is a magical place, and I am so grateful I have had the opportunity to learn and grow here for so many years!
What the students had to say.
Jaden Cilliers, Grade 8
What will you remember about Mrs. Schmid? That she always seems to be in a hurry, but she still finds the times to deal with us students and the stupid stuff we always find ourselves in.
What makes Mrs. Schmid unique? I think that she enjoys her job and that rubs off on the other teachers and us. She always seems to be smiling so that takes up the mood of the whole situation.
What is a funny or memorable story you have about Mr. Schmid? In wow this year Ms.Schmid was on my raft, she was sitting down in front of me, then we started playing a game where you had to stand up and walk around on the edge of the boat, and if you slipped you got pushed in. Naturally, Ms.Schmid’s turn came and she made it about halfway before a student saw her trip. Almost immediately a student pushed her in, and when she came back up she said: “I feel like that was payback for anyone who ever got in trouble in middle school.”
Jagan Kalsi, Grade 8
What will you remember about Ms.Schmid?
Anytime I was in trouble, she would not make it a bigger deal than it was.
What makes Mrs. Schmid unique?
She always shows kindness. When I got in trouble at the beginning of the year, and I felt really bad. Ms. Schmid was professional and she helped avoid the situation becoming much worse for me.
Yuval Yacobi, Grade 8
What will you remember about Mrs. Schmid? She always talking in assembly about managing your stuff.
What makes Mrs. Schmid unique? Even though she has to deal with all the trouble-makers, she is still really kind towards the students.
What is a funny or memorable story you have about Mr. Schmid? I remember when I tried to advertise that I wanted to get hired for a magic show, she helped me. She helped me make a flyer and when I she asked how much I wanted to charge, she told me my rate was too low! Then she even hired me.