KYRGYZSTAN:

Creative’s Terry Giles Wins “Best Educator of the Kyrgyz Republic” Award

December 9, 2008

Terry Giles, Creative Associates’ Chief of Party for the Quality Learning Project, was named “Best Educator of the Kyrgyz Republic,” by the Kyrgyz Minister of Education and Science.

The award is all the more remarkable because Kyrgyzstan traditionally confers this honor only on native teachers and Giles is neither Kyrgyz nor a practicing teacher.

“I was surprised because it’s an award that is essentially for those who work in schools or higher education, and as far as we understand this specific award has not been given to foreigners before,” Giles said. “I am honored of course, and I think it’s also recognition that international projects have an important role to play in improving Kyrgyzstan’s education system.”

In fact, the award was the culmination of an eventful week this fall when the Quality Learning Project (QLP) was formally launched. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding took place among the Kyrgyz Minister of Education and Science, Ms. Ishenkul Boldjurova, and Ms. Pat Shapiro, USAID Country Representative, effectively giving the program a green light to continue the process of education reform in that country.

With support from the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Creative Associates-implemented QLP is designed to assist the Kyrgyz government’s efforts to develop and implement their national education strategies. QLP will also assist the government in training quality teachers to improve learner-centered methods in classrooms as well as support the reform of education financing.

“As for the award Terry received, I can say that it is one of the awards every teacher would like to receive. There are teachers, who work their whole career, but do not receive such an award. This award does not bring an extra paycheck, but it is recognition among the education community for the hard work that goes into educating the young generation,” said Keneshbek B. Sainazarov, QLP’s Country Director in Kyrgyzstan. “I can say Terry is the right person to receive this award. He has been working in Kyrgyzstan since 1996 bringing the value of inclusive education and later education policy development.”

A 17-year veteran of development initiatives, Giles also has experience in the United Kingdom in education, working with youth, management and architecture. His career experience also includes working on projects in Africa and more than ten years spent throughout Asia. He led education programs as well as agricultural engineering projects in: Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

— Alexandra Pratt