When most people think of canaries they think of little birds that sit in a cage. To Kevin and Genia Allen-Schmid, along with their children Katy and Caleb, the Canaries will be home for the next year. In July, the Allen-Schmids will leave for Gran Canaira, the third-largest island in the Canary Islands, to teach at The American School of Las Palamas. While there, Kevin Allen-Schmid will teach general music and Genia will teach history, social studies, and Model United Nations. “I look forward to the stimulation of an exotic culture,” said Genia Allen-Schmid. “Renewing old friendships and introducing out kids to foreign places will be a blast.” The Allen-Schmids first learned about The American School in February at a recruiting fair in Washington, D.C. The American School is a private international school owned by parents, designed to give students both a Spanish and American education. Students graduate with a diploma for both countries. To achieve a dual education, the school recruits teachers from both Spanish-and English-speaking countries. The teachers teach in their native languages and the students adjust. “Most of the students have traveled all over and speak two to three languages,” said Genia. “We hope our own children become fluent in another language.” The American School only has general music for first to eighth graders. Kevin Allen-Schmid will take over the curriculum and is looking at the possibility of expanding it to include the high school as well. The school has no choral, band or orchestra program. If students wish to study music they go to a conservatory and take lessons. “I will be teaching vocal and general music from grade 4-12,” said Kevin Allen-Schmid. Genia Allen-Schmid’s Model U.N. will be an after-school club that meets and draws up legislation dealing with current U.N. issues. Once a year, Model U.N. travels to The Hague in The Netherlands and meets with other Model U.N. clubs. While at the conference the students participate in similar events to those at their school. “I am interested in getting a Model U.N. here,” said Genia “I’ve done it before and would like to get caught up.” The Allen-Schmids are known for teaching world-oriented classes. Kevin teaches a world music class at FHS and focuses on world music in his choirs. Genia teaches Global Village. While they are in the Canary Islands, their oldest daughter, Katy, will exchange e-mail with her classmates at Peterson Elementary in Kalispell. The Allen-Schmids are looking forward to bringing new and exciting ideas to FHS. “I can’t imagine staying in Kalispell for the rest of my life,” said Genia Allen-Schmid. “When you travel you learn what we take for granted in the U.S” |
