Academics – Page 2 – American School of Kosova

About

Learning

Admission

School Life

Life on Campus

Summer School

Position: Academics

Yllza Pista

By

Yllza Pista has been an Albanian Language Teacher at the American School of Kosova, since 2014. Previously, Ms. Pista served as a lecturer of Albanian Language at ‘Xhelal Hajda – Toni’ High School, as well as in the Education Center, in Rahovec. Yllza graduated from the University of Prishtina in Philological Faculty for Albanian Literature, also she has a Master’s degree in Albanian Language and Literature. In addition, she has published some research articles and her first compilation of poems “Ditto”.

Yllza’s passions consist of reading, writing and art as a general concept. She deals with literary writings, writes poetry and poetic prose which she plans to publish soon. Her first work “Ditto” is a collection of poems on love, life and the feeling of deep spiritual knowledge. During her free time she uses her time working on her passions, such as writing, painting and recently she has found another passion, pottery. Her passion for the beauty of arts that impacts the life of so many others is represented by Yllza through different influential ideas, which she conveys to her students.

Gjeneza M. Doli

By

Gjeneza M. Doli has been with ASK for 3 years. She teaches Middle School Social Studies. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a Master’s Degree in Advanced International and European Studies in France.  She developed the understanding that what is most important in education is knowing and valuing each and every student. She is passionate about making children’s education a positive experience
and is so grateful to have a place such as ASK that helps make that possible. Her favorite learning quote is, “If you don’t like something, change it! If you can’t change it, change your attitude!”

Valmira Qoku Behluli

By

Valmira Qoku Behluli, has been part of ASK for six years now. She has always been our Teacher Assistant in Preschool which she enjoys so much. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Faculty of Education in the Primary Program. She has also attended several Preschool training programs such as Kosovo Learning Summit etc. Her favorite quote about education is, “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” (Confucius).

Teuta Xharra

By

Teuta Xharra has been with ASK for 15 years and teaches Fine Arts to Elementary and Middle School. She was born in Gjakova and took an interest on art at an early age. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and a Master’s degree in Advertising Graphics. She enjoys music and dancing, and she hopes that she will get the chance to share her knowledge with her students. Her favorite learning quote is, “Never stop learning, because
life never stops teaching.”

Mariklena Niço

By

Mariklena Niço was born in Korça, Albania. She began her teaching career in 2001. Since then, she has taught Albanian Language and Literature in various high schools in Korça: F.S. Noli High School, Faik Konica-Foreign Language High School, Raqi Qirinxhi High School.
Mariklena has been an Albanian Language and Literature teacher at the American School of Kosova, since 2016. Ms. Niço holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature from the University of Tirana. In addition, she received training and certification in literature, from the Ministry of Education Science and Technology.
Mariklena strongly believes on what Aristotle wrote, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” She chooses her strategies of teaching based on this Einstein quote, “Education is not the learning of facts but the training of the mind to think.” Mariklena published her first collection of poetry “Pylli i muzave”, in 2007 (by Ombra GVG). She has been publishing in various literary magazines, such as Haemus, Poeteka.

Ujkane Hana Beshiri

By

A quality assurance specialist and an accomplished educational leader with 20 years experience in teaching, designing and implementing international curricula. Ms. Ujkane joined ASK in 2016 as an Elementary Teacher, and has been part of the Academic Leadership Team 2017-2019 representing Upper Elementary School. Since 2019 she has been leading the MAP Committee in the role of MAP Coordinator.
She has a MA degree in Educational Leadership and Management from AFA [Academy of Fine Arts] in Kosovo. Currently, she is in the process finishing her specializing course on The Certificate in School Management and Leadership [CSML], at online Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School. She is also Teacher Trainers certified by the University of Arizona.
Driven by the quote, “One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.” by Malala Yousafzai, Ujkana believes children are a gift and possess diverse talents and capabilities. She considers it a privilege to help facilitate their learning and academic growth that empowers teachers and students to think creatively and critically about the power of education for positive change.

Fexhrije Sela

By

Ms. Fexhrije Sela’s journey in education began over 30 years ago in the United States. After completing her studies in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Psychology at Kingsborough Community College & Brooklyn College, she embarked on her professional career. She started at Chick Peas Preschool School in Brooklyn, New York, and later taught at the YMCA Early Childhood Center. Throughout her career, she participated in specialized training programs at The University of the State of New York, focusing on areas such as “School Violence Prevention and Intervention” and “Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment.” Following her tenure at various Brooklyn public schools, Ms. Sela returned to her hometown, Pristina, where she joined the American School of Kosovo (ASK) family in 2009. She initially served as a Kindergarten Teacher before being promoted to Early Childhood Education Principal in September 2022. Ms. Sela’s passion lies in laying the foundation of education in the early years, believing it serves individuals throughout their lives.

Her favorite learning quote is, “All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten.”

Fjolla Kadiu

By

Fjolla Kadiu joined ASK in October, 2020.
She teaches Music through all levels, starting from 3rd graders.
She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Pedagogy of General Music.
Her passion is reading and painting.
She has been in lots of training in the past 10 years and has various certificates including, “Child and adolescent mental health and behavioral disorders”, “Kosovo Curriculum” etc.
Her favorite learning quote is, “Anyone who stops learning is old. Whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning is young.”

Esma Salihu

By

Esma Salihu joined the American School of Kosova as a Chemistry and General Science teacher in 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from the Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Prishtina. She is currently in the process of being licensed as a Clinical Chemistry Technologist. She is passionate about herbs and about ways of using them in formulating different soap recipes. Her favorite learning quote is, “Learning is experience. Everything else is just information.”

Sihana Salihu Bektashi

By

Sihana Salihu Bektashi has been a High School English/ESL Teacher at the American School of Kosova, since March 2018. Prior to joining ASK, she worked as an English Teacher at different English Language Schools, such as the English Language Center and The Cambridge School. She also served as an English/Albanian interpreter for various missions in Kosovo, the EULEX Mission in Kosovo, OSCE, and USAID. She feels comfortable working in both fields but she says that what challenges her more is working with students because of the dynamics in the teaching area and the fulfillment a teacher reaches after each accomplishment. She has attended various trainings for teachers held by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Kosovo, and she has also attended a year of language studies at the American University in Bulgaria. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature and is currently pursuing her Master’s studies in Linguistics at AAB University.