Askhat Zhumabekov

Physics teacher Askhat Zhumabekov, from Nazarbayev Intellectual school of Physics and Mathematics, Semey, Kazakhstan, is a progressive educator who advocates a global viewpoint and differentiated learning techniques for each of his students, so that truly tailored solutions can be provided for their learning journey, and to stay at the top of his game he keeps a keen eye on the latest emerging strategies, theory and practice, particularly from countries like Singapore and Finland, which have impeccable and world-leading education records. He believes modern schools need people who are adaptable and responsive to the rapid change of new technologies being actively introduced into our lives, able to work well in a collaborative environment and adapt the curriculum to individual student needs. 

During summer break he takes part in summer schools dedicated to new approaches and the use of effective learning tools, such as the 2018 summer school organized by the European Educational Research Association (EERA) at Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. In 2016, to boost his knowledge in these areas he applied for the Bolashak International Scholarship of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, winning a scientific internship to study in Finland, where the Education Index is one of the highest in the world.  

This is integral to how he models himself as a teacher constantly thinking about the future and progress of their students, seeking all new opportunities and interesting ways to present material that helps every student to develop, and train future leaders of global society. With a strong focus on digital education, research and lab work with his students, and by creating a pedagogical community for fellow physics teachers in his school company branches, he has been able to develop effective templates to plan lessons, develop language practice and flipped classroom activity that boosts student understanding and results, at the same time as helping the professional development of his teaching colleagues. This has paid off handsomely as his students are excelling in international Cambridge exams, at Olympiads and science project contests in Kazakhstan, Russia and South Korea. At his school the fruits of his work have included a 13% subject knowledge increase in 2019 and 87% of graduates getting grades A*, A or B. Last year 100% of his 21 students who chose physics went on to higher education scholarships in the USA, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and Russia, and Askhat himself has won a string of awards for his successes, including Kazakhstan’s Best Teacher 2018, awarded by the Ministry of Education and Science. 

After classes Askhat teaches physics courses to prepare students for SAT Physics, NUFYPET and Cambridge International Advisory Council international exams, and he has involved his students in his international project for the development of inclusive education in Kazakhstan, working with colleagues from Finland and Russia since 2016. He has also been coordinator for UNESCO Associated Schools in the Republic of Kazakhstan since 2017 to help development of global citizenship, expanding the opportunity for students to participate in social activity and civic responsibility and running round tables and conferences, on topics including nuclear safety which have received international acclaim.