Colleague Testimonials
“I have had the privilege of working with Ken Derby for the past four years on our 5th grade team. Ken is the type of colleague who empowers you to reach further and as a result, not only do you become a better educator, but a better person. He is someone who students, parents, colleagues, and administrators count on for experience and advice. Ken is a student-centered teacher that has great rapport with kids, and because of that, they love him! Together, Ken and I have read and discussed several progressive educational books, which have positively affected my teaching and my students’ directly! That is what I call professional development! In the same manner, Ken and I helped to pilot a one-to-one laptop program at our grade level, and we also worked together to become Google Qualified Educators. Ken has been a strong, positive mentor in my life and he clearly touches the hearts of the kids he teaches!”—Jason Greenway, 5th Grade Teacher, American International School of Budapest
“Ken Derby knows a thing or two about teaching; he knows, for instance, that children deserve respect as much as the adults. He knows that all students can learn and that they learn best when they feel valued by and connected to others. He knows how to build genuine rapport with each student using humor, sincerity, empathy, and the power of music. He is an eccentric, unconventional, creative, charismatic, daring, ethical, caring educator. To borrow a phrase from Twain, Ken Derby never lets schooling interfere with his or anybody else’s education. For eight years, I have been fortunate to work closely with Ken. He is a generous, trustworthy colleague and an expert problem-solver. He has been an educational technology mentor for me as well as a fount of professional knowledge and inspiration.”—Lisa Lebiecki, 4th Grade Teacher, American International School of Budapest
“I have worked closely with Ken Derby during the past six years in my role as team leader, head of English K-12, and as a transition facilitator for students moving from grade five to the middle school. Ken is one of the most exceptional educators I have had the privilege of working with in my twenty-five year international teaching career. His first priority is always the well being of his students, and the adage the ‘kids come first’ is evident in everything Ken does, how he teaches and how he works with parents, his faculty and most importantly his children. Ken’s experience as a celebrated author and his passion for literacy not only excites the students in his classroom, but encourages and supports the highest level of competence and creativity in his classroom. Ken’s students rise to the high expectations he has for them with confidence and Ken’s full support at all times. Ken has served with me on many different levels of committees and groups within the AISB school community, but most recently on a selected School Board group who worked to improve teacher supervision and evaluation. Ken’s experience and commitment to making a difference to the school community was and is evident in his dedication to this role and his daily involvement in all school activities. Ken is a man of integrity and this is evident in how Ken interacts as an educator and a colleague at all times. He is an invaluable faculty member who is respected and appreciated by all who have the privilege to work with him.”—Suzanne Herbert, 6th Grade Teacher, American International School of Budapest
“Ken Derby knows a thing or two about teaching; he knows, for instance, that children deserve respect as much as the adults. He knows that all students can learn and that they learn best when they feel valued by and connected to others. He knows how to build genuine rapport with each student using humor, sincerity, empathy, and the power of music. He is an eccentric, unconventional, creative, charismatic, daring, ethical, caring educator. To borrow a phrase from Twain, Ken Derby never lets schooling interfere with his or anybody else’s education. For eight years, I have been fortunate to work closely with Ken. He is a generous, trustworthy colleague and an expert problem-solver. He has been an educational technology mentor for me as well as a fount of professional knowledge and inspiration.”—Lisa Lebiecki, 4th Grade Teacher, American International School of Budapest
“I have worked closely with Ken Derby during the past six years in my role as team leader, head of English K-12, and as a transition facilitator for students moving from grade five to the middle school. Ken is one of the most exceptional educators I have had the privilege of working with in my twenty-five year international teaching career. His first priority is always the well being of his students, and the adage the ‘kids come first’ is evident in everything Ken does, how he teaches and how he works with parents, his faculty and most importantly his children. Ken’s experience as a celebrated author and his passion for literacy not only excites the students in his classroom, but encourages and supports the highest level of competence and creativity in his classroom. Ken’s students rise to the high expectations he has for them with confidence and Ken’s full support at all times. Ken has served with me on many different levels of committees and groups within the AISB school community, but most recently on a selected School Board group who worked to improve teacher supervision and evaluation. Ken’s experience and commitment to making a difference to the school community was and is evident in his dedication to this role and his daily involvement in all school activities. Ken is a man of integrity and this is evident in how Ken interacts as an educator and a colleague at all times. He is an invaluable faculty member who is respected and appreciated by all who have the privilege to work with him.”—Suzanne Herbert, 6th Grade Teacher, American International School of Budapest