Öğretmenler Günü Röportajları - Mr. Dobie

How did you decide to come to Turkey?

Two years before I went to Damascus in Syria and I came to Turkey on the way. So, I came to Istanbul, and that was very important too because when I was back to university in Damascus I decided to study Turkish. That is why I decided to come back to Turkey because I really loved Turkey when I was here for one week.

How did you choose to teach? What were your initial aims regarding becoming a teacher?

I wanted to help people to speak English even though I have a Scottish accent. Also, I had some really boring language teachers especially when I was at university. So I thought I could be more interesting or funnier than those teachers because I believe that interesting, funny teachers can trick students into learning.

Well, I think you’re such a funny teacher. Did your future shape as you wished?

Absolutely not. When I was at school I didn’t like almost all of my teachers. I used to write graphite everywhere where all teachers were cops. But now I am a teacher and I really love teaching.

What do you like most about UAA, and what makes it special?

Probably the students. Definitely the students. It's a lovely place and it's a very well organized school but also the students are really clever, they are really funny, smart and nice. They are really nice to each other. There are other schools in Istanbul where there's a lot of bullying. We don’t have that problem, it is a great place to work.

Can you tell us one of your most remarkable memories in Üsküdar?

Yes, I can. So in my classes, I made my students work in groups when I used to teach the language course. Two years after, one of my students said, “Mr. Dobie I really miss your lessons.” And I said, “Thanks very much”. She said, “We learned so much about everything (like history, culture, etc.) at your classes.” And I said, "That’s what we, the teachers, wanted you to do”. And then she said, the most important thing: “But we also learned about each other.” And this is the best thing that could happen. This is my favorite memory in Üsküdar American.

And the last question, which one do you think is more difficult: being a student or a teacher?

Being a student. Totally being a student. Because you have to listen all the time, you have to understand, you have to take notes, you have to study then you have exams. Terrifying. I'm so glad I'm not a student.

Thanks to Mr. Dobie for his answers and happy teachers day to all of our wonderful teachers!