Welcome Liz & Ben Harder
We're happy to announce that we have two new additions to the RC community! Ben Harder and Liz Harder will be teaching at Robert College this school year.
Originally from Maine in the United States, the married couple is experiencing their first international education journey, which they find exciting. Liz Harder teaches Prep Literature and Prep Wellness, while Ben Harder teaches Prep Language. He is also the coach of the table tennis team, and that's how I met this great family.
Both Ben and Liz love kids, and they have two adorable children also living on the campus. Liz knew that she had always wanted to work with kids, even when she was younger. So, to follow her dream, she took some time off after graduating high school and traveled around with kids from different countries who were living in difficult circumstances. She worked at several jobs like coaching tennis, teaching skiing, working at a preschool and at the end of this journey, she was sure that being a teacher would be a great way to get to work with kids. Ben also worked at a kids camp when he was in high school. His councilor highlighted how he engaged with children, and he realized that he enjoyed it so much, which led him to be a teacher.
When I asked how they met, Mr. Harder said, "Everyone knows love is full of coincidences," and this couple also had several of them. Both of them went to the same extended teaching program, but at different times so that is not how they met. Apparently, Liz's closest friend was dating Ben's brother at the time, and as a result, they got to spend time with each other. As she jokingly mentioned, "Now one of my closest friends is also my sister-in-law."
As a couple, they both wanted to experience what education and life in general was like outside of the United States. This is their first international teaching position for both of them. At the time, they didn't know much about Turkiye, but when they met our school administrators, Nilhan Çetinyamaç and Maura Kelly, at a job fair, they felt "warm and welcomed." With everything that our administrators told them about the school and the country, they were drawn toward it.
Ben also mentioned that he spent parts of his early childhood in the Philippines, Kenya and Thailand, so he always valued cross-cultural experiences. He read "The Alchemist," and the book reminded him of the importance of following one's dreams. So, they saw coming to Istanbul as part of that personal journey.
Adapting to a new country is never easy, and with Liz's words, the hardest part was trying to understand the language, as it's very different from English and the other languages she's familiar with. However, she has enjoyed learning basic Turkish and finds it fun. Both of them mentioned the warmth of Turks' love for their children. Ben also added that he's eager to explore different regions, from the eastern cities to the Black Sea and the Aegean Coast.
Their first impression of Robert College was extremely positive. They adored the campus at first sight, its historic buildings, the view over the Bosphorus, and the unique mix of tradition and modernity. Both teachers were amazed by the fact of how the school is student centered.
Even though the Harders are a married couple, their teaching styles are not the same. While Liz mentions that she likes to include movement in her lessons, encouraging students to get up, Ben directs his class with humour and rigor. He also described himself as a teacher with high standards.
Overall, Liz and Ben Harder are passionate, student-centered, and active teachers who bring enthusiasm to their classrooms. They're looking forward to exploring Türkiye, and we are looking forward to getting to know them.
