As the founding principal, it is my esteemed pleasure and honor to welcome you to AAIA’s caring learning community. AAIA firmly believes and practices the idea that the best teachers inspire students to discover the teacher within in order to maximize higher-order learning across all disciplines. Evidence of our pedagogical philosophy is found within our daily instruction, curriculum maps, and cocurricular program where students are consistently motivated, engaged, challenged, and assessed at all levels on Bloom’s Taxonomy in inquiry-based, independent and cooperative learning environments. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. By diligently striving to discover answers, create solutions, and formulate new questions, you will develop confidence, intelligence, and awareness. Our passionate and experienced teachers will then challenge and motivate our students to use their newly acquired gifts of knowledge and skills to better themselves, the community, and the world at large.
Go Lions!
Respectfully submitted,
Mr. Stephen Cravak, M.Ed.
Principal
About the Principal- Mr. Stephen Cravak
Mr. Cravak brings fifteen years of liberal arts teaching and school leadership experience from Florida, Japan, and Taiwan. He is a New York and National Board Certified teacher, and a Florida certified leader with a bachelor of science in English Education from Boston University, and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership.
He has years of experience with WASC Accreditation and as an Activities Director and Curriculum Coordinator, in addition to teaching English Language Arts, AP English Literature and Composition, Journalism, Creative Writing, TV Production, Leadership Skills Development, and Graphic Design courses. Co-curricular clubs are his passion as he has founded the National Honor Society, Standup Comedy, and Cinema Club chapters, and also advised award-winning speech and debate, World Scholar’s Cup, newspaper, and student council groups.
“The best teachers inspire students to discover the teacher within.”
It is with great pleasure and pride to welcome you to AAIA, where our students are Ambitious, Adaptable, and Innovative Achievers. In a time when educational institutions are often large and may feel impersonal, AAIA stands out as a place where everyone knows everyone else. Our commitment to fostering a close-knit community ensures that every student is not just a name but an integral part of our school family.
At AAIA, we hold Global Citizenship in high regard. We believe that exposing our students to different cultures and encouraging connections with peers from around the world can provide them with a broad and enriching perspective. As we embark on another academic year, I encourage every member of the AAIA community to actively participate in the various opportunities that our school provides. Whether it’s engaging in academic pursuits, participating in co-curricular activities, or building global connections, your involvement contributes significantly to the lively atmosphere that makes our school unique. Together, let us continue to make AAIA a place where ambition thrives, adaptability is celebrated, and innovation leads the way.
Respectfully submitted,
Ms. Betty Deng, M.Ed.
Vice Principal
About the Vice Principal- Ms. Betty Deng
Betty experienced a diverse educational journey from East to West. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and a TESOL Certificate from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada. Building on this foundation, she went on to achieve her Master’s degree in Education and a Teaching Certificate in Elementary Oversea/International Education from The College of New Jersey. Additionally, she holds a Certificate in School Management and Leadership (CSML) from the collaborative program between Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School. With over twenty years of teaching experience in private schools across Canada and Taiwan, Ms. Deng has received notable recognition. In 2004, she was honored with “The Excellent Teaching Award” in Yung-Ho City, and in 2015, she received the “Teacher of the Year” award. Ms. Deng is known for her passion for engaging with students and creating a welcoming environment where she enjoys chatting with students and providing support in any way she can.
“A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart.”
