Experience
Early Childhood Specialist
Named one of the top 10 most innovative companies in Africa by Fast Company in 2015, Ubongo, which means brain in Kiswahili, seeks to entertain children in Africa to learn and love learning.
- Designed curriculum and content for Akili and Me, Ubongo’s first early childhood multimedia (TV, Radio, Mobile) program, currently reaching 2.8 million households across Tanzania and Kenya
Senior Program Manager, Education Innovation
With the goal of championing the socio-economic prosperity of the people of Africa, Equity Group Foundation delivers high-impact social programs, including the largest scholarship program in Africa, Wings to Fly.
- Led the design of low-cost digital tools and IT labs to improve learning and employability outcomes of 12,377 disadvantaged youth in Wings to Fly and potentially impact the wider learning ecosystem.
School Leadership
Oshwal Academy aims to develop the academic, moral, and social potential of each child through a world-class, cost-effective educational program.
- Advised governing board on school leadership, child protection and school climate.
School Leadership
Ayb High School is Armenia's premier high school for the academically gifted.
- Oversaw development of school’s methodology, curriculum, teaching standards, academic and disciplinary policies, professional development, English language program, and college preparation and advising.
- Received Best Teacher Award for outstanding contribution to students' intellectual and personal growth
Accreditation & Assessment
American University of Armenia prepares students to address the needs of Armenia and the surrounding region for sustainable development, in a setting that values and develops academic excellence, free inquiry, integrity, scholarship, leadership, and service to society.
- Assisted in the 1) design of four new, US accredited degree programs, 2) development of the university’s educational effectiveness strategy, 3) faculty training to institutionalize the assessment of student learning, and 4) design of various courses, including the Freshman English program currently taught to 280 students.
Curriculum Development
The Making Learning Visible (MLV) is a collaborative research project between Project Zero researchers and educators from the Municipal Preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. MLV investigated how best to understand, document, and support individual and group learning for children and adults.
- Documented learning and teaching and produced multi-media narratives for professional development
Instructional Coach
Peacework engages communities, academic institutions, and corporations in innovative cross-sector solutions for sustainable development around the world and across seven development disciplines: agriculture, business, education, engineering, health, public service, and technology.
- Implemented literacy, technology, and mentoring initiatives in low-performing schools, and oversaw collaborative professional development projects linking U.S. & Belizean teachers and counselors.
Teacher
Centro Educativo Waldorf is the first waldorf school in Costa Rica and aims to “receive children in reverence, educate them in love, and let them go forth in freedom.”
- Taught pre-school to grade 5, and created school’s first English Curricula for Native & Novice English speakers.
Founder
“SEE! (Serve, Educate, and Engage) the World,” Duke’s first international service-learning program, educates students as global citizens through
- Program served 60 students in over 20 countries.
- Designed & taught course “Addressing Social Justice Issues Abroad and At Home.”
Inspired by Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, SEE! the World is a pedagogy of solidarity aiming to connect Duke students to realities beyond their campus's castle walls so that they too might find the courage to care.
Students' Testimonials
“She is the kind of person who no matter what would stand up for the right thing and she constantly reminds us that we can also be that person.”
~Ani Michelle Bezjian (11th Grade)
“She is one of the most caring, responsible and knowledgeable teachers that I ever had. Simply because during hard times she believed in us more than we did.”
~Marta Miskaryan (11th Grade)
“For me she is a teacher of life. Her way of teaching was the best for us, because she would treat each student individually, because she believed every student has a huge role in the school life.”
~Mikayel Petrosyan (11th Grade)“Our class was probably one of the most interesting and prolific classes. Thanks for helping us to find ourselves and stay who we are.”
~Jane Ter-Zakaryan (12th Grade)
Parents' Testimonials
“As a teacher, her style and approach caught my attention from the very beginning as it was quite different from the traditional style of teaching in the post-Soviet countries. She earned respect and admiration of parents in the school.”
~Anoush Yedigaryan
“The impact of her restless and very professional work contributed to making the school overall stronger both in terms of suggested quality academic program, as well as stronger engagement of parents’ community into the educational process of their children.”
~Kristine Mikhailidi
Teachers' Testimonials
“It is from Lissett that I, an already experienced teacher, have learned so many new things, in terms of both teaching methodology and human relationships.”
~Hasmik Babajanyan, Master Teacher
"I am an English teacher and had the pleasure of being under Lissett Babaian's supervision. She is a very committed and enthusiastic supervisor with fantastic communication and teamwork skills.”
~Seda Dallakyan, English Instructor
Supervisors' Testimonials
“A superb educator, Lissett is a hardworking, innovative, resourceful, caring professional who engages with those around her with respect, and meets challenges with intelligence and creativity. Lissett is a good listener and she finds innovative ways to engage teammates,offer guidance, and provide support to those around her.”
~Sharistan Melkonian,
(Director of Accreditation, American University of Armenia)
“Ms. Babaian is a very bright, talented, hardworking and dedicated young professional with fresh ideas and excellent organizational, writing and interpersonal skills. Her ability to grasp the task at hand and conceptualize it was remarkable. One of her particular strengths is the ability to appropriately design and develop a concept through incremental improvement, drawing on the insights of stakeholders, enriched by her own research and expertise, resulting in a final product that enjoys abroad sense of ownership.”
~Dr. Thomas Samuelian
(Dean of College of Arts & Sciences, American University of Armenia)
