In a class of her own

Delice Scotto, principal of the American Academy for Girls (AAG), Mizhar, who hails from New York, USA, and has been an educator for 30 years

It just seemed natural for me to become an educator. I love being with children and I love to see them grow. And I've been fortunate to have been doing that for the past 30 years.

Single-gender schools are gaining popularity because of the values they instill in their students.

Of course, for girls it not only gives them the choice to be with other girls but also allows them to feel comfortable and not to worry about things they typically would worry about in a co-education situation.

Because of that they can focus on things they are strong at. They can develop their strengths, determine where their weaknesses lie and go about building their character and abilities.

As with any idea, there are pros and cons for co-education. Some people (believe) co-education works well and others say that single gender is the way to go. The pendulum of opinion swings back and forth. Twenty years ago everyone wanted co-education and now it is swinging in the opposite direction.

Now many people are recognising the fact that single-gender schools are far better for some children. You as a parent have a choice. You need to know your child well enough and determine ? what kind of an environment is ideal for them to flourish. For some, it may be a single-gender environment.

In 1968, I went to an all-girl university (New York University) in New York City.

Neither of my parents attended university and I was the first in my family to do so. At the time, it was not customary for all girls to go to university but my parents allowed me to go and they felt comfortable (because) I was at an all-girl university.

At first, I did not think I would like it as I had been in co-ed public schools (until then). But as I got involved, I realised that I was studying harder, was completely focused on what I was doing and had minimal distractions. As a result, I got more out of my education.

When I went to college (from 1968 to 1972) ?
? women were usually mothers, teachers, or nurses - and I always wanted to be an educator.

My brother, Anthony, is about three-and-a-half years younger than me and (as children) we used to play 'school' all the time, where I was always the teacher.

Being the mother of a daughter (Nicole, now 28) and seeing the needs she had when she was growing up has made me reflect on my experiences while growing up and how I flourished in an all-girl situation.

I hoped that I could bring some of that to (the students here) - things I enjoyed about my education and things my daughter didn't like about hers.

I loved the family atmosphere in school. I loved the small classes of 15 to 18 students and the individual attention everyone got. This I am practising at AAG - individual attention and a family atmosphere.

In Kuwait, some years ago ?
? I was teaching at the American Academy (from 1996 to 2000) and I opened the middle school there. That was my first experience as a principal and I learnt a lot about single-gender schools then. I don't teach classes at AAG - my duties as a principal keep me too busy for that. I have not taught an all-girl class.

I've always taught co-ed classes.

I visited the American University of Sharjah ?
? last year and was told several students from the American Academy in Kuwait were enrolled there. So I got the opportunity to meet some of them.

Even though I could not remember their faces or names clearly, as they had grown up, they remembered me and told me how important what I had taught them was to them.  That is why a teacher's job is so satisfying. When a teacher (finds out) she has made a difference in the life of even one student, it means a lot.

At AAG we are trying to create an environment where girls are nurtured.

We encourage them, build on their strengths and make them really comfortable, so they are willing to try things (without any risk of embarrassment). Here they don't have to worry about anyone making fun of them - they are comfortable and safe.

We adopt a holistic approach to education. Intellectual growth ? is very important, indeed, but we also know that unless a child gets a good balance of physical, mental and spiritual growth, it is not going to work.

We focus on different aspects of their growth. They may be in the laboratory doing a science project, then out in the field playing rugby or doing other activities such as girl guides. We have a group that meets to do creative projects, athletics and community service.

We are encouraging girls to be leaders and capable of everything. It depends on what you want your daughter to be - just the mother of your grandchildren or also the CEO of a company.

Most of our parents are very happy with what we are doing for their girls.

The girls from kindergarten to grade 10 are also happy. I reassure anxious parents that I am a mother and will act as their parent here. We are family here and their children are safe in our hands.

I've had to change (some parents' attitudes) ? as they thought co-education was popular and therefore good. And it is, when it works for your child. So we had to get them to understand what we were providing was really valuable for their girls.

I hope AAG grows to be really successful ?
? and our girls grow up to be leaders in their (chosen) fields. Twenty years from now, I want to sit on a chair with my grandchildren around me and read in a newspaper about the girls (who have passed through here) and their accomplishments.