SAMUEL DAVID HALTON
Educator & Researcher
Istanbul
Summary
Independently motivated and results-focused professional with an educational background in International Relations and Middle East studies. Graduate of a research-intense graduate program focused on analyzing complex political, social, and economic trends in South West Asia. Extensive academic and field experience in The Caucasus and The Middle East, including Turkey, Armenia, Iraq, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Language Instructor
Native English Institute
01.2021 - Current
- Teachers professional and academic English to working professionals online
- Provides private lessons to business executives working in the pharmaceutical industry in Japan
Manager of Department and Academic Staff Trainer
SABIS International School
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Helped manage a public-private partnership training program between SABIS International School and the district government of Mergasor in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
- Provided training courses for local teachers in the city of Soran, and the surrounding cities of Barzan, Khalifan, and Choman.
- Taught Social Studies and History Courses to High School students.
- Reviewed teacher lesson plans, conducted in-class teacher observations, trained teaching staff, organized schedules, and aided in the hiring process of new employees.
- Developed curriculum and organized the schedules for the training courses.
- Acted as liaison between Soran International School branch and SABIS program administrators in other branches in Duhok, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah.
Research Assistant
Middle East Institute
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Worked as a research assistant for Dr. Gönül Tol at the Middle East Institutes Turkish studies department.
- Monitored and analyzed Turkey’s political, social, and economic developments in The Middle East, The Caucasus, and Central Asia.
- Report topics included : Turkish foreign policy in Libya, Turkish policy in Iraq and Syria, and the history of Turkish-Russian relations.
- Tracked daily developments and trends in the Middle East from local and international news outlets in both the Turkish and English language.
- Conducted long distance research from Istanbul by writing a report about Turkish influence on the Syrian opposition.
Volunteer Conflict Observer/Social Studies Teacher
The Excellence Center
03.2018 - 09.2018
- Studied Arabic and taught courses in the Palestinian territories
- Took intensive Arabic classes in the Levantine dialect
- Mirrored local NGOs and visited local refugee camps in Hebron, Nablus, and Bethlehem
- Volunteered as a foreign observer by observing the political crisis in the West Bank
- Interviewed locals and visited various flashpoints within the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- Provided social studies classes for children residing in Hebron and the surrounding villages
Language Instructor
Medipol University
09.2018 - 12.2018
- Expanded student understanding of texts by spearheading in-depth discussions and assigning exploratory essays to help students articulate knowledge.
- Sourced optimal curricula and developed lesson plans to fully cover target material for each course.
- Immersed students in unfamiliar cultures by devising hands-on activities.
- Employed diverse teaching approaches in both English and Turkish to help students of all abilities understand material.
Manager of Examinations
AD.DAR, Community Center for Syrian and Palestinian Refugees
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Worked with AD.DAR community center, a group that offers courses and support to Syrian refugees in Istanbul
- Managed AD.DAR’s program assisting Syrian and Palestinian refugees applying to University in the United States and Canada by coordinating logistics for the program in Istanbul
- Helped students register for the TOEFL exam, assisted them with the University application process, and prepared them for their visa interviews at the American consulate in Istanbul.
- Helped 10 Syrian students move to the United States for University before Donald Trumps Executive Order 13769.
Caseworker
Contra Costa Jewish Family and Children Services
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Tutored Iranian and Afghan refugees in California
- Guided refugees through the completion of work applications and preparation for job interviews
- Assisted recent arrivals in adapting to their new lives in the United States.
English and TOEFL Teacher, Just English
Just English Language Center
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Developed effective assessment tools to track student progress, informing instructional adjustments as needed.
- Implemented evidence-based instructional strategies, contributing to overall improvement in school-wide TOEFL pass rate.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and offering guidance on classroom management techniques.
- Prepared reading and conversational lessons and materials.
- Provided listening and speaking exercises and activities. Taught private one-on-one English lessons and classes consisting of 20 to 30 students.
Education
Master of Arts - Near and Middle Eastern Studies
University of London, School of Oriental And African Studies
London 09.2016 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, International Relations Track.
University of California Davis,
Davis California 09.2008 - 08.2012
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations And Affairs
Bilkent University
Ankara Turkey 04.2001 -
Skills
Monitoring and Evaluation
Training/Mentoring
Research/Reporting
Project Management
Policy Analysis
Languages
English- Native
Excellent
Turkish - Upper Intermediate
Very Good
Levantine Arabic
Russian
Sorani Kurdish
Additional Information
Holds American and Irish Citizenship. Does not require a visa to work or enter the United States, The European Union, or United Kingdoms.
Currently holds a Valid Turkish Residence Permit (Ikamet).
Accomplishments
Dean’s Honor List, University of California Davis,
Spring 2012 and Fall 2012
Turkish Language Certificate (Tömer Turkish Language School, Ankara University), Istanbul, Turkey, 2015
Timeline
Language Instructor
Native English Institute
01.2021 - Current
Research Assistant
Middle East Institute
01.2019 - 01.2020
Language Instructor
Medipol University
09.2018 - 12.2018
Volunteer Conflict Observer/Social Studies Teacher
The Excellence Center
03.2018 - 09.2018
Manager of Department and Academic Staff Trainer
SABIS International School
01.2018 - 01.2020
Master of Arts - Near and Middle Eastern Studies
University of London, School of Oriental And African Studies
09.2016 - 06.2017
English and TOEFL Teacher, Just English
Just English Language Center
01.2013 - 01.2016
Manager of Examinations
AD.DAR, Community Center for Syrian and Palestinian Refugees
01.2012 - 01.2016
Caseworker
Contra Costa Jewish Family and Children Services
01.2009 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, International Relations Track.
University of California Davis,
09.2008 - 08.2012
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations And Affairs
Bilkent University
04.2001 -