Dear all,

I would like to introduce myself to those who don’t know me and share my excitement for all the years I have been with the ACS Athens family and community of learners.

My love for teaching has allowed me for the past 30 plus years, to have had the opportunity to teach students in all grade levels.  I feel fortunate that I have touched so many students, via my commitment to helping each and every one of them find success.  Academic excellence, student- centered approaches to teaching, and lot’s of love and support for all students, has made my job take a primary role in my life.

I feel privileged to have, over the years, gained the respect and trust from my students, colleagues, parents and all others whom I have come in contact with.  My passion for what I do and my work to build the Optimal Match program is a testament of my ethos and beliefs.  Six years ago, sharing this dream, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation gave us a grant to equip and furnish the present facilities of the Optimal Learning program.  Today, new initiatives are being planned and wonderful opportunities for ACS Athens and the greater community.

I am a believer for life long learning and I try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes up to better serve the students, parents, and faculty, as well as, to be able to answer their questions.

I am a member of the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AIEE) and of the Near East South Asia Region Schools (NESA).

For the past six years, I have co organized the ACS Athens Annual Learning Differences Conferences, a continuing effort to raise awareness on the subject of educating children with learning differences. 

These conferences bring together key international educators who offer their expertise on these subjects to over 300 people from all over the world.

In 2010, I was selected to serve on The European Council of International Schools (ECIS) Special Education Needs (SEN) Committee. I am also the Vice President for the Professional Special Education Society in Greece, a founding member of the Hellenic Institute for Study and Research of Learning Disabilities and serving on the IB Special Education Needs (SEN) Committee, as well as, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Education committee for Learning Differences.

I earned my Masters degree in Special Education from Lesley College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, my Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Salve Regina College, Newport, Rhode Island, have taken many classes over the years from different institutions, and I am currently working on a post graduate degree on Improving Student Learning and Quality of Teaching in International Schools from Buffalo State SUNY University, New York.  I also hold several teaching certificates including certificates for teaching students with mild-moderate-severe learning differences and handicaps.

Additional trainings include Inclusive Technology for Special Education from Fairfax County, Virginia, Aerospace Science from NASA, Houston, Texas, and Gifted and Talented Program at the Johns Hopkins University-CTY, Maryland.

My office is always open and I look forward to answering your questions and assisting you in making informed decisions.  I am committed to working with each and every one of you as a mentor of education and teaching innovation for students who learn differently.

I firmly believe that if all of us work together, we will make a positive difference in each and every child we come in contact with.

Sincerely,

Chris Perakis

Director

Learning Enhancement Programs & SNFLC