Facilitator: Samir Jamal
Culturally Responsive Counseling in the International School
Contact: jsamir@aischennai.org
Samir (Sammy) started his educational career in Toronto, Canada two decades ago working in a progressive and diverse environment, serving mostly marginalized families, akin to the community of his upbringing. He completed his undergraduate degree in Human Kinetics (Movement Science) and a postgraduate degree in Education at the University of Windsor. After 10 years of teaching in all three divisions, Sammy's dedication to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) prompted him to complete a Master's degree in International Counseling at Lehigh University, complemented by an International Counseling Certificate from the Counseling Training Center (CTC).
Sammy feels privileged to have received training in SEL and culturally responsive teaching early on in his career. This provided him with the confidence and tools to meet his students where they are, creating an inclusive classroom culture centering their identities and voices. He continues to be guided through this lens in his current role as a comprehensive counselor. It has been rewarding for Sammy to utilize his experience in these areas and leverage his counseling superpowers to serve as an advocate and agent of change. He has had the opportunity to share his learning (and unlearning) by speaking at international and regional conferences on DEIJB, SEL/Wellbeing, and Post-Secondary Planning. Sammy believes that counselors are the heart of the school and that it is essential for them to have their finger on the pulse, utilizing "street data" to creatively reach all students and families. Sammy has been dedicated to destigmatizing mental health and counseling in his international school community, striving to make services more equitable and accessible. Witnessing changes in perceptions and a diverse range of families seeking support over the years has been a rewarding experience for him.
Sammy has lived and worked in Canada, Türkiye, Panama, and Laos. He currently resides in Chennai, India with his partner, María, and their ever-curious cross-culture kid Marcelo. Outside of work, Sammy enjoys playing sports, working out, dancing, and daddying. He tries to find balance by prioritizing his family.
