The story behind Iccellena’s Reading PouchIccellena’s Reading Pouch actually began 30 years ago. It started and grew in my home as I raised my six children. There were bedtime stories that were told from my mind at night. “Mom, tell us one from your mind, not a book,” my children would say as I held a book and tucked them into bed. Of course, my children would love to embellish the stories and soon the stories became a part of their childhood.
I would jot down a story on a scrap of paper or notebook, thinking one day I might publish them as a book. The stories grew and so did the children. Before I knew it I was a grandmother and I was tucking little ones into bed again. “Grandma, tell us one from your mind, not a book,” they would say. My eldest granddaughter will be starting university next year. (Where did the time fly by?) My youngest of eight grandchildren is two and I have one grand puppy.
So I guess it’s time to put my stories in print. Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them!
Meet The Author
Kim’s life revolves around children of all ages and learning. She has a passion for teaching and education and is herself a life-long learner. She has worked in education for over 35 years, teaching students from KG through university. She has worked as a teacher, supervisor and principal and is currently an educational consultant, teacher trainer and life coach.
She loves traveling and visiting her children and grandchildren spread out around the world.
As a mother of six and grandmother of eight, Kim has spent many nights looking for someone’s sleepy. This inspired the journey of a child in the book, "I Lost My Sleepy".
Kim was delighted to have her granddaughter, Mira Hamdan, illustrate “Yolanda the Panda”.
“Bateeka and Dina”, was inspired by their rescue cat and her granddaughter. The summer she came to visit the two truly became inseparable.
A child at heart Kim, pours her heart into all of her stories and hopes that all children will experience the joy she feels in writing them. Through her stories, children embrace positive self-development and good character traits.
Happy Reading!
Authors objective
“To utilize my practical, professional and educational experience and English skills in schools and the community to improve English skills and communication for all levels; and globalization of ideas through communication, teacher training and curriculum in English. With a background in English, NLP and Life Coaching I want to spread positive thoughts and motivation to teachers, students and others through books, training, workshops, and consultations to institutes around the world.”
- Kim Parker
Trust the Expert
Kim Parker’s Enriching Journey
Entrepreneur, Author, Academic Advisor, Educational Consultant and Trainer
Pulse
Founding Partner August 2009-Present
-Co-writer (Kim Parker and Shoua Fakhouri) to Road to Success 1-8, student book and teacher editions.
-Islamic KG Curriculums for Noor Art in the USA
-Educational Consultant/Advisor
-Academic Advisor
-Local and International Trainer for Teachers/Schools
-Editing
-Author of curricula and readers
-Author of children’s stories
Lecturer and Trainer
Lecturer and Trainer 1983-Present
Trainer for Cambridge International Certificate for Teachers
Trainer for Certified International Teaching Program (CITP)
Symposium on English Language -“Acquiring Reading and Writing Strategies”, Symposiums at universities (NYIT and Ahliya University), colleges (Prince Alia Teaching College), and schools (Symposium on English Language Teaching-“Acquiring Reading and Writing Strategies”) (Shaping The Way We Teach: Successful Practices Conference), on English skills, teaching methods and creative thinking.
AdvancEd
Volunteer: 2014-Present
-Associate Lead for International Reviews: 2018-Present
-Lead for Early Childhood Learning: 2019-Present
Presented workshops at 10 of their Global Conferences (Dubai, Cairo, Riyadh and Jeddah) for the past four years. I have been on external review teams in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and China.
Bunat Alghad Academy (Amman, Jordan)
Head of English Department –June 2008-July 2010
-Select curriculum, hire teachers, give training sessions and workshops, observe classes, follow up on lesson plans, student work, organize activities, submit weekly reports for department, action plan, CIPP and CLSP mapping, weekly meetings with teachers and administrators, edit all English material. Set up intensive English courses and summer clubs.
Amman Ahliya University (Salt, Jordan)
Lecturer for English Department/Author e-learning 2007-2008
-Taught English 101, 102 and 103
-Worked with a team to create an e-learning program for English 101, 102, and 103
Al Hayat School (Amman, Jordan)
Principal and Assistant to Her Royal Highness Princess Areej -2005-2007
-Responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the school were running effectively and smoothly. Met with parents to discuss educational issues. Assisted Princess Areej in the hiring of teachers and syllabus selection. Attended classes, followed up on lesson plans and student books, and editing of exams, worksheets and parent letters. Organized and assisted all guest from Ambassadors to special guest from many diplomatic offices that attended and participated in activities at our school. Helped organize all activities, attended a variety functions and activities as Princess Areej’s assistant.
Dar AlManhal Publications (Amman, Jordan)
-Production Manager and narrator 2000-2002
-“Better English Now” –Grades 1st – 8th, Tapes and CD
Noor Arts Productions (Dallas, TX USA)
-Co-Author: Allah and Our World
KG curriculum and Teacher Edition
-“We Love Mohammed” Book and CD
Senior Editor, co-author and recording 1998-2000
-Edited a variety of material for Noor Arts
Ridwan School (Amman, Jordan)
English Coordinator and Head of Department 1999-2005
-Select Curriculum, organize activities, hire teachers, give workshops and seminars, set up yearly programs and educational goals, observe classes, weekly meetings with teachers, department heads, counseling with students and parents, edit exams, worksheets, etc. set up and taught summer clubs.
Modern Montessori Schools (Amman, Jordan)
Curriculum Developer and English Supervisor 1996-1999
-As a curriculum developer I developed textbooks based on specific themes, incorporating listening, reading and oral skills, grammar, vocabulary and composition.
-As an English Supervisor for grades 1st-8th, I was responsible for attending classes to evaluate teachers and curriculum, check lesson plans, students’ copybooks and exams. Give workshops and seminars on teaching methods.
Najd School (Riyadh, KSA)
Teacher KG, 1st and 12th - 1992-1995
-During this time I was able to acquire a variety of teaching skills and utilize creative teaching and visual aids
Other
-Webinar for Allah and My World
Certifications
-Cambridge Program Leader for the CICTT Program
-CIPP English Grader
-IGCSE Listening Examiner and Grader
-Certified Life Coach
-Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) Practitioner
-Law of Attraction Practitioner
-Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language-Stage 2 Intermediate
Course
-Leadership for Success: Knowledge, Strategies and Technology
(United Nations University)
-Critical Thinking and Critical Language Skills
-9th Private Schools Cultural and Educational Council
-Training Course –McGraw-Hill
-Early Childhood Development
-Social Studies
-AdvancEd Lead for Early Childhood Education