Mr.

Design Technology
Social Studies

A man with dark hair and a beard wearing sunglasses, a white shirt, and a yellow watch standing outdoors among green plants and trees, smiling.

Achpalia

Namaste!

Design

Technology

and

social studies

teacher

✶

Design Technology and social studies teacher ✶

A classroom with students and a teacher, some students seated at desks and one standing.

Hi there!
My name is Gaurav Achpalia. I guide students to explore, experiment, and thrive in a digital-first world with curiosity, innovation, and global perspectives for lifelong learning. I’m a creatively affluent, digitally fluent, communications professional with a Master’s in Media & Communications from Australia, a teaching certification from USA and a TEFL-certification. Currently, I am a Design Technology Teacher and Tech Integrator at Yangon International School embedding digital pedagogy across the secondary school to foster engaging, future-ready learning environments.

As a Design Technology Teacher and Technology Integrator at Yangon International School, Yangon, Myanmar (August 2024 – Present), I lead hands-on, project-based learning that combines creativity, problem-solving and purposeful use of technology. I teach Design Technology, Yearbook and Journalism for secondary students, guiding multimedia production workflows (audio and video production, digital publication and layout design) while integrating tools such as 3D printing, LEGO Robotics, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365. I collaborate with and coach faculty to embed digital tools and pedagogy across the curriculum, and design learning experiences aligned with ISTE standards and 21st-century skills so students become thoughtful, skilled, and responsible digital creators.

I completed the TEACH-NOW Teacher Certification Program from Moreland University (USA) in November 2024, a program that is PGCE equivalent and internationally recognized. I specialized in Secondary Social Studies, with clinical teaching practice in middle school classrooms and curriculum design aligned with U.S. education standards. This program strengthened my pedagogical foundations, assessment strategies, and ability to design student-centered learning experiences grounded in inquiry and real-world connection.

About me:

learning in action!

ideate

create, innovate.

Two students in maroon uniforms working with a small robot on a project in a classroom, with a laptop and various supplies on the table.
Person assembling a LEGO Mindstorms robot in a classroom or workshop setting with LEGO pieces and storage containers on the table.
A group of people in a conference room attending a presentation. One man in a pink shirt is speaking and gesturing towards a large screen displaying a slide about children's use of technology, social media, and safety.
Two students in maroon shirts working on a colorful robot at a white table in a classroom, with other students and laptops in the background.
A classroom with students in red uniforms sitting at tables and a teacher standing, pointing at a large screen displaying a colorful wheel, while two students in red stand near the screen, with classroom walls, a clock, and windows in the background.
A classroom with students in red uniforms facing the teacher at the front, who is demonstrating on a large screen connected to a computer, while several students stand near the teacher.
Students and a teacher working on a robotics project at a table in a classroom.
Three students working on a robotics project at a table, with a teacher supervising, in a classroom setting.
A man in a pink shirt and glasses giving a presentation in a classroom with a screen displaying a slide titled 'Digital Balance Guiding Your'. Several people are seated, and three individuals are standing near the presenter, including a boy in a yellow shirt and a man with a beard. There is a clock on the wall and a flag of Myanmar above the screen.

My mantras!

Mistakes teach faster than perfection

Growth happens through reflection

Curiosity leads, technology follows

In the classroom

Below are a series of teaching videos I created during my clinical practice for the Moreland University teacher certification program, completed during my career transition into education. As a candidate specializing in Middle School Social Studies, I designed and delivered these lessons to demonstrate my understanding and application of the InTASC teaching standards through thoughtful lesson planning, student-centered strategies, and reflective instructional practices.

These videos not only showcase my ability to apply pedagogy in real classroom settings, but also tell the story of my early days as an educator. From my early instructional attempts to my more confident and refined teaching toward the end of the program. Each video represents a step in my journey of learning, adapting, and shaping my teaching identity.

Certifications:

  • Degree certificate from the University of Wollongong Australia awarded to Gaurav Mahesh Achipalya for a Master of Media and Communications, dated March 10, 2017.

    Master's Degree

  • Certificate of completion awarded to Gaurav Mahesh Achpalia by Moreland University on November 25, 2024, for the TEACH NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, signed by Susanne H. Thompson, President.

    Teaching Certification

  • Certificate from The TEFL.org awarded to Gaurav Mahesh Achipalya for completing a 120-hour Premier TEFL course, dated October 14, 2023, signed by Jennifer Mackenzie.

    TEFL Certificate

  • Certificate of completion awarded to Gaurav Achpalia for a two-hour professional development course titled "Design Thinking: A Crash Course for Leaders" on October 14, 2025, signed by D.S. Watts, ISS Director of Learning, Research, & Outreach.

    Design Thinking Certification

  • Certificate of completion awarded to Gaurav Achpalia by ISS EDUlearn for five hours of professional development titled AI Leadership Accelerator 2.0, signed by D.S. Watts, dated October 13, 2025.

    AI Leadership Certification

Roles interested in:

MYP Design / Design Technology Teacher

With experience currently teaching Design Technology at Yangon International School and integrating 3D printing, Lego Robotics, Adobe Creative Suite, and multimedia production into classroom learning, I bring hands-on innovation to the MYP Design context. I design project-based learning aligned with ISTE standards and 21st-century skills while embedding the design cycle through real-world challenges. As a Tech Integrator, I also support faculty in adopting digital pedagogy school-wide, demonstrating leadership in curriculum innovation. My background in media production and creative problem-solving enables me to mentor students not just as learners, but as designers, creators, and critical thinkers.

Social Studies Teacher

I completed my TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate (Moreland University, Washington D.C.) with a specialization in Secondary Social Studies, gaining experience in curriculum planning, classroom management, assessment design, and standards-aligned instruction through clinical practice in middle school. I bring an inquiry-based, analytical approach to Social Studies, connecting history, civics, and geography with contemporary global issues. My teaching emphasizes critical thinking, media literacy, and student-driven inquiry, shaped by my background in communications and journalism, which strengthens my ability to design meaningful discussion, debate, and research-focused classroom experiences.

Professional references:

  1. Mike Livingston, School Director, Yangon International School: mlivingston@yis-yangon.edu.mm

  2. Dr. Hugh Schoolman, Secondary School Principal, Yangon International School: hschoolman@yis-yangon.edu.mm

My approach:

☻

Inspire Purpose Through Real-World Relevance

I begin by grounding learning in authentic, meaningful problems. Whether students are exploring human-centered design challenges or prototyping solutions for school-based needs, I connect learning to real contexts that matter to them. This purpose-driven approach builds intrinsic motivation and encourages students to see themselves as creators rather than consumers of technology.

❋

Build Skills Through Guided Inquiry and Design Thinking

My classroom is a space of structured inquiry fueled by curiosity and creativity. Using the design cycle as a framework, I scaffold research, problem analysis, and ideation so students develop strong critical thinking and decision-making skills. I model how to ask better questions, seek evidence, and justify design choices—essential habits for thoughtful innovation.

✦

Empower Through Making, Iteration, and Digital Fluency

Learning accelerates when students design, build, and test ideas. Through hands-on experiences in MakerSpaces and digital platforms, I integrate tools like Tinkercad, robotics, and rapid prototyping to help students bring ideas to life. I emphasize iterative learning, where productive struggle and redesign are celebrated as part of the creative journey.

✿

Shape Responsible, Collaborative Innovators

My approach goes beyond technology skills. I embed digital citizenship, ethical innovation, and collaboration at every stage. Students learn to work empathetically in teams, communicate their process clearly, and use technology responsibly to make a positive impact. I aim to build empowered learners who are future-ready and values-driven.

Let’s chat!

Portrait of a man wearing a dark navy blazer with a small sailboat pin, white shirt, and short dark hair against a plain white background.