A Cup of Turkish Coffee and a Vision for Learning: Meet Dr. Özden Özkanoğlu

Walking into the office of Dr. Özkanoğlu [pronounced oezkano'lu], you can't help but notice the elegant coffee cups displayed on her shelf. As she welcomes you with a warm smile, she offers: "Would you like a cup of Turkish coffee?" It's a small gesture, but it speaks volumes about who she is: someone who instinctively shares her culture, creates connection, and makes everyone feel valued from the moment they walk through the door. This welcoming spirit is exactly what she brings to her role as Awty's new PYP Coordinator, guiding our Primary School through its journey toward IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) authorization.

A Journey Rooted in Passion

Dr. Özkanoğlu’s story begins in Turkiye, where she studied education and discovered her passion for teaching. It was not until her final year of college, however, that she first encountered the IB Primary Years Programme. “In my senior year, like 23 years ago, I kept hearing about these PYP schools during our practicum placements,” she recalls. “My curiosity grew, and I wanted to understand what made them different.”

That curiosity soon shaped her professional path. After graduation, she joined a school that was beginning its PYP journey. “I started as a teacher, but very quickly became deeply involved in the programme,” she explains. As the school worked toward authorization, she stepped into the role of PYP coordinator and helped lead the entire community through the process. “Supporting that school on its path to becoming an authorized PYP school was the start of my lifelong connection to the IB.”

But loving something and understanding it deeply are two different things. Dr. Özkanoğlu wanted to go deeper. She pursued her Master's degree, writing her dissertation on PYP's transdisciplinary learning model. Then she went even further, completing her PhD on one of the PYP approaches to teaching, specifically differentiation.“For both my master’s and my PhD, I did my research in IB PYP schools,” she explains. “It was a great experience to look at the programme through a researcher’s lens.”

This expertise led to an invitation from the IB to become a workshop leader and school visitor for evaluation and authorization visits. "Since 2008, I've been travelling all around the world facilitating workshops and conducting school visits for the PYP," she says, her enthusiasm evident. "I am genuinely passionate about IB. Meeting the IB programmes early in my career shaped my entire professional journey. For me, it offered the most future-focused, inquiry-driven framework and connected me to a global community of educators who share the same values. It aligned beautifully with my own educational philosophy—it felt like the right fit from the very beginning."

More Than a Coordinator

Dr. Özkanoğlu's commitment to education extends beyond Awty's walls. She teaches at universities as part of IB's Educator Certification Program, helping train the next generation of IB teachers. She is also a part of Rice University’s Advanced Leadership Seminar through the School Literacy and Culture, where she mentored educators and contributed to research on education.

And then there are the books—72 of them, to be exact. Dr. Özkanoğlu writes children's books in Turkish, with one translated into English. "I love storytelling, and I love including international-mindedness, mutual respect, intercultural understanding, self-esteem, and advocacy in my stories," she explains. "Each story is designed to nurture the attitudes that help children understand themselves and connect meaningfully with others."

Eleven years ago, Dr. Özkanoğlu and her family moved to Houston as expats. "After the fifth year here, we started calling Houston home," she says with a smile. Now, joining Awty feels like coming home in a different way.

Why Awty, Why Now

“It truly felt like the right moment for our paths to cross,” Dr. Özkanoğlu reflects. “With Awty beginning its PYP journey, the timing and the vision aligned in such a natural way.” What drew her in? “The diversity, the strong emphasis on international-mindedness, and the uniqueness of being an independent international school. That combination is incredibly special. It is a privilege for both teachers and students.”

She also recognized something essential: potential. “We all knew Awty had a strong foundation and remarkable potential for the PYP. Our work now is to place everything within the PYP framework, guided by the IB Programme Standards and Practices. I am genuinely excited to move through this journey with the community—and to celebrate together when Awty becomes an authorized PYP school.”

Her first impression of Awty confirmed her instincts. "It was so welcoming—very professional but also warm. It's a big school, but I liked how it was nicely structured. When I had a question, I received an answer in 20 minutes."

She laughs remembering her first day. "I came to the school to pick up my laptop, and I thought, 'I will never learn this school. I will never learn anybody's name. I will never find my way!' But by the fourth day, I was giving a tour to another new teacher who arrived later."

What Makes PYP Special

For families unfamiliar with the Primary Years Programme, Dr. Özkanoğlu offers a clear explanation: “PYP is a curriculum framework, not a prescribed curriculum. It gives schools a structure for how children learn best—through inquiry, exploration, and big concepts that help them make connections across subjects. Schools use their own local or international standards to design the curriculum within the PYP framework.”

She adds, “The beauty of PYP is that it protects each school’s unique identity and culture while providing a rigorous, research-based framework that supports deep thinking and high-quality learning for its students.”

The result? "It creates naturally rigorous, engaging, relevant learning experiences for students. Instead of just preparing them for tests, we make them curious about what they're learning. It prepares students for the 21st century and makes them part of a global community of learners."

What excites Dr. Özkanoğlu most about the PYP is how it meets children where they are and genuinely values their voice and choice. "In the PYP, students have agency—they have a say in their learning. They are not passive receivers of knowledge; they help shape the learning process. They use their voice, make choices, and take ownership. We make sure they feel heard, loved, and valued, so they develop positive dispositions toward learning."

She sees this in action every day. Recently, the Lower School Student Council prepared a presentation for the annual toy drive. Without any prompting, the students connected the entire initiative to the IB Learner Profile and integrated those attributes into their presentation. “It has been only three months,” she notes, “and children are already making the Learner Profile part of their lives.”

Building Community, One Conversation at a Time

As PYP Coordinator, Dr. Özkanoğlu serves as a thought partner for teachers, meeting weekly with each grade level and department to plan teaching and learning. She ensures IB guidelines are followed, provides resources and professional development, and prepares all documentation for authorization.

But what truly energizes her is the Awty community itself. “Our faculty brings a wide range of perspectives. Some share experiences from schools in places like Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, France, or Germany, and others contribute deeply rooted local expertise. Together, these perspectives create a rich learning environment. I see teachers showing growth mindset and open-mindedness every day—we are living the IB Learner Profile.”

She lights up talking about student interactions. “When I see students in the hallway, they show me their IB Learner Profile work or ask me questions about PYP. Even the students know I am here for a purpose—for this new thing called the PYP. That has been my favorite part so far.”

A Message for Families

When asked how families can support inquiry-based learning at home, Dr. Özkanoğlu’s advice is beautifully simple: “Let them ask questions. Let them find their way—with facilitation, or sometimes entirely on their own. Do not speak on behalf of your children. Let them try, let them fail, because they will understand that we can learn from failure too.”

She adds that supporting the PYP at home does not require formal activities—just intentional habits. “Expose them to different perspectives. Let them meet people from varied backgrounds, hear different languages, taste new foods, or listen to stories from places they have never been. When children experience diversity, they learn that it is okay for others—with their differences—to also be right. That is the heart of international-mindedness.”

She smiles as she reflects on the role families play. “Ask open-ended questions at the dinner table. Invite them into conversations. Encourage them to wonder about the world. These small moments build the dispositions we hope for in the PYP—curiosity, empathy, and the courage to make a difference.”

The Future She Envisions

When Dr. Özkanoğlu thinks about Awty students graduating from Lower School as PYP learners, her vision is strong and clear: “These students will be ready to make meaningful change—in their families, in their communities, and in the world around them. They will have the knowledge, the courage, and the agency to see themselves as capable of making a difference. And it all begins with believing they can.”

She leans forward as she continues: “They will stand up for themselves and for others. They will care for their environment and make thoughtful choices that reflect their values. They will bring empathy, perspective, and responsibility into whatever spaces they move into.”

This vision isn't just professional for Dr. Özkanoğlu, it's deeply personal. As a mother of two Awty students in Primary School, she's living the PYP journey alongside the families she serves. “I'm so excited about the PYP future for my own kids”, she shares. The thought of them growing up in this inquiry-based, internationally minded community means everything to her, both as an educator and as a parent.

Her vision includes the school as well. “I see Awty becoming an exemplary PYP school—one that other schools look to when they begin their own journeys. With the strength of this community, the dedication of our teachers, and the curiosity of our students, Awty has everything it needs to shine.”

Educational Change Worth Celebrating

“I am excited about this change,” Dr. Özkanoğlu reflects. “We are not replacing what Awty already does well; we are placing those strengths within the PYP Programme Standards and Practices. Educational change is always energizing—and when that change is supported by research and strengthened through global quality assurance at a great school like Awty, the support and excitement from the community make it even more inspiring.”

As our conversation comes to a close, the Turkish coffee cup catches the morning light, a reminder that the best education, like the best hospitality, creates space for connection, curiosity, and growth. With Dr. Özkanoğlu guiding Awty's PYP journey, our youngest learners are in the hands of someone who doesn't just understand the framework—she lives its values every day, one welcoming cup of coffee at a time.

January 2026 Articles