Kaoutar Tahiri

Meet Kaoutar Tahiri from Morocco

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Kaoutar is our Teacher of the Month and received the 'Most Positive Teacher' award from her host school! She has shared valuable insights for her fellow J-1 teachers. You can read her tips below:

What has been your most memorable cultural experience so far?

One of my most memorable experiences was participating in celebrations like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Since I had never celebrated them before, I truly enjoyed experiencing the cultural differences and being part of the traditions.

What has been your favorite part about living in the US?

Every part of my J-1 journey has been special—meeting new people, teaching diverse students, and sharing my culture. I’ve loved how curious people are to learn more about me and how I’ve had the chance to represent Morocco and its rich traditions. Trying new foods and exploring life in the U.S. has also been an exciting part of the experience.

What has been the most challenging?

The beginning is always the most difficult. The most challenging part was when I first arrived—experiencing culture shock and adjusting from my previous life in Morocco to a completely new environment in the U.S.

Do you have tips for your fellow J-1 teachers?

My biggest tip is: don’t expect everything to make sense right away—and that’s okay. Give yourself grace. Some days will feel overwhelming, but each challenge is helping you grow. Talk to other teachers, even just during lunch—it helped me feel less alone. And when I started sharing small things about Morocco, like songs or greetings, my students lit up. That reminded me why I came here in the first place.

What has been your student's favorite cultural exchange activity so far?

My students loved getting on Zoom with my former students from Morocco. They shared their hobbies, favorite foods, and daily routines, and asked questions about each other’s traditions. They were so engaged—they didn’t want the call to end! It was amazing to see how excited and curious they were to connect with kids from across the world.

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