Rei Barnes

Born in the United States to a family of teachers who wanted to become a part of an international community, I moved with them to Khamis Mushayt خميس مشيط‎, (Ḫamīs Mušayṭ), a city in Saudi Arabia located east of Abha in Asir province, when I was five. I lived there with my family and attended an International Academy with other children from many different countries until I was nearly ten years of age. My family then returned to the United States to continue my middle school and high school education. After high school I began teaching art classes to children while attending college and I realized then just how much I loved helping others to grasp the knowledge and experience they were yearning for to better themselves and the things they loved knowing and exploring.

During my time studying in college, I received an offer to move to China and teach English there. I moved to Guang Zhou 广州 [kwàŋ tʂóu] in the South of China where I spent four years as a dedicated English teacher at a private art elementary school. I also tutored in that city as an independent teacher for every age from preschool learners to adult learners. My wonderful experiences as a teacher in China fueled my passion for education and brought me to the realization that the best teacher is also a lifelong learner. I then returned to the U.S. to complete my higher education at the university level. I graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in 2016, and one in Japanese Studies in 2019. My time in university revealed to me that I have a personal zeal for the study of cultural arts, history, language, and literature, as well as spreading the knowledge, awareness of and appreciation for various global cultural heritages and their people to all generations internationally, offering a deeper understanding and sense of unity and community to all.   

Growing up in a global community myself, I feel very much at home at GIS, its goals, and values. I am very happy to be joining and doing my part to enrich and become a part of such a wonderful group of educators, students, and families. When I am not teaching I love to learn! I also like to weave, read, dance, sing, swim, listen to and create music. I enjoy performance arts, and all the crafting and creating you can imagine. I look forward to sharing everything I have learned and hope to inspire new excitement toward learning and discovery in my students.