Mr.
Design Technology
Social Studies
Achpalia
Namaste!
Your
creative
Design
Technology
and
social studies
teacher!
✶
Your creative Design Technology and social studies teacher! ✶
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:
Students in action!
ideate
create, innovate.
It all begins with an idea!
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.
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.
Professional references:
Mike Livingston (School Director):
“
Thanks to Mr. Minoru's tutoring, I confidently navigated Japan last spring. His personalized lessons not only taught me the language but also immersed me in the culture. Arigato gozaimasu, Minoru Sensei!
Roxy, student from 2022–2023
Dr. Hugh Schoolman (Secondaty school principal):
“
Thanks to Mr. Minoru's tutoring, I confidently navigated Japan last spring. His personalized lessons not only taught me the language but also immersed me in the culture. Arigato gozaimasu, Minoru Sensei!
Roxy, student from 2022–2023
Ruchi Mahale (Elementary tech integrator):
“
Thanks to Mr. Minoru's tutoring, I confidently navigated Japan last spring. His personalized lessons not only taught me the language but also immersed me in the culture. Arigato gozaimasu, Minoru Sensei!
Roxy, student from 2022–2023
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.
