How Busia Teacher Audrey Ashiali Built a High-Paying Career in Bahrain, Kazakhstan, and Moscow

Audrey Ashiali, a 35-year-old educator from Busia County, Kenya, currently holds a leadership position at Brooks Moscow International School. 

This is a testament to her resilience and the increasing recognition of African teachers within the global education sector. Ashiali's career trajectory embodies both individual triumph and the growing demand for African educators in international settings. She embodies a shift in the perception of Kenyan teachers, lauded for their pedagogical rigor, adaptability, and strong rapport with students. 

As Ashiali states, these educators are recognised for their "great work ethic, commendable skill set, and excellent teacher-student relations." The journey began in Busia County, where early motherhood at age 17 interrupted Ashiali's academic pursuits. After pausing her education to raise her daughter, she returned to complete her secondary schooling. 

While her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results—an average grade of C+—initially thwarted her ambition to study law, this apparent setback catalysed a career in education. Her initial foray into the legal profession as a clerk, however, proved advantageous. The role provided her with negotiation skills and a strong work ethic that later proved invaluable in her teaching career. 

Encouraged by mentors and drawing upon familial ties to the teaching profession, Ashiali pursued a Bachelor of Education degree at Mt Kenya University, specialising in English and Literature. To support herself during her studies, Ashiali demonstrated entrepreneurial flair by selling music cassettes to fund her living expenses. Her teaching practice at Chania Boys High School revealed a natural aptitude for student engagement, foreshadowing her success in the classroom. 

After graduating in 2014, she returned to Busia to teach locally, but a health crisis briefly interrupted her career. In mid-2015, surgery to remove ovarian cysts marked, in her words, a "rebirth." During her recovery, a Facebook debate on teachers’ welfare sparked Ashiali's interest in international teaching opportunities. Despite lacking prior experience with global curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge, she explored these possibilities. 

Her qualifications – two teaching subjects, a degree in education, and active involvement in extracurricular activities – aligned with international school criteria.

This research led to a short-term role at Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi, her initial exposure to international curricula. This posting proved pivotal, equipping her with the necessary skills and confidence to pursue opportunities abroad. In 2016, Ashiali relocated to Bahrain, a move she describes as a "leap of faith". 

Despite cultural differences and unfamiliar pedagogical expectations, she thrived, earning her first million Kenyan shillings within the first year, purchasing a car, and acquiring land for her parents in Bumala. After five years in Bahrain, Ashiali pursued a position in Uzbekistan, but visa complications diverted her path. She then secured a role in Kazakhstan’s Presidential Schools, institutions that deliver the Cambridge curriculum. 

This appointment marked a significant advancement, with a starting salary of $4,200—nearly triple her earnings in Bahrain. She was quickly promoted to Head of Department and later Subject Lead, overseeing English instruction across 14 schools. At 31, she managed assessment systems, moderated academic work, and led a team of experienced educators, becoming the "youngest expert teacher in that whole space".

Recognising the challenges faced by Kenyan teachers navigating global curricula, Ashiali founded Audrey’s Digital School, a mentorship platform designed to prepare educators for international roles. This initiative addresses a critical gap, as many teachers possess strong content knowledge but lack familiarity with the pedagogical frameworks required by IB and Cambridge systems. Through coaching and curriculum orientation, she has helped many teachers position themselves for global opportunities.

Ashiali's current role at Brooks Moscow International School in Russia represents the culmination of her perseverance and professional growth. Recruited through a WhatsApp group for Kenyan educators in the diaspora, she joined the institution in 2022. The position offers comprehensive benefits, including a two-bedroom apartment, tuition for her daughter, travel allowances, meals, and medical insurance. Her daughter, now in Form Five, is one of her students.

Beyond the material benefits, the role offers intellectual and cultural enrichment. Ashiali teaches students from 54 nationalities and leads the Model United Nations club, guiding learners through international competitions in Turkey, St Petersburg, and other cities. Her contributions to curriculum development and homeroom instruction have earned her top ratings, and she is poised to assume the Head of Department role when the school resumes in August.