At Lincoln, we have always believed that teachers matter.
A good curriculum matters. Good materials matter. A well-organized classroom matters. But in the end, it is the teacher who brings all of those things together and creates the environment in which genuine learning takes place.
That is why, from the very beginning, we took the quality of our teachers so seriously.
When we were preparing to open in Tirana in 1997, we sought out some of the city’s most respected English teachers—educators such as Nikolina Koka, Mimoza Djepaxhi, Hatixhe Agalliu, Gëzime Skënderi, Vigjilenca Pollo and others who already brought years of experience and a deep commitment to their profession.
But we did not stop there.
We wanted to combine the strength and experience of excellent Albanian teachers with the best of American pedagogical practice. So we brought in outside educators and pedagogical specialists (like long-time board member Dr. John Hughes) to train our teachers in student-centered instruction, classroom management, lesson planning, assessment, and the practical methods that help students learn more effectively.
Our goal was to create model classrooms—places where teachers were prepared, students were engaged, expectations were high, and real learning could take place.
Over time, those practices became part of what we now call The Lincoln Way™.
Building on Strong Foundations
Nearly three decades later, that commitment continues.
Today, many of our most experienced teachers are themselves the trainers.
They take the foundations established in Lincoln’s early years, build upon them, and pass them on to the next generation of Lincoln teachers. New instructors do not simply receive a classroom and a textbook. They enter a teaching culture with established standards, experienced colleagues, and a clear expectation of professional growth.
At the same time, our veteran teachers continue to work on their own craft.
Throughout the year, we hold regular in-service days, teacher meetings, training sessions, and opportunities for our faculty to examine their lessons, exchange ideas, solve classroom challenges, and improve the quality of our instruction.
Teaching well requires that kind of commitment.
The best teachers never assume they have finished learning how to teach. They themselves are life-long learners.
A Commitment That Inspires Us
One of the things that continually inspires me about Lincoln is the professional seriousness of our teachers.
They care whether their students learn.
They prepare.
They evaluate what is working and what is not.
They help one another.
They continue learning themselves.
And they understand that every student who enters a Lincoln classroom has entrusted us with something valuable: time, resources, hopes, and often important plans for the future.
That responsibility deserves our best.
So, as you consider where you or your child should study, look beyond the course title or the textbook.
Ask about the teacher.
Ask how teachers are selected.
Ask how they are trained.
Ask whether they continue developing professionally after they begin teaching.
Because teachers matter.
For nearly 29 years, Lincoln has invested in teachers who care deeply about student learning and professional excellence.
We are proud of them.
And we believe you will see the difference when you enter a Lincoln classroom.
Our teachers are exceptional—and they are ready to help you learn.
Robb Provost
02.09.2026