Oktay Koç
IB School Director (from September 1) | Mathematics & Statistics Teacher | PhD Cybersecurity Instructor Online
The Page School (Florida, USA, Remote) | PAIU | UK College Online
Educational and career journey
Mathematics has been the throughline of my career for over 25 years, and completing my PhD in Cybersecurity at Paris American International University marks the most meaningful milestone yet. After decades teaching calculus, statistics, and computer science across Türkiye, Albania, and Bahrain — and guiding students through AP, IB, A-Level, and SAT preparation — I wanted to deepen my own expertise in Cybersecurity# machine learning and AI and bring that knowledge back into my classrooms and my leadership work. Successfully defending my viva this week feels like the culmination of that journey.
My path has taken me from mathematics teacher to Head of Department, Vice Principal, and school Director, while continuously teaching AP Calculus, AP Statistics, and AP Computer Science Principles to students preparing for university. Alongside my teaching and leadership career, I’ve pursued research in biometric pattern recognition, publishing and presenting on iris recognition technology at international conferences in Turkey, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Albania.
PAIU's contribution to my personal or professional development.
Studying at PAIU gave me the structured academic environment to formalize my growing interest in Cybersecurity, machine learning, and AI — connecting my long-standing research background in pattern recognition with the cutting-edge tools shaping education and technology today. It has strengthened my ability to bring AI literacy into my school and mentor both students and teachers navigating an increasingly AI-driven world.
Starting September 1st, I will take on the role of IB School Director, where I look forward to applying both my educational leadership experience and my new AI expertise to shape a forward-looking academic environment. In the meantime, I continue teaching AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Precalculus, and AP Statistics remotely for The Page School in Florida. My hope is that my journey — from a mathematics classroom to a completed PhD in AI — shows current and future PAIU students that it’s never too late to keep learning, and that curiosity across disciplines can open unexpected doors.
Current Position: Incoming IB School Director (from September 1); Mathematics & Statistics Teacher, The Page School (Florida, USA, Remote); PhD, Cybersecurity, PAIU, Instructor UK College Online