How Aisha Bissembayeva Built a Teaching Career Across Continents

For Aisha Bissembayeva, teaching began long before she stepped into her own classroom.

While earning her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences in Kazakhstan, she spent years tutoring students and leading small-group lessons. Those experiences showed her how much she enjoyed helping students understand difficult concepts and build confidence in their abilities. Looking back on those early years, Bissembayeva said she discovered that teaching felt like a natural fit.

“I had that feeling. I love teaching and helping students figure things out.”

After graduation, however, her career took a different direction. She accepted a position with an international renewable energy company. The work connected to her science background, but teaching remained an interest she never completely left behind. When she later moved to the United States and began teaching in North Carolina, she knew she wanted to make education her long-term profession. To do that, she needed a teaching license.

Today, Bissembayeva teaches biology to students in grades 9-12 at a public charter school in North Carolina, including honors and Advanced Placement courses.

Finding the Right Program

Bissembayeva began researching educator preparation programs through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website, carefully reviewing approved options. After comparing several universities, she chose Moreland University.

“I went one by one through the universities and just ended up with Moreland. I’m so happy with my choice,” she said.

The enrollment process felt straightforward from the beginning. After submitting her application, she connected with a Moreland representative who walked her through the program, certification pathway, and payment options. Affordability also influenced her decision.

“The payment option was one of the helpful strategies. Paying every month wasn’t offered by other universities,” she explained.

Earning Two Credentials at Once

At first, Bissembayeva planned to pursue teacher certification. As she explored her options, she realized she could earn both a teaching license and a master’s degree within a relatively short timeframe.

“I thought that I can spend the same amount of time and get even my master’s,” she recalled.

The online format allowed her to continue teaching while completing coursework, and the additional master’s courses aligned with goals she had already begun considering for the future. Her school’s tuition reimbursement program also helped support the decision.

“That’s why I decided immediately to start my studies,” she shared.

Balancing School, Work, and a New Baby

Working full time while completing graduate coursework requires planning and discipline. Then came an unexpected development.

“Once I started the program, I learned that I’m pregnant also. That was another surprise,” Bissembayeva said.

During the following months, she balanced teaching, assignments, clinical requirements, and preparation for motherhood. She credits the program’s structure with helping her stay on track.

“The program was dedicated for working teachers,” she noted.

As her due date approached, she worked with instructors to complete requirements ahead of schedule. After giving birth, she took a short break before returning to finish the master’s portion of the program. When reflecting on that period, Bissembayeva pointed to the flexibility she received from instructors.

“They said they could give me any duration of break if I needed it,” she shared.

Still, she wanted to finish what she started. Bissembayeva completed her master’s degree in August 2025.

Bringing New Ideas into the Classroom

One area that stood out during the program was learning how to support students with different learning needs and backgrounds.

“We learned about diverse learners, diverse environments, and inclusive learning,” Bissembayeva said.

She also explored classroom management, lesson planning, and ways to make lessons more engaging through activities, stations, and student-centered instruction. Many of those lessons found their way into her biology classroom.

“We learned a huge amount within one year. All of these were helpful,” she said.

Today, she uses a wider range of instructional approaches and looks for ways to engage students through different learning experiences. Most importantly, she sees the impact in her classroom.

“I see there’s some progress in my students. Basically, I learned a lot,” she added.

Looking Ahead

Completing a master’s degree did not mark the end of Bissembayeva’s academic goals. In fact, it reinforced her interest in continuing her education.

“I’m thinking even later about applying for a PhD because I love studying,” she said.

Her master’s degree in educational technology introduced her to new tools and teaching approaches, and she continues to consider how she can expand her knowledge and skills in the future.

For educators considering graduate school, her advice is simple: “We should always learn and keep learning.”

Why She Recommends Moreland

Since completing the program, Bissembayeva has referred two colleagues to Moreland. Her recommendation comes from firsthand experience balancing work, family responsibilities, and graduate coursework.

“There is no need to stop your work. You can work and at the same time do your studies,” she said.

Today, Bissembayeva teaches biology students across four high school grade levels in North Carolina. The path that brought her there included a move from Kazakhstan, a career change, a teaching license, a master’s degree, and the birth of her child. Through each stage, she continued working toward the next goal.

That persistence is what she hopes other educators take from her story.

“Everything is changing so rapidly nowadays, and we should keep learning at any age,” Bissembayeva said. “I think that’s the message I would say to others.”

Start Your Own Story

While every educator’s journey is different, professional growth often starts with a single step.

If you’re considering earning your teaching certification or master’s degree or both, Moreland University’s flexible online master’s degree programs can help you build the skills and credentials to move forward in your educational career.