Aramco Brat, Amalia Walther, Returns Again to Teach in Dhahran School
- Community
- Aramco Brats
Author: Amalia Walther
Released 10 October 2004
Amalia Walthers
Photograph Contributed by Costa Yiannakakis
Our new kindergarten teacher, Amalia Walther, comes to us from Tucson, Arizona (where it is a dry heat). She may look familiar to some of you. Actually, Amalia just can't seem to stay away from Arabia...
Believe it or not, Amalia grew up in Ras Tanura. Her father, Al Yiannakakis, was the manager of maintenance of the refinery and terminal. She is a real product of the Aramco Schools’ system and is thankful for her idyllic childhood. Memories of sailing, swim teams, donkey baseball and hanging out at the Surf House in the Teen Canteen are often discussed at the Aramco Brat reunions she attends. (She is from the class of '68 but doesn't want you to do the math.)
Upon graduating from the University of Arizona with a degree in elementary education (minor in early childhood), Amalia returned to Dhahran as a kindergarten teacher. She had a terrific beginning of her career in the best school system in the world! While she lived and worked in Dhahran, she took advantage of the masters degree program offered by the University of Oklahoma and received a Masters in Elementary Education.
Amalia worked as an Aramco dollar hire for 10 years. During this time, she met the very handsome and charming Ron Walther (she is biased) who was working in the Communications Department. They were married at her family's home on the Greek island of Syros. Amalia then spent three years teaching kindergarten and second grade for SAIS out at the Dhahran Consulate.
Amalia and Ron had a dream while they were in Arabia. Their employment there helped to make it come true. Upon Ron's retirement from ARAMCO, they bought a 36-foot sailboat, named it DESERT DREAM and sailed the Caribbean Chain for three years. It was a wonderful life full of adventure.
Amalia Yiannakakis as a Child
Photograph Contributed by Costa Yiannakakis
After leaving the sailing life, Amalia and Ron moved to Tucson, Arizona, where Amalia held her teaching certificate. She began working for the Marana Unified School District teaching kindergarten and first grade.
The Walthers happily settled into the desert lifestyle again. Their family expanded by two... that is... two little dachshunds, Fritz and Heidi. They are their precious babies who make them laugh daily with their antics. They also became U of A Wildcat Fans, enjoyed hiking in the mountains, golfing, reading and napping in their pool.
During this summer, Amalia heard that ARAMCO needed teachers. She and Ron discussed it and decided, "WHY NOT?!" Amalia couldn't wait to return to the outstanding teaching and learning situation ARAMCO offers.