Lessons Learned

Hsinchu International School (HIS) follows the common principles of the Coalition of Essential Schools (CES). One of these principles is the “demonstration of mastery” via the Exhibition. The Exhibition is the public demonstration of student learning. Our 8th and 10th grade students did their Exhibitions this past week before fellow students, faculty, and parents. Next year we will have our first graduating class who will join the other two groups in Exhibition evenings as they move on from Institute I (grades 7 & 8 ) and Institute II (grades 9 & 10).

I was very impressed with our students especially noting that most of them are ESL students who come to HIS with very little experience presenting before an audience. They quickly have opportunity for crafting their presentation skills as HIS students routinely share their learning from their class Expeditions during our twice weekly all school gatherings.

The 8th graders focused their presentations on how they were making progress towards reaching our Five Student Learning Outcomes. They used examples from their classes using images, video, audio recordings and text to document their learning. As one of the Learning Outcomes is “Effective Communicator”, I especially enjoyed how the students used good speaking skills, authentic images and excellent design in their presentations.

Three administrators will join us for our June 12th Shifting Our Schools podcast. We will be seeking to understand why from a leadership position it seems so difficult to shift our schools.  Rick Pierce, Educational consultant, Andy Torris from Shanghai American School and Struan Robinson from International School Bangkok will be our guests.

As I am not an administrator, I am not in a position to comment on this topic from a admin point of view. While Jeff and I have commented numerous times on what is needed to help schools shift, our number one conclusion is that administrators must lead the effort.

I really am looking forward to hearing what Andy and Struan have to say and how Rick might respond. Rick has been working with the leaders of my school, Hsinchu International School, over the past year and a half. Rick’s background as a professor at Penn State University and as an administrator at the Milton Hershey School puts him in position of really understanding how to bring about change and the transition process that follows it.

Rick points out that schools often put their energy into coming up with new programs leading to change but the do not think very much about and plan for the long transition that follows the initial change. The first season of our SOS podcast ends with this very important discussion. It should be a very good one.