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Our Obligation
It was one of those emails that catch your attention. Mauricio, then a fifteen-year-old student in a Brazilian school, sent an elegantly worded statement about how he taught himself English so that he could realize his dream of attending a university in the United States. Mauricio had been studying our website and, as he believed…
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Struggle & Triumph
“The most important thing is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” ~ Olympic Creed During this recent school break, I had the good fortune to spend…
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Fun Run
Go fast enough to get there, but slow enough to see. ~ Jimmy Buffett. There is something special about the early morning in Brasilia. Birds welcome the dawning light with joyous melodies, the vast and magnificent blue sky instills a spirit of optimism and possibility, and fresh air invigorates the mind and body. It was…
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Envisioning a True Leader
Kristie Da-Ngoc Nguyen, a friend and former colleague at the American School of Brasilia, published her deeply profound and moving personal story in the most recent edition of The International Educator (TIE) newspaper. Kristie’s article is shared below, with permission. Envisioning a True Leader By Kristie Da-Ngoc Nguyen 01/13/2016 “Together we inspire a love of learning, empowering all students…
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One Resolution at a Time
The start of a new year also brings with it a deluge of advice and commitments to guide our resolutions. Mick Walsh, author and coach, believes that most new year resolutions are not fulfilled because they are too short-term in nature (i.e. knee-jerk remedies) and more focused on meeting the expectations of others rather than our…
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Gratitude
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” William Arthur Ward. The end of another school semester brings with it so many exciting events, including sports tournaments, musical and theatrical performances, Model United Nations (MUN), community service projects, art displays, and parent workshops, to name…
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A Better Tomorrow
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. International news reports in recent weeks and months have been filled with disturbing reports of terror attacks, refugee migration, acts of aggression, and indescribable loss and suffering. Our hearts…
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Teachers’ Day
“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” ~ Carl Jung. Teachers’ Day is celebrated in Brazil on…
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Moving Pictures
Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit. ~ Jawaharlal Nehru The process of capturing and effectively communicating the essence of an organization’s culture can, at times, be a challenge. However, social media and video provide us with the means to share organizational and cultural highlights with a great community. To that end, the following…
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Bold in Vision
“Use your unique gifts and talents to make a difference in the world.” Lailah Gifty Akita. After a yearlong review process, involving regular feedback and contributions from parents, students, and teachers through surveys, retreats, and focus group meetings, the American School of Brasilia’s new mission statement was officially introduced at the start of this school…