-
Learning Beyond the Classroom: Reflections from the Himalayas
This September, I had the privilege of spending nine days in the Himalayas with nineteen ISZL students and three teachers as part of our Personal Development Week (PDW). What unfolded was not simply a trip, but a journey into history, culture, resilience, and, above all, human connection. From walking the ancient trails of the Silk…
-
Our Strategic Direction
We remain dedicated to advancing ISZL with a clear and purposeful focus, driven by our Mission and Vision, which are central to everything we do. These core principles shape our Objectives and Key Results (OKR) strategy, enabling us to adapt swiftly to rapid changes in technology, education, and society. Developed through community feedback last year, here is an overview…
-
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…
-
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…
-
More Than Words
Learners inspiring learners to be inquisitive in life, principled in character, and bold in vision. A little over a year ago, our community embarked on a journey of reflection and self-examination as we conducted a review of our school’s mission statement and associated core documents. As with most meaningful endeavors, it was recognized at the…
-
Innovation and Creativity
I am writing this week’s article from 44G, my assigned seat on the plane returning me to Brasilia. It has been nearly two weeks since I departed from Brazil to attend a series of international teacher recruitment fairs, planning meetings, conferences, professional development workshops, and school visits. As with any professional trip of this nature,…
-
Serendipitous Connections
We all experience those days when our schedules seem to demand more of our time than hours are available in the day. It is often these same days when we feel most focused, effective, and efficient, especially in terms of completing our “to do” lists. It is also common during these times to engage in…
-
Mission-Driven Learning
“Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche. The ‘why’ highlighted by Nietzsche is equated, in schools, to foundational documents, such as mission statements. These essential documents act as guiding principles for all facets of education, ranging from day-to-day instructional approaches, to business office and human resource…
-
Performance, Not Results?
Last weekend, I had the good fortune and honor to host professional triathlete Tim Don at my home during his four-day visit to Brasilia to compete in Sunday’s 70.3 Ironman triathlon (Race Highlights). Since I was also training for the race, I was particularly enthusiastic about spending time with a triathlete who won four world titles, represented…
-
The Power of Habit
The Power of Habit Did you know that we conduct 45% of our daily actions with little to no thought? Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, highlights extensive brain research that explains how nearly half of our actions are habitual and not necessarily…