Daniel K. Rubenstein joins the International School of Beijing (ISB) community after leading Prospect Schools in New York City, a network of schools he founded in 2007. Daniel has been a math teacher and leader at Collegiate School (New York), Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.), SEED Public Charter School (Washington, D.C.), and School Year Abroad Beijing. He won the 2002 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching, and his work has been covered in media including Nightline, PBS, Education Next, and USA Today. Daniel joined ISB as Head of School in 2021. His wife, Melanie Fischer, an artist, came to Beijing with the couple’s two children, Celia (17) and Morton (14), this year from Brooklyn, New York.

Welcome to the ‘Jing! What made you decide to come to Beijing and join International School of Beijing (ISB)?

I’ve known about ISB for years. My closest friend works in international affairs in Washington, D.C. and his wife is an ISB graduate also working in international affairs. They really sold us on the amazing opportunities at ISB, from the academic program to the incredible co-curricular and extra-curricular offerings. As a family, Melanie and I wanted a world-class international education for our children in a city with rich Chinese culture, language, and history. Our daughter is a senior this year, so it was now or never. There is no better place than ISB!

What might your personal motto be when it comes to shaping future generations? 

A critical component of education for young learners all the way to Grade 12 is finding your passion. That means having lots of opportunities to try a wide range of academic and non-academic activities to really find out what you love and where you can excel. Finding your voice on the pitch, gym, stage, or studio is what I see as critical to building character and personal development.

What are you most looking forward to doing here in Beijing? 

For our family, we love getting to know the history and culture of Beijing, but most importantly doing that through getting to meet and form close friendships with long-time Beijingers. The people you meet here in Beijing are what makes the experience really worth it.

What are your family’s first impressions of Beijing? 

We love the city so far. Beijing is one of the few major world cities where you can learn a top five world language, be surrounded by ancient history and culture, and have a high standard of living and safety. It is one of the better places in the world to raise kids.

What are your favorite things about Beijing so far? 

We love having locals show us some of the off the beaten track portions of Beijing. We’ve been to an amazing acrobatics school, seen some hidden gems in the hutongs and went to an equestrian show. Since Melanie is an artist, we’ve been getting more involved in the local art scene. We recently saw the unbelievable show at UCCA, “Somewhere Downtown,” art from 1980s New York.

What are you reading these days? 

I just finished Braised Pork by An Yu (ISB alumni, Class of 2011).

KEEP READING: ISB Couple Share What It’s Like Living and Working Together

Images: Courtesy of ISB

Tom Egerton was born in Australia and spent his formative years in Papua New Guinea before relocating to Australia. A practical teaching experience in Fiji and commonwealth teacher exchange in England instilled in him the desire to become an international educator. Since then, over a period of twenty-eight years, Tom has served schools in Australia, Singapore, The Philippines, Myanmar and Germany as a teacher, principal and head of school. Tom has a Bachelor of Education and two Masters degrees in education.

The guiding principles that have remained consistent in Tom’s view of education are that all children have the right to realise their potential and can best do so when learning within a community that celebrates diversity. His fundamental belief in the capacity of all to learn from and with each other drives the ways in which he chooses to work in international education.

Outside of school, Tom enjoys learning about new cultures, reading and keeping fit. He also enjoys playing tennis, touch rugby, golf and squash. Tom is married and has three daughters living in Brisbane.

Welcome to the ‘Jing! What made you decide to come to Beijing and join Beijing City International School (BCIS)?

The reputation of the school, its mission and vision and the warm, caring community.

What might your personal motto be when it comes to shaping future generations? 

Work out what you like and are good at and go for it. Be kind, always.

What are you most looking forward to doing here in Beijing? 

Exploring the hutongs, bike riding and golf courses.

What are your first impressions of Beijing? 

It’s very easy to get around on the bike and subway, plus there’s the convenience of so many different apps for everyday living.

What are your favorite things about Beijing so far? 

Cycling, hiking, especially in Shijingshan park, the food and people.

What are you reading these days? 

“Lessons” by Ian McEwan

KEEP READING: ISB Couple Share What It’s Like Living and Working Together

Images: Courtesy of Tom Egerton

Robert Skupien and Rosalyn Thomas both work at the International School of Beijing (ISB). They first met on a Great Wall hike in 2014, and share a love of Chinese culture, food, travel and the outdoors!

What are the challenges of working and living together, and what are the best parts?

Rob: This is our first year working at the same place, with Ros joining me at ISB from her previous school. We haven’t experienced many challenges of working together so far, although we work in different departments so don’t cross paths that often! Maybe ask me again in a year……. As for living together, we love our hutong home downtown, which we share with our dog. Challenges include who walks the dog in the morning before we take the staff school-bus, it usually ends up being me!

What’s on your minds these days?

Rob: I love life here in Beijing, however having family visit or being able to travel home is often on my mind. ISB is incredibly supportive around helping staff with home travel, and I look forward to getting back to the UK next summer without too much hassle.

Ros: Very similar to Rob, being able to see family and friends outside of the country has been on my mind a lot. We enjoy our life here and are very lucky, but we would love to be able to share that with our family and friends.

What motivates you?

Rob: Blue sky days! Beijing has many more of these now than it used to, and every season here is great with better air quality.

Ros: I’d say friends in Beijing, work, our dog, and the great things that Beijing has to offer.

How do you maintain your mental health?

Rob: Being a PE teacher and a fan of staying active, Beijing offers plenty of options for keeping busy and socializing through sport. I take care of myself by filling weekends with playing football (soccer), getting out to the Beijing countryside or using Beijing’s indoor climbing walls! 

Ros: Trying to get out and about for walks along the river or around the hutong with our dog. As much as possible, and when possible, exploring Beijing and trying to appreciate what we have access to. Creating healthy routines and hobbies, such as learning Chinese, has also been important!

What are your favorite things about Beijing?

Both: We love cycling around the city, walking around the hutongs, going to Hou Hai lake, and the great historical walking tours and cooking classes on offer. The main thing we love about Beijing is that it has so many layers- you think you have discovered the main parts, but then you chat to friends or colleagues, and read articles on Wechat, you realize you have barely scratched the surface on how much Beijing has to offer!

KEEP READING: Jason Reagin Returns to Beijing After 20 Years to Work at WAB

Images: Courtesy of Robert Skupien & Rosalyn Thomas