Following the 2020 Jingkids International School Expo (JISE) in October this year, which brought together more than 70 schools, daycares, and educational centers, we’d like to acknowledge the people who make those schools and institutions truly great. Many of Beijing’s esteemed international schools submitted their nominations for the Jing Educators Award 2020, celebrating those who dedicate themselves to education, create innovative learning experiences, and maintain outstanding environments for our kids to study in. In this #JingEdAwards series, we’ll share these committed individuals and why they were nominated from now through the end of this year.

The educators in this category lead teachers and students through one of the most important periods in anyone’s educational life: high school. With their diverse international backgrounds, they create engaging curricula that fuse the best of East and West.

Name: Gavin Johnson
Position: Head of Secondary School
School: Beijing Enlighten School

Gavin graduated from the University of Edge Hill in England with a bachelor’s degree in IT and business management and also a post-graduate certificate in Education. He is currently halfway through a master’s degree in educational leadership. Originally from England, Gavin has 19 years of educational experience with 10 of those years being in a school leadership role. He has worked in England, Qatar, and Indonesia, and has spent the past six years in Beijing at international bilingual IB schools.

Gavin believes in fusing local education and international education and has spent his time in leadership developing programs that infuse the best of local knowledge, educational systems, and beliefs with the infrastructure of international education. He believes that although an international education opens many doors for students it is vital that students understand and be proud of their own culture and beliefs and are able to express them in an international setting.

Name: Andrew Leale
Position: Deputy Head
School: Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy

Andrew joined Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy in August 2019 after a long and distinguished career in leading British independent schools. A graduate of Oxford University, where he studied politics, philosophy, and economics, Andrew began his career as a teacher of economics and business. He subsequently fulfilled roles as a head of department, a boarding housemaster, and on the executive leadership team at Tonbridge School in the UK, before joining Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy as international co-principal. In this role, working closely with the executive principal, Christine Xu, he has overseen a highly successful authorization process as an IB Diploma School, has guided a substantial growth of boarding, has enriched the house culture in the school, has developed the school’s program of activities in STEM, the arts, and sport, and has supported the school’s first cohort of GCSE candidates and Grade 12 graduates who have won an outstanding array of places at leading universities across the world.

Unflappably calm in the face of the challenging circumstances of the past 12 months, Andrew has given confidence to students and staff alike as Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy has marched assuredly into the new academic year. Whether greeting students on their arrival at school, addressing staff on positive behavior strategies, or promoting good practice in teaching and learning through his regular hands-on engagement with students and teachers in the classroom, Andrew’s low-key authority and kindly manner make him hugely valued across the Kaiwen community.

Name: Chen Na 陈纳
Position: Director of Junyi Xingxing Education Group, Principal of Junyi Xingxing International School
School: Junyi Xingxing International School

Chen Na graduated from Beijing No. 4 Middle School in 2005 and later acquired a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, having majored in economic mathematics. From 2008 to 2012, she worked for China International Financing Co., Ltd as an analyst in the investment bank department, engaged in listing and mergers for a great number of top domestic enterprises. In 2012, following a call from her inner self, she joined Junyi Xingxing Education Group and became the principal of Junyi Xingxing International School under the umbrella of the group.

Since 2012, she has accomplished the localization of American high school education and the establishment of the junior high and primary departments of Junyi Xingxing International School. In 2018, she received the award for “Most Influential Principal of the Year” from Tencent.

Name: Cathy Wang 王红霞
Position: Secondary School Principal
School: Springboard International Bilingual School (SIBS)

CathyWang joins SIBS Senior Leadership Team as the new Secondary School Principal. Cathy graduated from Dalian Universities of Foreign Languages with a B.A. in English, Liaoning Normal University with a Master’s Degree in Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics. She brings on board six years of experience as a secondary school principal and 15 years of teaching experience. Cathy has worked in three Top 10 public high school international divisions in Beijing, including The Affiliated High School of Peking University, Beijing No.101 High School, and Beijing No.8 High School. She most recently took charge of AP program and worked as Founding Principal of the American Program to develop the combined Curriculum of National, AP, Ontario, and the DMSD (double Mentors and Self-directed) management method in the international division of one of the International school in Tianjin. Cathy is known for her student-centered leadership style, and best practices to instill belief and help students realize potentials.

KEEP READING: Jing Educators Award 2020: Elementary/Middle School Principals

Images: courtesy of the schools

Following the 2020 Jingkids International School Expo (JISE) in October this year, which brought together more than 70 schools, daycares, and educational centers, we’d like to acknowledge the people who make those schools and institutions truly great. Many of Beijing’s esteemed international schools submitted their nominations for the Jing Educators Award 2020, celebrating those who dedicate themselves to education, create innovative learning experiences, and maintain outstanding environments for our kids to study in. In this #JingEdAwards series, we’ll share these committed individuals and why they were nominated.

Name: Zhang Diling 张棣玲
Position: Assistant Principal
School: 3e International School

Ms. Zhang Diling has gained masses of teaching, educational management, and curriculum development experience over the last 15 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in pre-school education from South China Normal University, a master’s of education from Beijing Normal University, and is also a Grade 2 certified National Consultant Psychologist.

Since joining 3e International School in 2011, she has taught from younger pre-kindergarten up to elementary school, providing her with an abundance of enriching teaching experiences. As a senior teacher and leader of 3e International School, she is deeply loved by the children and well respected and recognized by parents. As assistant principal, she helps lead the school to continuously improve the curriculum system, an effort widely recognized in Chaoyang District and in the Beijing international education field. She is also in charge of the synchronization and online teaching of Children’s Psychology, an important pre-school master’s course from Ericsson College.

Name: Ethan Yao 姚宇堃
Position: Elementary and Middle School Deputy Principal of Beijing Xin Fuxue International Academy
School: Beijing Xin Fuxue International Academy

Ethan graduated from Peking University after majoring in Psychology. He was also the leader of the Beijing Science Training team and a coach for the Beijing International Mathematics Competition. Ethan has been engaged in educational and teaching work for more than 10 years. He attaches great importance to the psychological development of students and is good at integrating the psychological characteristics of children into education and teaching. He practices student-oriented education and teaches students according to their strengths. He believes that every child is unique and special. Ethan also highlights innovation in teaching and is always committed to providing children with multi-sensory teaching methods to help children easily learn complex knowledge.

Name: Cynthia Xin 辛玲
Position: Elementary and Middle School Principal of Beijing Xin Fuxue International Academy
School: Beijing Xin Fuxue International Academy

Cynthia Xin holds an MBA degree and has more than 10 years of management experience in fortune global 500 companies and in school operation.

Since the establishment of Beijing Xin Fuxue International Academy (XFA) in 2016, Cynthia has built a diverse team of high-quality teachers using her rich experience in operation and management and has always led the team to seek new breakthroughs. XFA’s educational and teaching achievements have been recognized by the Education Commission on multiple occasions. During the first year it was established, XFA was awarded first prize for “Annual Achievements Exchange and Exhibition of Private Schools 2017” in Shunyi District. Under Cynthia’s leadership, XFA has received increased attention and recognition from parents and the media, including media organizations such as Sina, Tencent, Netease, Beijing Evening News, and China.org.cn. Cynthia attaches great importance to the holistic development of students and is committed to allowing each student the opportunity to show off their talents, so as to cultivate self-motivation and encourage sustainable development.

Name: Kim Fisher
Position: Primary School Deputy Principal
School: HD Beijing School

Ms. Kim Fisher grew up in South Africa, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She has 12 years preparatory school teaching experience in London and has been deputy head at HD Beijing School for the last three years. She is inspired by the resilience and creative ability to “think outside of the box” of the children she teaches every day and is passionate about ensuring that children feel safe, confident, and happy.

A rigorous and dedicated principal, Kim insists on being in the classroom every day to understand students’ learning needs, and guides teachers to create personalized learning experiences. She is passionate about creating innovative ways to make learning engaging and accessible for all students and is committed to leading dynamic and collaborative communities of learning.

Name: Chang Lihua
Position: Primary School Principal
School: HD Beijing School

Ms. Chang has been called the “Rafe Esquith of China” by the media. In her 27 years of teaching, she has won the trust of students and parents with her motto, “education is nothing but dedication, wholeheartedly.” Her book was recommended by the Ministry of Education for middle and primary school libraries. She is the chief editor for the school’s integrated courses curriculum and won the 2017 Whole Person Education Award. Ms. Chang was named one of the top ten influential people driving national reading and was the director of the curriculum research institute at Yizhuang Elementary School.

Ms. Chang believes in nurturing globalized Chinese citizens that have deep roots in their own heritage and advocates an “integrated Chinese curriculum” that promotes interdisciplinary and experiential learning. While stimulating children’s interest and enthusiasm through real-life learning, the integrated Chinese curriculum also aims to develop solid academic capabilities. She believes that good education helps children develop all-round capabilities that enable them to succeed in the future. As a principal, she is closely involved in teaching and teachers’ training on a daily basis in order to ensure academic quality. She attaches great importance to establishing a common culture in the classroom, because she believes that “on campus, education exists in the air.”

KEEP READING: Jing Educators Award 2020: Math Educators

Images: courtesy of the schools

Beijing BISS International School’s elementary school is welcoming a new principal. Kyra Gailis. Originally from Ocala, Florida, Gailis formerly worked as an elementary teacher, Primary Year Program (PYP) coordinator, associate director and head of lower school at the International School of Latvia.

Gailis has a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a Master’s of Education in international school administration.

Because of her extensive international experiences, Gailis maintains a global mindset and believes in the importance of understanding and embracing local cultures. In addition to her native English, Gailis speaks fluent Latvian, some Russian, and intends to tackle Mandarin next.