Written by Brendan McGibbon Mr. McGibbon teaches music and design innovation at UWC ISAK Japan. He is also our activities coordinator. Our Grade 10 ‘Leading with Others’ class (also known as Design Innovation) is all about creating sustainable change! As far as I know, this course is unique to UWC ISAK Japan and I’m really… [Read More]
A Self-Transforming School
Written by Dr Alex McGregor, Deputy Head of School There is an old joke about the French Baccalaureate that might resonate with many of our own school experiences. The teacher marks your essay on a 1 – 20 grading scale. 15/20 is your best ever grade, 16/20 is for the best student in the class,… [Read More]
Leadership Begins with Awareness
In this week’s Faculty Voices, Ms Tsurumi, coordinator of the leadership program at UWC ISAK Japan, examines the relationship between leadership and awareness. When something doesn’t go your way, how do you respond? Kick the door hard? Shout? Take a breath? Walk away and come back to it when you are more calm? As change… [Read More]
School-Supported Self-Taught Language Courses at UWC ISAK Japan
Written by Ms. Yaling Chien Ms. Chien teaches Mandarin, Chinese Literature, and SSST. She is also the IBDP Coordinator for UWC ISAK Japan. The IB has a policy of mother-tongue entitlement that promotes respect for the literary heritage of a student’s home language and provides an opportunity for students to continue to develop oral and… [Read More]
Chance, Risk and Strategy
Written by Dr. Alexander McGregor, Deputy Head of School Roulette is a game of chance. Chess is a game of strategy. Alligator wrestling is a sport of risk. Risk, ironically, is a game of strategy. Around this time of the academic year, schools collate predicted grades for their students in Grade 12. Predicted grades anticipate… [Read More]
Leadership at UWC ISAK Japan
In this issue of Faculty Voices, Ms Tsurumi, who coordinates the leadership program at the school, talks about what it means to be a leader. What do you think of when you hear the word “Leader”? Often times, we think of CEOs, Presidents, and charismatic figures who mobilize large groups of people towards a certain… [Read More]
The Tension of Choice
Written by Dr. Alex McGregor, Deputy Head of School If you ever fall into conversation with a UWC teacher they’ll probably tell you that advocating for student choice is the single most important thing a school can do. Student choice may be an essential ingredient in meeting our mission but that doesn’t mean it’s a… [Read More]