Making the Right Professional Decision

Transcription

1 Our Vision Inspiring Excellence; Encouraging Compassion; Creating Leaders Our Mission The American International School of Lusaka (AISL) is a diverse community that embraces Zambian and global perspectives to inspire students to achieve academic excellence and become successful, life- long learners and leaders who are concident, compassionate, well rounded, responsible world citizens. Making the Right Professional Decision Making a change in career, school and home is a critical decision for you and, if you have a partner and/or children, your family. Since AISL considers faculty to be our most valuable asset, this decision is critical for our school as well. There are many quality international schools and communities around the world, and there are also many talented and dedicated international educators. Consequently, the issue is not about finding a good school as much as it is about finding the right school that offers a vision, program and professional learning community that is aligned with your educational beliefs and values. This document is designed to provide you with important information about the American International School of Lusaka together with an understanding of AISL s beliefs and values about teaching and learning. The information presented addresses four essential questions: What makes AISL special? What does learning look like at AISL? What does Lusaka have to offer? Is AISL the right fit for me?

2 WHAT MAKES AISL SO SPECIAL? The United States Embassy established AISL in AISL is truly an international school serving 580 students, age 2-19, representing more than 45 nationalities. The AISL faculty is made up of 17 nationalities and is deeply committed to helping students become responsible world citizens. AISL is accredited by two school accreditation organizations- The Council of International Schools (CIS) and The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA). AISL is an IB World School and is authorized to administer the Primary Years Programme (Early Learning Center to Grade 5), the Middle Years Programme (Grades 6-10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11 and 12). AISL students have an opportunity to earn an American High School Diploma and an International Baccalaureate Diploma. AISL is the first school in Africa to implement a one-to-one Ipad Program. AISL offers Special Educational Needs (SEN) that includes programming in Learning Support. English as an Additional Language (EAL), and Enrichment. AISL offers a comprehensive school guidance/counseling program that consists social/emotional counseling, personal and social education, and college/university counseling. AISL focuses on supporting the development of the whole child and offers a robust extracurricular program consisting of sport, visual and performing arts and community service. AISL has a strong tradition of establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with Zambian schools and social service organizations in an effort to make a positive difference in the local community. AISL has a robust professional development budget that supports visiting presenters and workshop leaders, the hosting of IB workshops, on-line coursework, attendance at conferences that support school wide priorities, and attendance at IB PYP, IB MYP, and IB DP workshops. AISL is a leading member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA). This association provides AISL faculty members with quality professional development opportunities while promoting connections among schools located in Zambia and sub-saharan Africa.

3 WHAT DOES LEARNING LOOK LIKE AT AISL? Our Students: Value the importance of the 3 R s can describe learning goals, essential questions, and assessment criteria for a task, unit and/or course; can explain what they are learning, why they are learning it and how they can apply what they are learning beyond the four walls of the classroom, RESPECT YOURSELF RESPECT OTHERS RESPECT THE SCHOOL AND THE COMMUNITY have opportunities to generate their own questions, share their ideas and perspectives, and develop solutions to address problems; use established criteria/rubrics to guide and revise their work and as a basis for self and peer assessment; work together in collaboration, making meaningful contributions to the work of the group and sharing responsibility for outcomes; utilize a variety of technologies to locate information, acquire skills and demonstrate understanding; engage in meaningful experiences (sports, community service and the virtual/performing arts) beyond the four walls of the classroom; and, are assessed and evaluated for effort as well as for achievement. Our Teachers: Inform students of learning goals, essential questions, and assessment criteria for a task, unit and/or course; address topics in depth helping students to develop deep understandings that go beyond the acquisitions of just knowledge and skills; help students establish connections between what they are learning and their own life experiences; establish and maintain appropriately high standards while helping students achieve their academic and personal potential; treat all students equitably, fairly and respectfully; share their own interests and passion for learning with students; use thinking routines, questioning techniques, wait time and feedback to encourage learners to think more deeply about their learning; use formative assessments to check for understanding and to determine student learning needs; design and use criterion-based summative assessments to collect evidence of student learning and understanding. provide regular and meaningful feedback to parents and students about student s effort, progress and achievement; use student learning results and assessment data to inform instruction; utilize technology tools to help students locate information, acquire skills and demonstrate understanding; contribute to the life of the school by leading meaningful and engaging learning experiences (field trips, sports trips, community service, the arts) beyond the classroom; and show a commitment to continuous improvement and to their own professional growth and development. OUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY IS CHARACTERIZED BY: SHARED NORMS AND VALUES A FOCUS ON STUDENT LEARNING REFLECTIVE DIALOGUE; AND COLLABORATION Consequently, we all: Keep current on child development, learning theory and best practice in education and classroom teaching; implement a range of interconnected approaches to teaching and learning that include: Differentiated instruction Technology integration Assessment for learning Backwards design; and Examining and moderating student work commit to developing a partnership with parents to help our students achieve their potential; take on leadership roles and share expertise whenever possible; and share a commitment to the environment by reducing, reusing and recycling.

4 WHAT DOES LUSAKA HAVE TO OFFER? Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. One of the fastest developing cities in Southern Africa, Lusaka is located in the southern part of the central plateau at an elevation of about 1,300 metres (4,265 feet). As of 2010, the city's population is about 1.7 million. Lusaka is the centre of both commerce and government in Zambia. Zambia has experienced political stability for the past two decades. English is the official language of the city, but Nyanja, and Bemba are also common. (Wikipedia) If you re out to experience the real Africa, Zambia is that diamond in the rough. The country boasts some of the continent s best safari parks, and shares (with Zimbabwe) some of the region s major highlights: Victoria Falls in southwestern Zambia, Lake Kariba as well as Lower Zambezi National Park in southeastern Zambia. It is also an angler s dream, as fishermen hail from all over the world to try their luck on the mighty Zambezi River with the hopes of landing a toothy tigerfish or the rare, giant vundu. Avid birders also flock to Zambia to glimpse its fabulous diversity of birds, most notably Chaplin s barbets. (Lonely Planet) AISL has world-class facilities located on 23 acres of beautifully manicured gardens in the African countryside. The facility includes 42 classrooms, 3 swimming pools, a Performing Arts Center, 3 computer labs, an Early Learning Center and a purpose-built Gymnasium. Three modern secondary science labs were opened in August In all of its natural beauty, Lusaka, Zambia is still a part of the developing world and with that comes challenges. Be prepared for occasional power cuts and/or surges, an inconsistent Internet connection, things not always working, instances of petty theft, and a slower pace of life. Quality primary health care is readily accessible. AISL provides professional educators with a membership to a local international standard clinic, an international healthcare policy (TIE), and medical evacuation insurance. As a general guide, professional educators live in comfortable housing, own a vehicle, travel widely and stay for a quite a few years. Is AISL the right 3it for me? Only you can answer this question. We have attempted to capture the spirit, the expectations and the daily reality of working at AISL and living in Lusaka. If what you have read reclects your values and beliefs as a professional educator and a person, then we would love to speak with you about the value you could add to the experience of AISL students. AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF LUSAKA P O Box , Lusaka, Zambia Tel: /10 Fax: E mail: ais@aislusaka.org

5

6